The Life of Virtue

Thoughts and opinions are already flying about in regard to the impending motu proprio document from Pope Benedict XVI that will allow expanded use of the "old Latin Mass," also known as the Tridentine Rite. Without a doubt, more thoughts and opinions will be elicited and proclaimed after the document (along with a letter of explanation) is made public. Thus, this particular column may get lost in the shuffle of all the other ruminations on the subject. Dr. Robert Moynihan, editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican Magizine , wrote an excellent article that covers the topic . In the following passage, Moynihan reminded readers of the central issue(s) behind the publication of this document and its obvious effects. Some would see the Holy Father’s interest in the old Mass as a matter of cultural taste. His desire for a wider use of the old rite in Latin is seen as something comparable to his interest in classical music. For these people, the issue is often reduced to a questio...

St. Cyril of Alexandria was born in the last quarter of the fourth century (probably A.D. 376) in a suburb of Alexandria, Egypt. His uncle, Theophilus, was the archbishop of that city and ordained Cyril to the priesthood. And, from A.D. 403, when he participated in the synod that deposed St. John Chrysostom, he remained in the public eye until he passed on to his eternal reward in A.D. 444. The historical record has shown St. Cyril in both critical and benevolent lights. Some patristics scholars and Church historians remember him as the forceful young priest and theologian who maintained and overt bias against St. John Chrysostom. Some remember him as an archbishop characterized by a "forcefulness that at times became overbearing." Some remember him as the cleric who closed Novation churches in Alexandria and "drove all the Jews" from that same place." Most remember him as the primary actor in the drama that emerged between the Catholic Church and Nestorius, th...

On Sunday, which happened to be my first Father's Day, I remarked to my wife that I never believed I could love someone so much as I love my newborn son. As I walked away, though, another though came to me. No doubt it was the power of the Holy Spirit. I realized that I must love someone more than I love my son, even if I do not know how that might be possible. That Someone is Jesus, the Eternal Son. Without giving all of myself to Him, I will find little "success" or happiness as a new father (or an old father). As much as I love my five-day-old son and his beautiful mother, I recognize that I will only find joy in my earthly fatherhood if I remember my spiritual childhood and the Father who adopted me through Baptism. Please continue to pray for my young son who (other than Christ) is the light of my life, my wife as she continues to recover, and me. God Bless.

This month's word is inspired by a recent event in my own walk with Christ. On Sunday, I was blessed with an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why was it such a blessing? Because I had not received the graces from that Sacrament in three or four weeks (so long, I forgot how long it had been). With nearly a month's worth of spiritual funk to clean, I confessed my sins to the priest, and he provided me with one of humanity's greatest blessings, about which I write today. The Catholic Word of the Month for June is ABSOLUTION . In Catholic Beliefs from A to Z , Fr. Alfred McBride says the following: "After the confession of sins in the sacrament of reconciliation, the penitent hears the priest [speaking in the person of Christ] recite the words of absolution from sins. Through the ministry of the priest, divine forgiveness enfolds the penitent, bringing freedom from sin and new graces to help the person continue the journey to salvation with rene...

I just had to share what I believe is a phenomenal statistic. In recent months, the bishop of our diocese has been hard at work completing the Christian initiation of nearly 900 teenagers. That's right, 858 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Memphis this year ! I pray that these young people will avail themselves of the grace that God offers them in this most wonderful sacrament. I pray that they will also recognize that their formation in Christ does not end once they receive the sacrament; that they will not view it as a "Catholic graduation" of sorts. I pray that these youth will become humble workers in the Lord's vineyard, and I will be glad to work alongside them. God Bless.

Earlier this week, while I was engaged in The Great Adventure Bible Study , a question was posed to the facilitator. The question, which was quite valid, was one of those that makes you shake and/or scratch your head. So intriguing was it that the classmates spent ten to fifteen minutes discussing the possible answers; and it inspired me to write this reflection. What was this valid, intriguing, and debatable question? Why did God create a male and female of each animal species (obviously, the Creator knew the necessity of procreation) but only create Adam initially? Given the necessity of procreation, why would God not create man and woman at the same moment in time? It is a fascinating thing to ponder! As soon as the question was posed, our class was on a quest for Truth. Surely God had something to reveal other than the chronological patterns of His creation. Surely He did not mean for people to believe that one sex is superior to the other because of the order of creation. ...