During the early nineteenth century, the idea of Catholics uniting to defend the Church was a novelty. The notion met with opposition from even the best quarters of French society. The bishops and the vast majority of the clergy did not support establishing a Catholic Party. The laity viewed Count Montalembert’s efforts … Read more
“Buona Sera!”—“Good Evening!” With this commonplace greeting, devoid of any solemnity or unction, Pope Francis addressed the thousands of faithful waiting in Saint Peter’s Square for their newly-elected pope. These words set the style of his pontificate: informality, abandonment of protocol and disdain for ceremony. Ten years later, recently deceased George Cardinal … Read more
On July 6, Saint John Bosco told some people about his dream involving a red horse. He said: “I had a strange dream where I was together with the Marchioness di Barolo, and we were walking on a little square that opened into a large plain. I could see the young men … Read more
The prism of death often provides an excellent perspective to influence how to live. Thus, the book Life Stories of Dying Penitents or Sick Calls from the Diary of a Missionary Priest invites the reader to make serious, profound, hopeful and tragic reflections. Originally published in the late nineteenth century, the book … Read more
The Count of Montalembert learned much from his experience in the first battle for the freedom of education. One lesson was that defending Church interests required unified action. Such unity was difficult since the Catholic public was completely disoriented. France’s various forms of government between 1789 and 1830 had given rise to … Read more
Saint Anthony Mary Claret was one of the greatest saints the world has ever seen. He was an apostle par excellence, preaching and prophesying everywhere he went. He zealously defended Papal rights and fought against the errors of his time, especially liberalism and communism. Much can be said of this extraordinary saint. … Read more
The crisis of Faith among Canadian Catholics was readily apparent, as the results from the 2021 census recently revealed: In just ten years, nearly 2 million Canadian Catholics left the Church. That’s a decline from 12.8 million Catholics in 2011 to 10.9 Catholics in 2021. While these statics are tragic, it underscores … Read more
Among the many miraculous images of the Mother of God through which she deigns to grant her favors, there is one in the monastery church of the Carmelites in Vienna, entitled the Mother of Grace, or Our Lady of Grace, also known as Our Lady of the Bowed Head. In 1610 a … Read more
Although eggs are ordinary and simple, a Ukrainian art form transforms them from a mundane breakfast item to a sublime masterpiece worthy of kings. This talent of etching or painting an egg is called pysanky. The art is full of symbolism related to Easter and many Catholic principles. Before the Ukrainians converted … Read more
Recently, my fellow TFP volunteer, Jonathan Marin and I, made a trip down to Chesapeake, Virginia, about an hour’s drive from the historic Jamestown settlement. The reason for our trip was not to visit this historic site. Instead, we came to join a group of local Catholics in opposing the sinister After … Read more