To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth – that is not living, but existing.
One can readily admit that the Magisterium's manner of expression does not seem very easy to understand at times. It needs to be translated by preachers and catechists into a language which relates to people and to their respective cultural environments. The essential content of the Church's teaching, however, must be upheld in this process. It must not be watered down on allegedly pastoral grounds, because it communicates the revealed truth.
Certainly, it is difficult to make the demands of the Gospel understandable to secularized people. But this pastoral difficulty must not lead to compromises with the truth.
Celibacy is always, shall we say, an affront to what man normally thinks. It is something that can be done, and is only credible, if there is a God and if celibacy is my doorway into the kingdom of God.
For many people today, practical atheism is the normal rule of life...If this attitude becomes a general existential position, then freedom no longer has any standards, then everyting is possible and permissible.
Christmas is a day of celebration.
There is no point ruining today's entry with the horrors of the world. Rather, let us celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our King!
Today is Pope Benedict XVI's birthday.
We do not know what they are doing to him behind the walls of the Vatican.
Let us therefore keep him in our prayers!
Distinctions Matter
Distinctions Matter Forward
Missale Romanum
Pre-1951 Calendar