Fr. Francisco Suarez: What is a Properly Said Hail Mary Worth? - Taylor Marshall, Canterbury Tales

John Wayne Died a Catholic - Pat McNamara, McNamara’s Blog

New South Dakota Bishop: Msgr. Rob. D. Gruss - Robert Kumpel, The Last Papist Standing

NCReporter’s Editor & Publisher Passed Away: Joseph Feuerherd,  R.I.P. - Father John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS?

Monarch Profile: James V, King of Scots - The Mad Monarchist

What Is: Mary Mother of God - Deacon Mike Bickerstaff, The Integrated Catholic Life™

Apologetics Toolbox: Communion of Saints, Part I - Anthony S. Lane, Outside the Asylum

Oprah, Pop Existentialist, At Best - Carl Olson, Ignatius Insight Scoop

“Illegal” Babies Abducted by Red...READ MORE

ROCKVILLE, Md. (CNS) — Joseph Feuerherd, editor-in-chief and publisher of the National Catholic Reporter, died May 26 after an 18-month battle with metastasized soft tissue sarcoma. He was 48.

He died at the Montgomery Hospice’s Casey House in Rockville with his family at his side.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

Feuerherd had been editor-in-chief and publisher of the lay-edited weekly newspaper, based in Kansas City, Mo., since October 2008.

At the time of his appointment, he said he was thrilled the NCR board had chosen him, but he was also “humbled and energized by the opportunity to lead a publication that is vital to American Catholics who love their Church.”

Before taking the...READ MORE

How to Plant a Mary Garden - Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, Catholic Exchange

On the Council of Jerusalem & the Catholicity of the Early Church - Monsignor Charles Pope, Archdiocese of Washington

Catholic Conservatives, Catholic Liberals, & the Common Good - Stephen P. White, The Catholic Thing

The Filipino Excommunication That Isn’t - Doctor Ed Peters, In the Light of the Law

UK Moves Towards a Faith-Free Workplace - Peter Saunders, MercatorNet

Supreme Court to Decide on Faith Exemption in Quebec Religion Class - Brenda Branswell, National Post/Holy Post

NYC Teacher Claims She Was Harassed, Then Fired Over Her Christian Faith - Billy Hallowell

Public Education: Absurd and Corrupt at...READ MORE

PHILADELPHIA — In 2005, a grand jury in Philadelphia criticized Church officials for transferring accused priests to other parishes throughout the archdiocese, fueling a scandal that prompted policy changes. In February 2011, a second grand jury report resulted in the criminal indictment of three priests and a teacher for the rape of two boys more than a decade ago. Further, Msgr. William Lynn, the archdiocesan secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004, was charged on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The 2011 grand jury report also attacked the archdiocese for permitting additional priests with “credible” allegations of sexual abuse to remain in ministry. After initially...READ MORE

How Your Parish & Your Pastor Can Legally Lobby! (& still be tax-exempt) - Thomas Peters, Catholic Vote/American Papist

The Maid of Orleans Who Tried to Rescue France - Catholic Herald

Pope Benedict on Spiritual Direction - Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction

Catholic All-Stars - Colin Kerr, The Theology of Dad

Poll: Nearly 1/3 of Russians Believe Historic Division of Christians ta Mistake - Patrick Madrid

Buddhist Convert: Paul Williams - Why I’m Catholic

Goodbye Oprah - Paul Zummo, The American Catholic

Publicly a Catholic, Privately a Heretic - Phil Lawler, CatholicCulture.org/On the News

Why New American Bible Scholars Are Wrong on John 21 & Luke 5 - Joe Heschmeyer,...READ MORE

JERUSALEM — Exhausted by decades of conflict, residents of the Holy Land are pessimistic that the peace initiative unveiled by President Barack Obama on May 19 will lead to peace.

Local Christians, though deeply rooted in their faith, have pretty much given up hope that there will ever be an end to the suffering.

Most local Christians, who are ethnically Palestinians, believe that Israel has only its interests, and not theirs, at heart.

Alex, the owner of a Christian shop in the narrow alleyway leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City, laughed ruefully when asked about his hopes for the future.

“You’ve come too late, my dear. There is no future,” said Alex, who...READ MORE

What’s a Primate??? - Giuseppe Ambrose, The Three Bs

Saint Katharine of Aragon: Patroness of Rome-Canterbury Unity? - The American Spectator

The Drama of Faith: Poets, Prophets and Actors - Mark Shea, Catholic Exchange

The Supreme Gift (John 14:13-21) - Father John Bartunek, Catholic Spiritual Direction

Christopher Dawson, RIP - Stephanie A. Mann, The English Reformation: Supremacy and Survival

Could We Re-Learn Respect & Modesty by Covering Our Heads at Mass? - Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald

Saint Thomas Becket and Three Plays - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic

Is Spiritual Direction Really For Everybody? - Reginaldus, The New Theological Movement

The Unsung Heroine Who...READ MORE

VATICAN CITY — The positio of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, which summarizes the life and holiness of the late TV preacher, was presented this morning to Pope Benedict XVI by Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria, Ill.

The two volumes of the positio, compiled by the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, were given to the Holy Father at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. Also presented were letters from cardinals and bishops from around the world written in favor of the cause.

On receiving the documents, the Pope recalled fond memories of working with Archbishop Sheen when they collaborated on mission activities and served on commissions together.

Today’s presentation is...READ MORE