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The Deacon's Bench

And I mean, a kick in the ashes. Sometimes, it’s hard to know where reality ends and satire begins. Evidently, this weird news isn’t satire: Dutch Catholics have re-branded the Lent fast as the “Christian Ramadan” in an attempt to appeal to young people who are more likely to know about Islam than Christianity. The…

Not long ago, a reader wrote in and asked if I knew of any places for a man with a late vocation. I directed him to this seminary, in Massachusetts. And now a local paper has done a story about a 62-year-old who’s about to be ordained from there: Bill Korpi has been in the…

The prayer below was offered by Pope John Paul II at the conclusion of the rosary, during his final pilgrimage to Lourdes in August, 2004: Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman,Blessed by the Most High!Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era,We join in your song of praise,to celebrate the Lord’s mercy,to proclaim the coming…

This Sunday is World Marriage Day, sponsored by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter. My parish is marking the event with a mass that will feature speakers on Marriage Encounter and, at the end of mass, a renewal of vows. I’ve been invited to preach. Below is my homily for this occasion. Not long ago, I heard…

This news is not exactly the sort of thing you want to read as you’re getting ready to head to mass on Sunday morning. But it’s happening more and more: Armed sheriff’s deputies removed the last man from the Catholic church here 10 days ago, pasting “No Trespassing” signs on the doors as they left…

Been to confession lately? ‘Tis the season, you know. And if you need a good excuse to go, take a moment to read this compelling rumination on the sacrament by Elizabeth Scalia: My recollection of confession as a child is a mostly positive one, partly because in the confessional, mystery could be wedded to imagination.…

The picture below was sent to me by my friend and deacon classmate Bill McNamara, who got it from a woman he knows in Minnesota. It’s her youngest child at this week’s Ash Wednesday service. Deacon Bill thought I might want to file it away to use on my blog next year. I think you’ll…

Sunday, we’ll be marking World Marriage Day, sponsored by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Our parish will be hosting a special mass for the event, and Your Humble Blogger will be preaching for the occasion. (Homily to come!) In anticipation of that, and Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d post what has become one of the most…

Still stumped about what you can give up for Lent? Check out these 25 suggestions, courtesy Busted Halo. Some highlights: 15) Make a commitment to “fast” from cruel comments about others. 16) As a part of your Lenten almsgiving, make a point to learn as much about a particular social issue (immigration, human trafficking, racism,…

Well, now here’s an interesting insight into Hillary Clinton’s popularity among Catholics. It’s all because of the most powerful and influential force in the lives of many middle-aged Catholics. I’m speaking, of course, of nuns. From The New York Times today: Hillary Rodham Clinton has run away with the votes of Roman Catholic Democrats in…
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