Question: Certain priests incorporate the prayer to St. Michael following the blessing and dismissal at the conclusion of Mass, before the final hymn. When did this practice become a part of the Mass? It seems inappropriate to me. A good prayer, but a poor practice. I would value your insights.
— Donald McCrabb, Greenbelt, Maryland
Answer: The recitation of the prayer to St. Michael has grown increasingly prevalent in U.S. parishes. Several factors contribute to this trend. Firstly, there is increasing worry about the existence and actions of demonic influences within our world as well as in our families and communities. Secondly, the prayer to St. Michael was historically included among the prayers that Pope Leo XIII recommended to be said at the end of every low Mass. Individuals aged 60 and older probably recall these prayers and found justification to rejuvenate at least a portion of that tradition.

Question: What is the current teaching of the Church regarding abstinence on Fridays? I’ve come across information stating that during the Fridays of Lent as well as on every Friday throughout the year, Catholics aged 14 and older are mandated to avoid meat. However, in the United States, for Fridays that fall outside of Lent, we have the option to engage in another form of acceptable penance instead of abstaining from meat. When I brought this up with my prayer group, none of the members seemed to recognize that we still have this obligation to obey. fast from meat on Fridays or engage in an alternative form of penance on that day. How should we interpret this guideline, especially given that many remain uninformed about it?

— Joan Metzger

Answer: The issue you mention is unfortunately valid and widespread. It reflects human tendencies and highlights a demand for unambiguous standards. The traditional acronym SMART is relevant here, indicating that a task or objective is most effective when it is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. The existing standards for Friday practices fail to meet these criteria in various aspects, particularly concerning their vagueness and the challenge in determining if an individual has fulfilled the (ambiguous) aim of a Friday sacrifice comparable to abstaining from meat.

Why not create a holiday-themed action movie featuring Dwayne Johnson as the primary bodyguard for Kris Kringle? The response to that inquiry is unveiled in “Red One” (Amazon MGM).

The effort to place Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) amid chaotic fighting scenes, followed by a culminating sleigh pursuit, results in a desperately uneven tone in this poorly planned holiday film. Although one of the central characters experiences a redemption arc, this is simply too gritty a project to be considered remotely suitable for families.

Following the abduction of St. Nick, Callum Drift and his crew at Johnson’s investigate the compromise of North Pole security that allowed the capture, which leads them to the talented yet opportunistic hacker Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans). Although the skeptical Jack has dismissed the reality of the Jolly One since his youth, it quickly becomes apparent that, despite his ethical flaws, he was not acting with intention.

In the beginning of January, the team behind the SEEK21 Conference announced the identities of the keynote speakers set to deliver talks during the four-day online event aimed at Catholics of all ages. The lineup features numerous leading Catholic speakers from across the nation, such as Bishop Robert Barron, Leah Darrow, Jason Evert, Sister Bethany Madonna, and Father Mike Schmitz — all recognized names among many Catholics, and undoubtedly among the conference attendees.
Part of the group, nonetheless, is a figure that many Catholics may not be familiar with. Francis Chan is an evangelical minister who stirred up significant discussion within Christian communities early last year when a sermon he delivered to his Protestant audience became a sensation for resonating strongly with … Catholic beliefs. He spoke on Christ’s aspiration for harmony among his disciples and the fragmentation present among modern Christians, Chan said“I was unaware that during the initial 1,500 years of Church history, all viewed it as the actual body and blood of Christ. It was only 500 years ago that an individual brought forth the idea that it is merely a symbol and nothing else. I found that surprising and thought, ‘That’s worth contemplating.’ … For 1,500 years, it was never one individual and his pulpit at the heart of the church, it was the body and blood of Christ.”
Months later, in a video conversation on the subject of Christian unity at the Eucharist, hosted by Hank Hanegraaff, a previous Protestant radio broadcaster identified as the “Bible Answer Man,” who has recently embraced the Eastern Orthodox Church, Chan stated: “I once regarded anyone who perceived the bread and the cup as more than mere bread and cup, I would simply categorize them as Catholic and … I’m not certain if it’s superstitious, but it felt somewhat foolish to me, to be honest. … The deeper I delve into that, the more perplexed I become, and [I’m] thinking, ‘Wow, it appears there was a dominant perspective for numerous years, and if I am to oppose that, I’d better be certain.”

We are relieved to have completed 2020. We are thankful that this year filled with excessive loss, anxiety, hardship, and conflict has come to an end. Yet, simply swapping out our old calendars for new ones will not inherently alter our circumstances. What truly transforms situations is prayer. We might think that we’ve been praying for an extended period with little effect. Reflect on the message displayed on a church’s outdoor sign: “Prayer does not change things. Prayer changes us.” This is what we require for 2021 — a form of prayer capable of altering us. A type of prayer that can provide us comfort and optimism even amid distress. This particular kind of prayer is contemplation.
Meditation is an ideal form of prayer for everyone. During times of busyness, we can hold meditation close to our hearts. When we find ourselves feeling too dull, meditation reveals fresh and exciting opportunities for love and engagement. Meditation serves as a prayer of tranquility for the occupied and a prayer of optimism for the indifferent.
The concept of contemplation might appear daunting. We might perceive it as a type of prayer meant for the extremely devout — those monks and nuns secluded behind stone barriers. In reality, contemplation is an uncomplicated and delightful method for all of us to deepen our understanding of God.
What does contemplation mean?
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that there are three types of prayer. The initial type is vocal prayer, which involves speaking to God. Every prayer that we “utter” falls under vocal prayers. The second type is meditation, which entails reflecting on God. A well-known method of meditation is contemplating Sacred Scripture. The third type is contemplation, which is about being receptive to God. This is likely the least familiar method for us, as, in our relationship with God, we have devoted the majority of our lives to conversing.
The “United States Catholic Catechism for Adults” describes contemplation as a period of quiet reflection and affection. Similar to enjoying beautiful music, it is ideal if we can relax, shut our eyes, and merely await God to communicate with our hearts. This represents the most authentic type of contemplation. Nevertheless, we exist in a hectic world. Just as we now bring our music along with us everywhere, we must also learn to hear God’s voice amidst our various activities.
We don’t have to isolate ourselves in a room without windows to deepen our understanding of God. St. Teresa of Avila, author of the spiritual masterpiece “The Interior Castle,” emphasized that “God desires you to honor him through a vibrant life.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that we ought to be “committed to contemplation” (No. 771). Furthermore, in Laudato Si’Pope Francis encouraged us to pray to God to, “Help us recognize the value of every element, to be inspired with wonder and reflection” (No. 246).
The followers on the path to Emmaus provide us with an excellent illustration of what contemplation truly entails. It involves allowing Jesus to come close and accompany us. It means permitting him to instruct us. It is asking him to remain with us. When we engage in this, he will enlighten our understanding, and we will start to recognize his presence and identity in every circumstance. He will reveal to us that circumstances are not as dire as we apprehend.
Genesis informs us that when God fashioned our world, he frequently took a moment to observe his creations and recognize that they were good. Contemplation is that straightforward. It involves discovering how to view each new day and acknowledge that it is good. It is about cultivating the ability to perceive hope and tranquility in places where we might be inclined to witness chaos and hopelessness.

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Question: Not long ago, I participated in a catechetical conference within our diocese, and when I inquired whether Christ established all the sacraments, the speaker refrained from responding with a simple “yes.” He avoided the question and provided only an ambiguous reply. Additionally, he did not affirm that Christ provided us with seven sacraments. What are your thoughts on this?
— Name and address withheld
Answer: There are three approaches to addressing the inquiry regarding the origin of the sacraments — two unsatisfactory and one more satisfactory. The first approach is to claim that Christ specifically established the seven sacraments at distinct times and provided them with their fundamental words (form) and their fundamental actions (matter). The Gospels do not present proof of this kind of formal and meticulous establishment by Christ. Efforts to provide an elaborate account of the explicit and detailed institution of the sacraments by Jesus gained popularity in the scholastic tradition that emerged after the Council of Trent.

I would never have anticipated comedian Russell Brand would be supporting Christianity on Instagram, yet here we are.

The actor’s path to Christianity prompted him to announce to his millions of followers that he had decided to get baptized. And thus, he did. He “took the plunge” on April 28 and underwent baptism in the River Thames.

Seeking stability amid chaos

“An event transpired during the course of” baptism “that was amazing, astonishing,” Brand remarked, contemplating the experience. in a video posted to his Instagram accountThe performer conveyed emotions of feeling “fortunate, comforted, supported” and “embraced.”

It seems that Brand has not converted to Catholicism, but he has shared videos in which he expresses that he has started the routine of praying the Rosary.

A few miles beyond Washington, D.C., in a lively Maryland suburb known as Rockville, there lies a modest cemetery adjacent to a Catholic church. Within its grounds stands a gravestone featuring two names: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre. This is the eternal resting spot of the author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his spouse.

Long ago, it appears, there was some controversy regarding their presence in a Catholic cemetery as Fitzgerald, although brought up in the Catholic faith, did not actively observe his religion and lived a well-known chaotic lifestyle. The matter was eventually resolved by Cardinal William Baum, who was the archbishop of Washington at the time, giving his consent and remarked about the renowned writer that the figures in his narratives are “engaged in this grand drama, searching for God and seeking love.”

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Countless individuals globally have experienced St. Thérèse of Lisieux via her memoir, “Story of a Soul.” However, throughout her life, the 19th-century French Carmelite sister — a revered saint celebrated for her “little way” of innocent faith and assurance in God’s compassionate love — created additional, less-recognized works, which included a poem dedicated to her guardian angel.

In the poem composed in 1897, St. Thérèse speaks to the “Glorious Guardian of my soul” who encourages her to “gaze solely at Heaven” mere months prior to her passing from tuberculosis at the age of 24.

“Throughout the final year and a half of her existence, as she endured the dreadful abyss of emotion and soul, she needed to exert a significant, frequently valiant, effort to believe that there were angels and saints who were concerned for her and subsequently to invoke them for assistance,” Father Donald Kinney, OCD, who translated “The Poetry of St. Thérèse of Lisieux” from ICS Publications, communicated to Our Sunday Visitor via email.

He referenced the book, “The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux,” authored by Father Stéphane-Joseph Piat, OFM, concerning St. Thérèse’s family, stating, “With their immense love for Heaven and the passing of four small children, ‘It’s as if the entire family existed gazing out the window towards Heaven.’”

On April 2, Pope Francis published his latest apostolic exhortation, Christus Vivit (“Christ is Alive”). This document is a reaction to the 2018 Ordinary Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. It is an extensive piece, rich with uplifting messages, and I have extracted several that resonated with me personally. Although it is directed towards the youth, the pope also wrote this document for “the entire people of God,” making his remarks relevant to everyone.
I strongly suggest going through the complete document, which can be accessed online on the Vatican website (vatican.va) or in softcover format osvcatholicbookstore.com. At this moment, I’ll allow Pope Francis to express himself.

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(OSV News) — An Alabama priest on the verge of laicization has entered into a civil marriage with the young woman he eloped with to Europe in July.

Father Alex Crow, who unexpectedly departed from Corpus Christi Parish in Mobile, Alabama at the close of July to go to Italy with Taylor Victoria Harrison, a June 2023 alumna of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, submitted a notarized Alabama marriage certificate to the Mobile County probate court on Nov. 20, just one week following his 30th birthday. OSV News acquired an electronic version of the certificate.

The document identifies the 18-year-old Harrison as his spouse. She and Father Crow had arrived back in the Mobile region earlier in November.

Mobile lawyer Christine Hernandez, representing Harrison’s family, informed OSV News that “the family is extremely distressed and has no statement at this moment.”

OSV News verified with the Archdiocese of Mobile Nov. 22 that the laicization procedure begun by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi a month following Father Crow’s exit is still not finalized.

This is the seventh in a series of articles exploring the gift and promise of Vatican II’s liturgical reforms.
Up to this point, this ongoing series of articles has aimed to support the changes brought about by Vatican II. As I’ve conveyed in discussions with numerous communicators who have reached out to me via email, I consider it sociologically simplistic to view post-conciliar reform as the origin of such a broad array of issues in pastoral life, many of which (including the sexual abuse crisis) were already evident within the Church.
Nevertheless, it’s important to discuss the reasons behind the allure of the pre-conciliar rites — particularly in the United States. Much of the discourse surrounding traditionalism in the liturgy appears to interpret it as a repudiation of the Second Vatican Council, a conservative political trend that aims to revert to the golden days of the 1950s. Even Pope Francis frequently communicates the appeal of the Latin Mass in this manner.
These traditionalists are real. They are notable on Twitter (and, generally speaking, they are not fond of me).
However, that’s only part of the picture. In order to progress beyond disputes regarding the liturgy, we must grasp the broader cultural narrative.
A sense of belonging
I would like us to consider together the concepts of origins and advancement.
Humans require roots — in other words, we seek to link our individual narratives to a broader narrative.
What made me feel so touched during my initial trip to Ireland in 2002? Indeed, I am Timothy Patrick O’Malley. Indeed, I have been commemorating St. Patrick’s Day since I was a young boy.

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WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Pope Francis has designated Father Scott E. Bullock, who serves as the pastor of St. Edward Parish in Waterloo, Iowa, as the new bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota.

The announcement was made in Washington on June 25 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-designate Bullock takes the place of the late Bishop Muhich.

A clergyman from the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, Bishop-designate Bullock, 60, takes over from the deceased Bishop Peter M. Muhich, who passed away on Feb. 17 at the age of 62 just after being placed in hospice care. He was battling esophageal cancer.

The bishop-designate remarked in a statement that on June 24, he visited Bishop Muhich’s resting place “where I entrusted him to the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and concurrently requested his prayers for myself and the diocese he ministered to. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.”

Communication to the devoted

“I approach you brimming with happiness for what has transpired and optimism for what lies ahead!” Bishop-designate Bullock conveyed to the parishioners of the western South Dakota diocese.