1. One of my favorite things is receiving emails from my readers. If you want to write me to say hello or if you are searching for an answer to anything Catholic-related, please write me. I love receiving emails and will usually respond within 6 hours of receiving your message. And you can be sure that if I don't know the answer to your question, I will find someone who can provide the answer. Please send your comments to acatholiclife [at] gmail.com.
2. Secondly, I live in the Chicago area and am open to meet anyone in the area before/after Mass on Sundays. If you are in town and looking for a traditional Mass in the area, I can direct you to several places and show you around the town if needed. If you are in the area visiting, send me an email and we can see if our schedules match up.
3. And if you are a Twitter user, please follow me on Twitter @acatholiclife
47 comment(s):
Hello from Catholic Ireland.
Can you please tell me how I can send virtual Christmas cards?
For that, I would recommend searching for "free online greeting cards" You should find several sites that work.
Thank you for posting the article "Avoid The Neocatechumenal Way". Four years worth of comments - Wow. I just included the following in my comment and hope you'll consider it.
"The four years worth of comments here are mostly tantrums of the teenage angst vein - "you don't understand me" - instead of intelligent discussion. There are a couple really great comments though and it would be helpful if the original poster would stick in a P.S. to advise all new commentors to at least read these two before they post their own.
1. - two part post beginning February 24, 2010 - 12:42 AM
2. - seven part post beginning July 18, 2010 - 3:18 PM"
Rob,
Thank you for taking the time to suggest that I edit the post in light of 4 years worth of comments. I have indeed edited the post to highlight your comment. Thank you.
Matthew,
Interesting blog! I liked how you included both FSSP and SSPX news items.
With the help of my son, Anthony, I created a website. It is not fancy but it serves a purpose of keeping Catholics informed of events in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. if I include your blog as a link on my site, would you include a link to my site from your blog? Thank you.
In Christ Our King,
Erick Wittemann
site http://sursumcorda.weebly.com
email restorethehabsburgs@gmail.com
Hello, my name is Reuben. There is a question concerning apparitions that I must ask. Many people look to the apparitions for their faith rather than looking to Jesus. Can you explain to me (Biblically) some of the dangers surrounding this new found way of accepting faith in Jesus Christ through apparitions? Thank you, May GOD always grant blessings to you and your family. Jesus, I trust in YOU.
Many thanks for your support of the work of Dr. Robert Sungenis.
James Phillips
Padre Pio refused to take off his habit to breathe better---hours before his death. The clothes of nuns should mirror God, not the secular world. To see a nun is to be reminded of a mystery, not the fine expression of servicing others. Would a less important area of life (baseball) have its people take off the uniform/
Where is the link of nuns to nuns who have served before if the nun removes her habit and veil? The mystery needs symbolic clothing to SERVE THE LAITY at the deepest level, but, oh no, many a sister wants to mirror at a level on the surface. Who then will live out the ritualisation that humans need as much as food and clothing? Who then? So Yankees take off your uniforms and Padre Pio go to God in civies.
Qawii writes:
Just one small correction: In your use of the word "protest," you are giving it the force of the word "contest;" The Latin suffix, "pro" signifies positive comparison, whereas the suffix, "con" suggests a negative comparison, or opposition. Protestants put forth the idea that the early church taught justification by faith in the finished work of Christ, justifying those,who like the thief on the cross, had nothing more to offer. This message of positive hope was what sent the apostles into the whole world to conquer it in Jesus name. It is His positive message which continues to strengthen His church universal.
Paz tecum from Arizona. Last year you posted something holy water. I showed the before and after, how the water looked before being blessed and after it was blessed from different water resouces.
Can you please send me that article again
Nelly
medinan_cchs@yahoo.com
Pray for my need of a new heart, mind and soul.
Rebecca
I am trying to find a picture of the Elevation. Can you help?
God Bless,
Anastacia Schiele
I haven't been to Mass in many years and started going back a few weeks ago, but I can't for the life of me remember what to do when I first enter the pew and kneel. What prayer(s) am I supposed to do? etc...
You need to genuflect.
Definition: Bending of the knee as an act of reverence. Customary when passing before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, entering the pew for divine worship, and during certain ceremonies to the Cross. A double genuflection of both knees simultaneously was commonly made before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance. Genuflections are also made to the Pope, to a cardinal, and to a bishop in his own diocese.
Hello I'm considering moving over to a new home (in England). It's 17th Century & has its own Chapel (which is currently used as an additional drawing room). As we are Catholics, I was wondering if it would be possible for our daughter to have a Catholic wedding Mass at home in the Chapel? Would the Chapel need to be consecrated? If so, is it allowed for private dwellings in England to have this done, and how would we go about it? I know that we could register the space for a 'civil ceremony' so they can legally be married there (£1700 for a licence that lasts 3 years), but we certainly don't wish to have a civil ceremony & a Blessing elsewhere, we all agree we want a proper Catholic Wedding so she is married in the eyes of God not just the law!
I'd really appreciate if you could please help either by providing answers or pointing us in the correct direction as to who we should contact in England. Many thanks, Victoria xx
The Only Person Ever Pre-Announced Which Life is Worth Living episode did you watch? What was its title? I need it for my adult sacrament candidates. Thanks, Anthony
Anthony, I recommend this link: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/06/fulton-j-sheen-study-of-world.html
Also, have you looked at the CatechismClass.com Program? I know they reference that same episode in their Life of Christ Course: http://www.catechismclass.com/shop/series_detail.php?id=2
Also, you are specifically referring to The Only Person Ever Pre-Announced, 1958
By Fulton Sheen. See here: http://catholic-skyview-tremblay.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-only-person-ever-pre-announced.html
I have no other gift to make but thanks, and thanks and thanks. Anthony
Matthew, I am publishing as anonymous because I find it difficult to use google account. I'm not attempting to hide in the anonymous and clandestine shadows of the internet. How is it possible to simply publish under my name Anthony?
Anthony, under "Comment As" Just choose "Name/URL" instead of Anonymous. God bless
i have only one small question. i hope you can answer. i often light a candle to go with my prayers. some of those who know i do this say its a form of witchery or sorcery condemned by the bible. any info please? and thanks.
Mark, if someone is saying that to you then they know absolutely nothing about true Christianity and what prayer and Theology really are. Look over this post: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/03/why-do-catholics-light-prayer-candles.html
Hello Matthew. I was able to visit the Vatican in July 2003 and view the incorrupt body of Pope John XXIII. There was also the body of a nun there but I can't seem to find any information or a picture of who she was online. I took a picture of the Pope but not of the nun. Would you have any idea who she might be?
thanks,
Cindy
Hello Cindy,
I have looked for the information on the nun but have not been able to find anything. Also, just to point out, Pope John XXIII’s body remains intact, but it was embalmed for his lying in state and the Church does not claim that it is incorruptible due to supernatural reasons. This is unlike some of the other incorruptibles such as St. John Neumann (http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2013/07/virtual-tour-national-shrine-of-st-john.html
This is a very informative website.
Question to the author: why do you attend SSPX services knowing that the Society is not in full communion with Rome and marred by dissident spirits?
Also, as great as Traditional / Latin Mass may be, it is one of the 'tools' at Church's disposal to bring and keep the faithful in. There are various ways of attracting believers and Traditional Mass is one of them. Some people are attracted to the Church by Rosary groups, Bible studies, charismatic movements, choirs, Knights of Columbus, etc. Latin Mass even though very reverent in its aspects may not be enough nowadays to bring everybody in. Church had problems when Latin Mass was in common use as well. It's not the Latin Mass, it's the individual response to the calling of Jesus that makes the difference whether one wants to be fully engaged in the 'earthly' or 'eternal' world.
The website is a great effort no doubt but SSPX involvement raises doubts.
But you see, the Mass isn't a tool. It is not a means to an end like th Rosary, choirs, etc. The Mass IS the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. The Mass IS the act of redemption. Our closeness to God is most intimate and true when we are at Mass and receive Him in Holy Communion. So you see while all the other things you mentioned are nice and helpful, they are nothing compared with the Mass. And it is for that reason we must fight for the Traditional Mass.
I really enjoy your blog and wanted to share with you my journey and see if you'd be interesting in featuring it. I think it's an important story that relates well with many. God Bless.
http://notfornothingyall.com/2014/02/19/refinding-my-faith/
I noticed that you have links to the various dioceses and archdioceses on your site. However, I did not see a link to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which is one of the most important dioceses in the country, as well as being the location of the upcoming conference on the family and host to the Holy Father.
If any of your comments, as truly intentioned as they might be, led someone from the Roman Catholic Church to SSPX, would you consider this "mission accomplished", an irrelevancy, or an unfortunate development?
Your comment implies that the SSPX is somehow not part of the Roman Catholic Church, and this is untrue.
Thank you for your great blog! What are the signs that one has a vocation to the Third Order of Saint Dominic?
Michael, I would encourage you to watch the attached and ask yourself if you feel that you are aligned to the charisms of the Dominican Order:
https://gloria.tv/video/fdC47hQruZS
Hello, I am in the UK and was very interested to read your section on Padre Pio's intercession and people's input on healing, etc. However, the last input was some years ago. Do you still have that site active? Also, do you know how I could arrange to go on a short pilgrimage or visit to his shrine in Italy from the UK?
Hello Jacqueline, here is information on how to contact the shrine and go on a pilgrimage there: http://www.thecatholictravelguide.com/SanGiovanniRotondo.html
God bless
Kindly inform catholics about the Feast of the Holy Face. And how one must prepare themselve for it (e.g. novena, litany).
Anonymous, I would encourage you to check out this link: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2015/07/devotion-to-holy-face-devotion-needed.html
What is the source of the art on your blog (before each month). It reminds me a lot of a Catholic version of the Genevieve Foster History books. Thank you.
Those images are from Enid M. Chadwick "My Book of the Church's Year"
Hello Matthew! There is a question in here and it has to do with the rosary. Later.
Chanced on this your site in a search for praying the rosary mentally - not reciting, but in the mind. I have memorized St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort's entire bead by bead method - in the process of knowing that my mind would wander - otherwise - all the preceding prayers, and all the concluding prayers. I find I can go deeply with this method, deeper and deeper as time goes by.
Lately though, after several years of doing this early in the morning, my life is more restless but I still want to complete the rosary. I used to whisper everything. I noticed a while ago deeper prayer when mentally praying.
I intend to ask a priest (a traditional priest) about whether one MUST pray the rosary vocally or at least move one's lips. Traditio.com in its material on indulgences states unequivocally, that to gain indulgences (NOT my primarily motivation!) one must at least move ones lips.
Comments solicited from you on this subject.
Do you ALWAYS pray the entire rosary by reciting it?
I was born the granddaughter of a Lutheran seminary professor who came over from Germany to Canada so I guess he was a missionary too! Was raised in the Episcopal Church; Lutheran grandfather baptized me. Had a Catholic soul. Kept from praying the rosary at around age 6.
When I finally had time for it I went for it always from the beginning, all 15 decades. St. Louis's method was an dis invaluable to me. ["Converting" to Catholicism in the novus ordo here in 2012, it was clear Our Lady of Peace Cathedral in Honolulu is less Catholic than the Episcopal Church was at the time I was raised in it!]
Phew, a long post. I'm going to read this site because of your traditional orientation. I myself would prefer to be a Third Order Carmelite but have had no luck finding any traditional Carmelite group with a tertiary order that is not associated with Rome.
Will be moving to the mainland for sacraments as soon as God wills. After several years of searching, found several options I would want to be part of and cannot wait for the association. I lead a very hermitical life. That suits me, but association is needed to keep balance and serve with others. I 'can't wait.'
How do you pray the rosary, mentally, or vocally, or....
I just found your blog today, and hope you're still alive and available to post or share information. I checked your answer to bowing or genuflecting in church and appreciate your blog. I also noticed you have quite a list of pro-life blogs but they are each at least 10 years old. Do you have any more recent ones I could read?
Ted
Ted, for pro-life news I recommend you check out LifeSiteNews.com. They are very up to date. God bless.
I wish to quote a retiring Monsignor:
"I have had the privilege of living through what must have been one of the most eventful, turbulent an exciting eras in the life of the church, and have seen changes unparalleled in scope and impact since the Council of Trent in 1545. I consider it a blessing and recall the words of John Henry Cardinal Newman..."In the higher world it is otherwise, but here below to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often "
Another quote:
"I find it difficult to understand that there is a battery of traditionalist Catholics who have pledged themselves to turn the clock back and oppose the much needed changes in the Church. Some of them are hostile, sometime openly, sometimes more stealthily - to Pope Francis and his commitment to implement the forms intended by the Council."
One more:
"The great theology of St Thomas Aquinas was the bedrock of our studies in the seminary (Ireland). Today it remains a great theology but it is no longer mandatory for orthodoxy. It can be studied today as the great thirteenth century theology that it was, rather than the sole measure of Catholic orthodoxy."
My question is ...If St. Thomas Aquinas is considered one of the greatest doctors of our faith, why would we "throw his writings under the bus", as the saying goes. I am so disturbed with this comment and have always treasure what this glorious saint believed.
Thank you, Father Matthew
To whom it may concern,
My name is Fr. Stephen Arabadjis. I am a member of the Society of St. Pius X. But I am in my 7th year of Sabbatical.Therefore I was hoping your group could do a 54 day rosary novena for my intentions. But any prayers and sacrifices would be greatly appreciated. I know Our Lady will reward you generously for this.
In Our Lady,
Fr. Arabadjis
P.S. Thanking you in advance, since I don't always get all my communications.
Hi Matthew. I am very late with Lent this year due to particular circumstances but I would like to join the traditional fasting group starting today. I am 77 years old but there are no physical reasons not to be more rigorous and I agree with many that my health will improve. So off on Tier 1. Thanks for the invitation and support. I don’t use an iPhone so will not join on Telegram but will be here in the “inter webs” Thanks. Barbara in Canada
Thank you, Barbara. You can join the telegram group I believe from a desktop computer as well - no smartphone is required.
And for anyone else reading, this comment is in regards to this fasting fellowship which I am championing: https://onepeterfive.com/fast/
Hi Matthew,
I purchased your book "The definitive guide to catholic fasting and abstinence" and have for a year and a half been observing the practices somewhere between a tier 2 and tier 3 level. My family along with several others are now engaged in much stricter eucharistic fasting (no food and water after midnight) until after mass. Additionally several of the men have participated in the apostles fast and a longer advent fast with me. I wanted to share this to let you know their is often fruits from good works that you do not hear about, so keep up the good work!
I did want to ask two questions.
1. Several of the men at our traditional parish may not fast for ember days, rogation days, etc but follow the traditional Wednesday/Friday fasting of the early church. For solidarity I usually end up fasting W/F in addition to the requirements set forth for in the fellowship of St. Nicholas. I noticed that you touched on it briefly in your book. Is there a reason that the W/F fasting was set aside when making the fasting calendar? How do you treat fasting on those days?
2. How are weekday first class feast days treated when falling within one of the four major fasts? Sometimes I will eat on those feast days but will continue my abstinence from Meat, Sugar and Alcohol. Are First Class Feast days acknowledged in the fellowship or is strict fasting still observed those days?
Thank you so much.
God Bless You
- Zebadiah
Thank you for the positive remarks!
1. I did not want to crowd the calendar and made the decision, since the weekday fasting on Fridays and Wednesdays year round ended by around the 10th century, to not include those.
2. Those would be open to your discretion. Remember that as long as what we are doing is not binding under sin, we have discretion. Of course Lent is the greatest of all fasts. After this, I consider the Nativity fast of great importance but I adapt it for the Feast of the Imm. Conception. Similiar changes can happen for those of us who observe the Apostles Fast but do so long after it ended (and before Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart, and other such days were added). In any event, the point is not to be too prescriptive but to observe the law and then, after that, adds various other days and times in conformity with Tradition.
AMDG!
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