If being apathetic is wrong, then I don't care.

Memo to a certain Medjugorje adherent who is attacking skeptics (again)

Relax. Settle down. Be at peace.


There's no need to obsess the way you are over what a tiny handful of people may think about Medjugorje. If some, like I, doubt that it's an authentic apparition, so what? Why does that rob you of your peace? Your most recent behavior indicates that you are unsettled, anxious, and worried about the fact that some are skeptical about Medjugorje. This turmoil and defensiveness exhibited in your recent public comments is not from the Holy Spirit.


Pause, take a deep breath, and ponder these words from Scripture:

“If this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:38-39)

Please remember that this passage is just as important for you as it is for anyone who doubts Medjugorje. Think about that. Just pray for God's will to be done in this matter.


And then, spend some time thinking prayerfully about this wise advice from Saint Teresa of Avila:



“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing afright you.
Nothing is wanting in whom God possesses.
God alone suffices.
All things are passing.
God never ceases.
Patient endurance attains all things.”

Election day is almost here. Are you ready to vote with a clear conscience?

Tom Bosley, R.I.P.

The affable dad on “Happy Days” died today at 83 from lung cancer. May he rest in peace. He entertained millions of people with his acting, myself included.


I recall when “Happy Days” debuted on TV in 1974. That's the year I started high school, and watching Richie, Fonzie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie was "must see TV" (to coin a phrase) for me and my whole family each week. I always liked Mr. Bosley's Howard Cunningham character — A.K.A. "Mr. C." His calm, avuncular, and wise persona was almost grandfatherly. Let's all pray for the repose of his soul, that the Lord will grant him an eternity of happy days in His presence.

Do you recognize this face?

That's my buddy and brother in Christ, Marcus Grodi, the founder and president of the Coming Home Network, which for over 15 years has been helping Protestant clergy converts come home to the Catholic Church (hence the organization's name). 


Anyway, I'm going to have the privilege and joy of joining Marcus, my bishop, Most Rev. Frederick Campbell, Bishop of Columbus, and a pantheon of illustrious Catholic speakers and authors, including Scott Hahn, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and several others at the 8th-annual "Deep in History" conference, sponsored by the CHNetwork. 


It takes place this coming weekend, October 22-24, 2010, at the Easton Hilton Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. My talk theme will be “The Fathers Know Best: A Look at the Relationship Between Scripture & Tradition in the Early Church.”


There's still time to register! Click here for the details. I hope to see you there. (Please share this on your FB pages, on Twitter, blogs, etc. Many thanks.)

What do you say to a cradle-Catholic who doubts the doctrine of the communion of saints?

Well, here's what I said in response to Ed, a recent caller to my "Open Line" radio broadcast (Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. ET). He also had doubts about the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so we talked about that as well. To listen, click here, or click the image.


If you'd like to acquire a copy of my book on the communion of saints, Any Friend of God's Is a Friend of Mine, I'd suggest to go first to your local Catholic bookstore. If you don't have one near you, you can get the book here.


Here are some additional, popular-level resources on these subjects:

Any Friend of God's Is a Friend of Mine

Immaculate Conception and the Assumption  

How to Argue for Mary's Assumption

Assumptions About Mary

Saints Preserve Us

The fastest goal keeper ever

The goalie is wearing a light-green uniform. At about the 35-second mark, you'll understand why I named this post as I did. 

A prank phone call that backfired beautifully

I've known a lot of former atheists over the years. One of my very favorites is Jennifer Fulwiler. Among the reasons I like her so much (there are many) is that she's a skilled and insightful writer. I'm happy to say that she writes a regular column for us at Envoy Magazine.


For the moment, though, I'd like to direct your attention to her blog, where she posted an unexpectedly powerful story about how she tried to prank a telemarketer, back when she was a Christan-despising atheist. As you'll see, she didn't expect the results she got, and I didn't expect that the story would move me as much as it did. I really think you'll like it, too.


P.S. Jennifer wrote the cover story in this next issue of Envoy Magazine (vol. 9.4). It's called "Up From Atheism." As soon as it's out, I'll let you know.

(Jennifer Fulwiler not shown actual size)

Muslim blasphemer dances on the high altar at the Florence Cathedral

Here's an outrageous story that will likely go unnoticed and unreported by the media. Try to imagine what would happen if a Christian were to perform this same moronic dance in crowded mosque. Do you think he'd leave the building alive? I don't know if this Muslim is deranged or just maliciously trying to insult and provoke Catholics, but either way, he's a jackass, and I hope he's prosecuted for this. May God forgive him. (Click the picture at left for the video.)


More information on this story here.
UPDATE (3:45 p.m.) — It occurred to me that others will have the same question that I had when I first saw this: Does this profane the altar such that it would need to be reconsecrated before Mass could be celebrated upon it again?

Not being a canon lawyer, I have no way to answer that question with certitude, but I would like to both post the canons that seem relevant and solicit the opinions of any canon lawyers who might wish to expound on how (and if) these canons are applicable in this particular case. Is there a iuris doctor canonici in the house? I invite your comments. 

Can.  1211 Sacred places are violated by gravely injurious actions done in them with scandal to the faithful, actions which, in the judgment of the local ordinary, are so grave and contrary to the holiness of the place that it is not permitted to carry on worship in them until the damage is repaired by a penitential rite according to the norm of the liturgical books.

Can.  1212 Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they have been destroyed in large part, or have been turned over permanently to profane use by decree of the competent ordinary or in fact.

Quote of the Day

“Game, set, match equals tennis.
Set, match, run equals arson.”
— Demetri Martin

The earliest known daguerreotype image of Abraham Lincoln

This is fascinating.


The basic story is this: In 1977, Albert Kaplan, an antiquarian collector of 19th-century artifacts, shelled out $27 to buy an old daguerreotype called "Portrait of a Young Man" from a New York art gallery. As he scrutinized the face in the picture, he became convinced that he was looking at a young Abraham Lincoln.


The following video elaborates how he became certain that the youth in the picture grew up to become the revered President of the United States who presided over the Civil War, freed the slaves, and was cut down by an assassin's bullet at age 56.

New Media and the Holy Sacraments Just Don't Mix

Take a Virtual Tour of St. Peter's Tomb Beneath St. Peter Basilica

I've had the good fortune of taking the Scavi tour in Rome several times, and let me tell you, it is spectacular and inspiring. And you can take it today, right now, in fact, without getting out of your chair.

Rome Reports says:

If you want to visit the tomb of St. Peter and the Vatican necropolis, it’s no longer necessary to book tickets and travel to Rome.

The Vatican website now offers an exciting virtual tour through interactive high quality images. With just one click you can skip the queues and get into the foundations of St. Peter's Basilica.

The virtual tour also includes explanations of the most relevant details of the necropolis, and a map showing your location at all times within the necropolis towards the tomb of St. Peter.

You will have one of the best guides possible for your visit: Cardinal Angelo Comastri, president of the Fabbrica of St Peter’s, which looks after the necropolis.

An amazing look at the origins and construction of St. Peter's Basilica, available from any computer in the world.

Could your child use a $23,000 scholarship from Belmont Abbey College? If so, act now!

That's right. There's some serious "money on the table" right now for college-bound Catholic kids who apply early for the Belmont Abbey College "Hintemeyer Catholic Leadership Program." The scholarship amount is normally $17,000, but if you apply before October 20, 2010, under the college's "early decision" program, you may be eligible to receive an additional $3000 in scholarship money if selected for the program. So, click here to apply today and start the ball rolling. You don't want to miss out on this big of a possible financial break for your child's college expenses, now do you?

Belmont Abbey College is also offering an early decision for those who apply before October 20, 2010, for its Honors Fellowship. Those who are chosen for this program will be eligible for up to $23,000 in scholarship money!

On a personal note, my wife and I are thrilled to have our 20 year-old daughter, Madeline, as a student at Belmont Abbey College. (I am the director the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College). Madeline is in her second year there, is a member of the Hintemeyer Program, and she absolutely loves the school's thoroughly Catholic, Christ-centered, and intellectually stimulating milieu.

I believe in the mission of Belmont Abbey College, and those who know me (or who follow me on Twitter or Facebook or who listen to my "Open Line" radio program, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. ET) know how heartily and how often I promote it. And you know I wouldn't, if I didn't believe in it.

But you don't have to just take my word for it. Go to Belmont Abbey College's website right now and take a virtual tour of the beautiful campus, check out their academic programs, see their majestic Abbey basilica, the beautiful 24-hour Eucharistic chapel (truly the heart of the campus), and take a look at their massive competitive sports program.

Don't delay. Apply today for an "early decision" for your son or daughter for a $20,000 Hintemeyer Catholic Leadership scholarship or for a $23,000 Honors Fellowship at Belmont Abbey College.

That scholarship money is there on the table right now, waiting for those who act swiftly and apply before October 20, 2010. Don't be left out!

I'm sorry, but this "Homsechooler's Wish List" rubs me the wrong way

Deborah Markus, the woman who wrote this, may be a very nice lady, a fantastic writer,  and a joy to be around in person. I don't know, as I've never heard of her before I saw her "wish list" posted today on the New Advent super site. But speaking as a parent who has home schooled 11 children for 20 years now (actually, it is my lovely wife Nancy who has done all the work in that department, but since the Bible says that in marriage "the two become one," I guess I can qualify for  some double-billing on this), I found her wish list  list of demands tiresome and mildly irritating.


It appears that she was aiming to capture all the standard hangups, misconceptions, and prejudices that many non-homeschooling people have toward homeschooling (I get satire, I really do), but I'm afraid it comes off as simply querulous and captious, rather than clever and funny. Who knows? It's possible that she didn't intend it to be humorous, in which case she succeeded. The title, after all, is "A Bitter Homeschooler's Wish List."


But, come on. What's to be bitter about? Who cares if some people don't understand and ask lame questions? I don't. Over the last 30 years or so of raising children, I've heard plenty of awkward and even disparaging comments from people who don't understand why anyone would have more than two children, much less 11. But so what? True, their silly comments have at times astonished me and even made me laugh at the absurdity of what was being said, but they never angered me or made me bitter. The reason is that I just don't care if they don't like large families. I just don't care. And practically all the couples we know who have large families don't care either.


Similarly, Nancy and I and the many homeschooling couples we've known over the years aren't a bit bothered by (much less bitter about) the various deprecatory comments and attitudes which Mrs. Markus complains about in her list.


Maybe someone should write a "wish list" for the things homeschooling parents should and shouldn't do so as not to give the world the impression that homeschoolers are bunch of defensive, cranky, complainers. Most of us aren't.