What a Year It's Been

Inside this issue, as we ring in 2012, we are pleased to present our 2011 year in review, highlighting many of the top stories the Register has covered in the last 12 months.

Our coverage is beautifully anchored by the page-one photo taken at the beatification Mass of Pope John Paul II in May — and continues with a year of notable quotes on page 2 and our pictorial look at the national, world and Vatican events of 2011 on pages 3, 4 and 5.

But for me, the year’s top story was EWTN’s acquisition of the Register.

On Feb. 1, Mother Angelica’s dream of having a newspaper as part of her worldwide Catholic communications apostolate became a reality. The EWTN family has been enriched by our relationship with the Register — and by the prayers and support of so many devoted readers.

We reflect on 2011 with gratitude, as we look forward with joy to a new year of God’s grace for all of us. God bless you!

Edward Reginald Frampton, “The Voyage of St. Brendan,” 1908, Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin.

Which Way Is Heaven?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s mystic west was inspired by the legendary voyage of St. Brendan, who sailed on a quest for a Paradise in the midst and mists of the ocean.