Catholic Commentary: History
John Zmirak: Gluttons for Power Nov 5
François Mitterrand: Despotism in a modern, democratic setting.
Fr. Roger Landry: Pulling and Preaching People Into the Confessional Oct 29
The patron saint of priests did not stop at praying for sinners.
Fr. Roger Landry: Praying People into the Confessional Oct 22
He prayed more than anyone that people would get in that line of salvation.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Internal Logic of a Great Sacrament Oct 22
How God was able to form him to be one of the great confessors.
John Zmirak: Solzhenitsyn - Icon of Patience Oct 15
Wisdom worth emulating.
Fr. George Rutler: 1942 - Life Goes On Oct 12
So as life went on, not all lives went on.
Andrew Cusack: Benedict in Bohemia Oct 12
The ancient land that was once at the very center of Christian civilization.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Martyrdom of Waiting Oct 8
It's hard for some priests today to relate to him.
Fr. Roger Landry: Reopening the Great Hospital of Souls Oct 8
Gives new meaning to the term heroism.
John Zmirak: Role Model for Wrath - Josef Stalin Oct 8
The most appropriate name to illustrate undiluted Wrath.
Fr. John Jay Hughes: All Is Grace Oct 1
"I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth…"
John Zmirak: A New Patron Saint for Chastity? Oct 1
Queen Catherine of Aragon
Fr. Roger Landry: Prayer Made Practical Sep 24
His sound advice remains just as useful today as it was 150 years ago.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Total Happiness of Man on Earth Sep 17
"We should pray like four year olds…who tell their mothers everything."
Fr. George Rutler: 1942 - An Ugly Amount of Success Sep 17
For the Allies, the general picture was bleak.
Fr. Roger Landry: Model of An Existence Made Prayer Sep 10
Why St. John Vianney is so important not just for priests but for all of us.
Michael Barone: FDR Among the Catholics Sep 3
His philosophy: "I am a Christian and a Democrat."
Janine Langan: The Face of Jesus Sep 3
An image from which modern man can learn much.
Fr. Roger Landry: Ending the Desecration of the Lord's Day Aug 28
St. John Vianney's efforts to convert his parish in Ars.
Sandra Miesel: The Real History of the Holy Grail Aug 27
So glorious, so mysterious, it symbolizes an elusive object of desire.
Fr. Roger Landry: Pastoral Courage and Charity Aug 19
Had what it took to fight against sin and make sanctity possible for his people.
Fr. George Rutler: 1942 - The Start of a Very Long Summer Aug 13
Happiness will disappear, and pessimism will carry out the suicide of a nation.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Price of the Conversion of Ars Aug 12
"There is not much love for God in that parish; you will bring some into it."
Fr. Roger Landry: The Divine Vocation Strategy Aug 5
Choose the weak as priests and make them strong in bearing witness to him.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Holy Priest Who Inspired Another Aug 5
John Vianney's saintly spiritual father and mentor.
Arturo Vasquez: Faith in the Time of Jim Crow Aug 4
The attitude of the apostles in the face of the crowd's unbelief.
Fr. John Jay Hughes: For the Greater Glory of God Jul 31
St. Ignatius Loyola
John Zmirak: Put the 'Mag' Back in Your Animus Jul 29
Perhaps the greatest soul in the history of Great Britain.
Fr. George Rutler: 1942 Jul 23
More glaring villains and shining saints than almost any other year.
Thomas Howard: A Portrait of Dietrich von Hildebrand Jul 22
"A 20th-century doctor of the Church."
Raymond Wray: On the Trail of the Ark Jul 13
History, religion, and the way the Ark is intertwined with both.
Fr. Dwight Longenecker: The Prophet of the Future Jul 10
We should be prepared to develop Benedict's mentality...
Fr. Roger Landry: Learning From Heroes Jul 8
The Mass was far greater than everything they might lose if caught.
Thomas Madden: The Church and the Jews in the Middle Ages Jul 8
Relationship marked by mutual respect and a remarkable degree of tolerance.
Fr. Roger Landry: Continuing the Imitation Jun 26
Fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith...
David Mills: The Greater Blessings Jun 22
...though a blessing that may take some getting used to.
Fr. John Jay Hughes: The Cure of Ars Jun 22
The patron saint of parish priests.
Michael Hogan: The Irish Soldiers of Mexico Jun 17
Unquestioned bravery forged an indelible seal of honor on their sacrifice.
Fr. Roger Landry: Heroic Paternity Jun 17
A model of behavior for all fathers.
Fr. Roger Landry: Son of Encouragement Jun 17
This man's virtues and actions are among those the Church most needs.
Andrew Cusack: Argentina Mourns an Honest Man Jun 12
Outstanding integrity, honesty, and incorruptibility.
Ronald Rychlak: Hitler's Mufti - The Dark Legacy of Haj Amin al-Husseini Jun 8
Common enemies brought them together to the detriment of mankind.
Fr. Roger Landry: Heroic Men in Red Jun 3
Models not just for Catholics in Africa, but across the globe.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Cheerful Face of Re-Evangelization May 27
What can we learn from St. Philip to help us in our task today?
Anthony Esolen: A Way of Beholding the World May 26
Blessed Margaret of Castello
George Sim Johnston: Back to the Beginning - The Ancient Catholic Church May 18
Almost everything we value in our civilization is by origin Catholic.
Fr. Roger Landry: Our Lady's Heroic Child Warriors May 13
A pure heart which "sees God" in all situations is a stronger weapon...
Fr. Roger Landry: Doctor Magnificus May 11
A courageous reformer and defender of the Church as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Confessor May 11
A modern St. Francis Xavier of the Confessional.
Fr. Roger Landry: Daily Martyr of the Confessional May 11
The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney.
Fr. Roger Landry: Spiritual Maternity May 11
St. Paula Frassinetti: A reminder of the true values of a woman.
Fr. Roger Landry: Martyr for National Unity May 11
One of the greatest and most inspiring biographies in our nation's history.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Fundamental Content of St. Paul's Conversion May 11
One of the pivotal movements not only in his life but in the history of the Church.
Fr. Roger Landry: Passing on the Faith May 11
Iit will be strong enough to last not just twelve generations but forever.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Martyrs of Japan May 11
Blessed Peter Kibe and Companions.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Holy Quah-hak-ka-num-ad May 11
A "living source of inspiration...for all Christ's disciples."
Fr. Roger Landry: A Much-Decorated Veteran of the Ongoing World War May 11
St. Martin battled for decades against spiritual barbarism — and he won.
Fr. John Jay Hughes: Woman of Letters May 1
Saint Catherine of Siena
Patrick Allitt: Catholic Anti-Communism Apr 13
"Utterly inhuman, in its indifference to justice, to mercy, to religion, even to logic."
Mary Jo Anderson: The Magdalene Apr 3
Accept the ancient legend of the saint and reject the Johnny-come-lately versions.
Lewis Lehrmann: Slavery and Abortion Mar 31
Unprecedented threat of destruction to innocent human life in America.
David Carlin: Newman and the Two Arnolds Mar 23
"Protestantism tends toward liberalism, and...liberalism tends toward atheism."
Fr. George Rutler: Pope Pius XII Mar 12
"A martyr but 'without the nails.'"
Fr. John Jay Hughes: A Saint for the Rest of Us Feb 23
We want so much, yet we settle for so little.
Alice von Hildebrand: Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Moore Feb 18
Lewis chose to carry a cross that would have broken the back of most men.
T. David Curp: A Necessary Bondage? When the Church Endorsed Slavery Feb 9
We do no service to Christ or His Church by refusing to acknowledge it.
Fr. John Jay Hughes: Francis de Sales Jan 26
"...not a matter of prohibitions and rules but a beautiful and joyful way of life."
Fr. John Jay Hughes: Mother Seton Jan 5
The first native-born American to be canonized.
Fr. Roger Landry: From Satanist to Saint Oct 31
No matter how far away from the faith one is, there's always hope.
Fr. Roger Landry: Achieving Our Highest Aspiration Oct 24
Blessed Bartolomé Marquez
Fr. Roger Landry: Hand-in-Hand in Heaven Oct 17
Role models for Catholic married couples.
Fr. Roger Landry: Another Form of Heroism Oct 10
"A lonely voice in the silence and darkness enveloping Europe."
Fr. Roger Landry: Living Up To Legitimate Expectations Oct 10
Desire and need that people have for the pope to speak out in response to evil.
Fr. Roger Landry: Monsieur Vincent Sep 26
A witness of how much good one person, impelled by God's love, can do.
Fr. Roger Landry: The Third Patron Sep 12
The martyrdom of St. Lawrence.
Fr. Roger Landry: Restoring All Things in Christ Aug 22
Pope St. Pius X
Fr. Roger Landry: The Face of the Good Samaritan Aug 15
The story of soon-to-be Saint Damien of Molokai.
Fr. Roger Landry: Our Lady's Holy Commander Jul 18
Not only one of the greatest military heroes in the history of Portugal.
Fr. Roger Landry: Mission Accomplished Mar 11
May she whose heart was like unto Mary's now rejoice among Mary in heaven.
Fr. Roger Landry: Following the Pilgrims Nov 20
They didn't give up hope.
Mike Shaw: Peg Entwistle - Making an Impact in Hollywood Jan 9
Tinseltown's most compelling stories are always off-screen.
Mike Shaw: First, They Came For The Truth Jan 4
Just one more deception brought to you by the usual suspects.
Deal Hudson: Saint Malachi Predicts the Election of Pope Benedict XVI Feb 2
Could it mean that the end is near?
Alfred Lagan: Free Trade and the Common Good Oct 27
An open trade system is a more effective anti-poverty program.
John Zmirak: Blood in August - On Avoiding World War III Aug 19
A War about Nothing.
Fr. George Rutler: Bent Juel-Jensen Jul 21
None could have been more curious than his own.
John Zmirak: Bastille Day - Baptism by Blood Jul 15
Explosion onto the world of ideologies that would poison the next two centuries.
Fr. George Rutler: Eric Lionel Mascall Jun 24
The greatest living 13th-century theologian.
Mark Stricherz: August 1968 - The Roots of the Liberal Coup Jun 19
How antiwar liberals overthrew what Lyndon Johnson called "the Catholic bosses."
Fr. George Rutler: Richmond Lattimore May 19
"Always in the sight of all mankind your fame shall be great..."
Mark Stricherz: On Race and Class, Liberals Need a History Lesson May 13
Fred Dutton, the campaign manager in 1968 for Bobby Kennedy.
Fr. George Rutler: William F. Buckley Jr. Apr 22
God, family, and beauty are the core of life.
John Burger: Growing Up with Dietrich - A Conversation with John Henry Crosby Dec 19
Dietrich von Hildebrand's work is enjoying something of a revival.
Fr. George Rutler: Dennis Clinton Graham Heiner Feb 11
Expected to hear nothing but hate...but only heard love.
Joanna Bogle: London, 1947 Jan 17
The crowds exude, somehow, a sense of normality.
Gerald Russello: Waiting for Christmas With Hilaire Belloc Dec 21
The Catholic apologist without apology.
Fr. George Rutler: Henry Hyde Dec 17
"A powerful defender of life, a leading advocate for a strong national defense..."
Fr. George Rutler: Erik Von Kuehnelt-Leddihn Nov 19
The 1930s were testing times for faithful Catholics in Austria.
Deal Hudson: Refuting the Attacks on Mother Teresa Sep 10
Will make her "accessible" to more people.
Fr. George Rutler: James Charles Risk Feb 5
Threw off the Calvinism that had shackled his youth and became a Catholic.
Fr. George Rutler: Maria Cristina Marconi Dec 31
"So run that ye may obtain."
Fr. George Rutler: Robert Francis Wilberforce Feb 4
Inherited much of that spark from the most religious and wittiest man in England.
Fr. George Rutler: Jerome Hines May 6
Mentioned Christ to the Soviet secret police and smuggled Bibles into the Kremlin.
