Odds and Ends

In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard (Matthew 6:7). This is a favourite passage from the Bible that is used by Fundamentalists to condemn Catholics. They believe that reciting pre-written prayers and following liturgies are vain repetitions which Jesus … Read moreVain Repetition: The Rosary and the Holy Souls

To the Most Reverend Raymond Séguy, Bishop of Autun, Châlon and Mâcon, Abbot of Cluny 1. This year, when we are celebrating the millennium of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, established by St. Odilo, fifth Abbot of Cluny, the centenary of the foundation of the Archfraternity of Our Lady of Cluny, committed to … Read more“I Urge Catholics to Pray for the Dead” – St. Pope John Paul II

“… After eight days [after the Feast of Easter] let there be another feast observed with honor, the eighth day itself on which He [Jesus] gave me Thomas, who was hard of belief, full assurance, by showing me the print of the nails, and the wound made in His side by the spear.” St. Thomas … Read moreDivine Mercy for the Holy Souls

An ancient but mostly unknown custom of the Church is the offering of a daily Mass for 30 days for a soul in Purgatory. After the Masses are said, the soul would immediately be freed from Purgatory and enter Heaven. As its name implies, Gregorian Masses were named after St. Gregory the Great who was … Read moreGregorian Masses

October 31. Halloween. A headache for parents, an event that children anticipate all year. This is a challenging time for parents because they have to get some type of costume for their children and buy large amounts of candy for those who will visit their humble abode on that day. Children enjoy this day because … Read moreScary Stuff: All Hallows Eve

The last Jubilee was declared by the Church in the year 2000. In this year, a new set of indulgences has been declared for this Jubilee and future ones (the next one likely to be in 2050). With the new indulgences, we can do a great deal to help release the holy souls from Purgatory. … Read moreJubilee Indulgences

You want to gain a Jubilee indulgence. That’s great. There’s one problem. You noticed that your surrounded by water and there doesn’t seem to be any floating cathedrals or churches anywhere nearby. This is the dilemma of people who work on ships and even those who are on cruise vacations. But its the Catholic Church … Read moreIndulgences on the High Seas

The first question you are probably wondering is what is an “enchiridion”? A quick definition is that it means a collection. The next question is why would theologians give a name like that to a book. The answer is that people who are very well educated like to confuse people outside their field with terms … Read moreThe Enchiridion of Indulgences