There is a Great Silence Over the Earth - Eric Sammons, The Divine Life

The Search for the Voice of God: Gregorian Chants are Preferable to Folk Music - Charles Lewis, National Post/Holy Post

Mysterium Paschale – Holy Saturday - Jake Tawney, The American Catholic

The Easter Vigil Mass - Mother Catherine Marie C.P., In the Shadow of His Wings

Jewish Convert: Tom Leopold - Why I’m Catholic

William Shakespeare, RIP and the Feast of Saint George - Stephanie A. Mann, Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation

The Greatest Protest Song Ever - Robert P. George, Mirror of Justice

Psalm 142, Part III: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Kate Edwards, Australia Incognita

“Perfect Cheadle” -...READ MORE

There are as many answers to the title of this book as there are people who knew, met or were influenced by Pope John Paul II. Msgr. Slawomir Oder’s answer stems from his role as postulator in Karol Wojtyla’s cause for canonization.

Msgr. Oder’s book is less a traditional biography than a focus on Wojtyla’s life from the viewpoint of the religious faith which animated it. The focus is on what made Wojtyla “tick” spiritually — his faith, his prayer life and the primacy of the spiritual in shaping his actions.

Msgr. Oder generally follows the chronology of Wojtyla’s life, but he is not unduly restricted by strict biography, often making his case using anecdotes that color and flavor the “pure...READ MORE

The Empty Tabernacle - David G. Bonagura Jr., The Catholic Thing

Four Myths about the Crusades - Paul F. Crawford, First Principles

Cohabitation & the Abuse of America’s Children - W. Bradford Wilcox, Public Discourse

Meditation on the Crucifix for Single Catholics - Anthony Buono, 6 Stone Jars

Good Friday in Pre-Reformation England - Stephanie A. Mann, Supremacy and Survival: The English Reformation

How Does the Weakness of the Cross Make Us Strong? - Doctor Peter Kreeft, The Integrated Catholic Life™

When French Fundamentalists Attack - Terry Mattingly, Get Religion

Mount Adams at Midnight, Praying the “Steps” - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons

The Hallel Psalms and the Last Supper -...READ MORE

Early in the morning before sunrise — after the denizens of the night have ceased their chorus and before the birds herald the day — have you ever noticed how quiet it is?

Utter silence, filled with anticipation for the new day.

Amid Triduum 2011, we once again stand on the threshold of celebrating the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind by his sacrifice. Between the sorrow of Good Friday and Easter’s elation, there lies Holy Saturday.

In his meditation on “The Mystery of Holy Saturday” last May in Turin before its famous shroud, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Holy Saturday is the day when God remains hidden. We read in an ancient homily: ‘What has happened? Today the...READ MORE

Even as the Catholic publishing world has been struggling, there’s growing interest in fiction among Catholic publishers — and readers.

Author Michelle Buckman’s Rachel’s Contrition has struck a chord with modern readers, becoming an Amazon bestseller.

The novel launched Sophia Institute Press’ women’s fiction line.

Editor Regina Doman says it’s an impactful read: “It’s about a woman who loses everything when tragedy strikes her infant daughter: Her life begins to turn around when she finds a holy card of St. Thérèse in the parking lot. … It’s a tough, gritty read for adults.”

Buckman, who is also the author of Death Panels (TAN Books/St. Benedict’s Press), a 2010 political thriller...READ MORE

The Face of God - Father Dwight Longenecker, Standing on my Head

Oh, Now I Understand - Joseph Knippenberg, First Things/First Thoughts

Passion and Pathology - Mike Aquilina, The Ways of the Fathers

Faith and the Badge: A Conversation with Martin Browne - Brian Saint-Paul, InsideCatholic

Disaster at Hereford - Once I Was A Clever Boy

Raymundus Locutus, Causa Finita (Wearing Veils in Mass) - Doctor Ed Peters, In the Light of the Law

. . . Father Zuhlsdorf comments here . . .

New Urbanism and Virtue - Jake Tawney, The American Catholic

Blessed Sacrament Church, Cypress Hills, Brooklyn (1891 A.D.) - Pat McNamara, McNamara’s Blog

Psalm 142, Part 2: Seeking Knowledge of God’s Ways -...READ MORE

Cardinal Mahony, my brother bishops, my dear brother priests and deacons; religious and consecrated men and women, seminarians; all of you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

This is a special moment of grace for me. This is my first chrism Mass with my brother bishops and priests, my first co-workers in the apostolic work of building the Kingdom of God here in the great Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

I love this ceremony in which we bless the holy oils — the signs and instruments through which our priests carry out their ministry of salvation.

It is so fitting that we do this during Holy Week. For these signs of divine grace draw the supernatural power they communicate from the...READ MORE

Evangelical Convert: Pam Forrester - Why I’m Catholic

What Impact Will the New Ordinariate Faithful Make? - Damian Thompson, Telegraph

The Royal Maundy - Once I Was A Clever Boy

The Priest Who Changed the Way We Treat the Mentally Ill - Spiritual Life, Catholic Herald

New Hungarian Constitution Invokes Saint Stephen, Abolishes Abortion - Tancred, The Eponymous Flower

The Eucharist Makes the Church - Eric Sammons, The Divine Life

Screen Pilates:  Richard Boone - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic

Holy Thursday - Mike Aquilina, The Way of the Fathers

Was There a Passover Lamb at the Last Supper? - Brant Pitre, The Sacred Page

Son Rise - Father John Bartunek, Catholic Spiritual...READ MORE