Just a quick note: you know all that stuff about how there’s lots of military in Rome now after all that ISIS stuff? How the streets are being patrolled and security increased at popular tourist sites like… oh, I don’t know… St. Peter’s Piazza? Yeah… whatevs… I just asked a friend of mine who works about two blocks from there: “I haven’t noticed. There’s maybe an extra armed guard or two at places that already had armed guards, but I haven’t noticed a huge increase.

The migrant crisis continues unabated, although now even more complicated by the Paris attacks and the revelation that parts of Brussels have been occupied by Morocco. North Americans who love 20th century French films have been brought up to speed on the new demographics, 16 years after I was amazed and frightened to discover a large gang of young African men catcalling women from the steps of the Gare due Sud at 1 AM.

“Listen to me carefully, Norman… I’m lying… ” So, the pope says that people who believe in “absolute truth” are fundamentalists, and that’s evil…but that’s a statement of an absolute truth… so it must be evil and fundamentalist to say that believing in absolute truth is evil and fundamentalist because it is a statement of absolute truth, but there is no such thing as absolute truth but that is a statement of …

_This homily was first delivered in Italian this past Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Basilica, Norcia, Italy. After Mass I spoke with Father Martin briefly, saying, “Well, end of the world and whatnot, eh? Glad I’m not the only one thinking about it.” _ ~ Fr. Martin Bernhard, O.S.B. Col 1,9-14; Mt 24,15-35 22 Nov 2015 Last after Pentecost For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even into the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (Mt 24:27)

I’ve decided for the time being not to renew my internet at home. It’s been off for a day or so, and home has been wonderfully peaceful. I’ve discovered that I have a whole library of books I’ve not looked at in ages, many of which I’ve never read at all or only dipped into superficially. This means, of course, that we will no longer be having daily posts here.

The mistake the Franciscans of the Immaculate made was thinking they could continue to play Catholic within the structures of NuChurch. I regret that things have come to such a pass in the Church that Catholicism, openly practiced in groups, is no longer tolerated. For a long time we could get away with maintaining the idea in our heads that the structural Church was a “big tent” in which the “chosen path” of one person was just as “valid” as any other.

19th century — by Lembach — Image by © Archivo Iconografico, S.A./CORBIS “It is necessary not only that religious instructions be given to the young at fixed times, but also that every other subject taught be permeated with Christian piety. If this is wanting, if this sacred atmosphere does not pervade and warm the hearts of masters and scholars alike, little good can be expected from any kind of learning, and considerable harm will often by the consequence.

I’m sure it won’t be too hard to convince him. [“Philadelphia Baby’s Brain Tumor Shrinks After Kiss From Pope”][1] ~ [1]: http://Philadelphia Baby’s Brain Tumor Shrinks After Kiss From Pope

This one goes out to Pope Francis, bringer of peace and joy… Peeeaaace and Jooooy… _Pope claims Christmas is a ‘charade’ due to continued war across the world_ “The Pope said that the lights, parties, Christmas trees and nativity scenes of the season are a charade with so much ‘war and hate’.” Hey, here’s a fun game we can play. Take a look at these quotes from his homily and see how many of his statements contradict things he’s said before.

Cardinal Sarah, whom everybody sane likes very much…but seriously? Cardinal Sarah has become known all over the world for the extraordinary interest raised in recent years by his book entitled “God or Nothing.” A book that right from the title puts at the top of list of vital questions facing Catholicism the crisis of faith that it is going through. Readers of Sarah’s book have sent him many comments, favorable and unfavorable.