WASHINGTON (EWTN News)—New guidelines for Mass celebration do not discourage laypersons’ reception of holy Communion under the forms of both bread and wine, contrary to early reports about a change in practice.

“In recent weeks, there have been questions regarding current liturgical law for the United States in offering holy Communion under both kinds to the faithful during Mass,” wrote Archbishop Gregory Aymond, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Divine Worship, in an Oct. 26 letter to the country’s Catholic hierarchy.

“In light of these questions,” he stated, “it is hoped that the following clarifications will prove helpful.”

The letter goes on to explain that the 2011...READ MORE

WASHINGTON (EWTN News)—The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution reaffirming the United States’ official motto: “In God We Trust.”

The non-binding resolution, introduced by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., passed by a vote of 396 to 9. It encourages the motto’s public display “in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions.”

“Today, as in other times of division and difficulty in our nation’s history, the House of Representatives again reaffirmed ‘In God We Trust’ as our official motto and, in so doing, provided clarity amidst a cloud of confusion about our nation’s spiritual heritage and offered inspiration to an American people that face challenges...READ MORE

After the Desert: A Faithful Catholic’s Reflection on Same-Sex Attraction - Steve Gershom, Our Sunday Visitor

Breaking Bad Liturgical Habits - George Weigel, First Things/On the Square

Moral Economics 101 - Anna Williams, VirtuousPla.net

The United Nations and Human Life Issues - The Motely Monk, The American Catholic

SSPX Superiors Unanimously Agreed to Reject Vatican’s Doctrinal Preamble - Cranmer

A Misguiding Note from the Vatican - Fr. Michael P. Orsi, Crisis Magazine

Justice & Peace. . . and the Financial Crisis - George J. Marlin, The Catholic Thing

Following “The Way” - Matthew A. Rarey, Catholic World Report

The Utilitarian Temptation - Melanie Baker, HLI America

Sexy in...READ MORE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — To understand Bishop Robert Finn’s indictment for failure to report suspected child abuse it is helpful to know a little about the world he walked into when he was appointed to lead the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in 2004. From the beginning, this “theological conservative” was not particularly welcome.

In May 2006, the National Catholic Reporter tallied up the numerous changes Bishop Finn had implemented in the diocese as though they were counts in an indictment. The Talk to Action blog, meanwhile, described the bishop’s establishment of a Respect Life Office as a giant step in his “march backwards” and a clear sign that “biological issues now take precedence...READ MORE

And Yet, It Moves - George Cardinal Pell, MercatorNet

Enjoying God’s Creation - Sean Lewis, Cowboys-Philosophers-And-Poets

Path to God - Sr. Lisa Marie Doty FDCC, VirtuousPla.net

Royals can Marry Catholics, Keith Cardinal O’Brien Comments - Ian Dunn, Scottish Catholic Observer

French Police Brutality against Catholic Demonstrators - Jeanne Smits, Life Site News

Ideas Have Consequences: Eclipse of Happiness - Dennis Buonafede, Integrated Catholic Life™

Natural Law for Doubters - Joseph Stuart, Crisis Magazine

New Translation: Eucharistic Prayer IV, Part III (Epiclesis & Institution Narrative) - Jake Tawney, RLE

Our Greatest Living Political Philosopher - Peter Augustine Lawler, The...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY — On today’s Solemnity of All Souls, Pope Benedict XVI reflected upon death and the hope that Christian faith brings to it.

“As human beings, we have a natural fear of death and we rebel against its apparent finality,” Pope Benedict said to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly general audience. 

“Faith teaches us that the fear of death is lightened by a great hope, the hope of eternity, which gives our lives their fullest meaning. The God who is love offers us the promise of eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son.”

Therefore, said the Pope, “in Christ, death no longer appears as an abyss of emptiness, but rather a path to life which...READ MORE

He died a devoted family man, with his wife and children at his bedside. But Steve Jobs didn’t come into the world as the object of his parents’ devotion. His birth was complicated and all too human in its details, and yet his story upends the notion that “unwanted” children are doomed from the start.

Jobs’ death saddened many of his admirers, who developed a firsthand appreciation for his commitment to excellence and viewed Apple’s explosive success as a bright spot amid unrelenting economic gloom. But I’ve always been more intrigued with the backstory of his closely guarded personal life, and thus welcomed Walter Isaacson’s newly released biography, Steve Jobs.

Isaacson does not...READ MORE

WASHINGTON (EWTN News)—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling on citizens to urge the U.S. Senate to reject a bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

“Protecting marriage as the faithful and lifelong union of one man and one woman is critical to the common good,” said a recent action alert posted on the website for the bishops’ conference, USCCB.org.

The alert warned of the “national impact” that would be felt if the Defense of Marriage Act, which is “essential to protecting marriage,” were to be repealed.

The federal Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996 by a wide bipartisan margin and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The act applies the...READ MORE