By Thomas Farr. But first a note from Robert Royal: Longtime advocate for religious freedom around the world, Tom Farr, reminds us today of something we shouldn't need reminding of: our first freedom. One of the greatest challenges facing us today is the way that many have tried to paint that fundamental liberty - and the things that flow from it l…

By Randall Smith. But first a note from Robert Royal: We're starting to close in on our targets for this fundraising campaign but we need a bunch more of you to act immediately. You don't want to see me beg. Do you? Now for today's column... Ignoring bottlenecks, multiplying touchpoints, creating information silos. These are widely discussed practi…

By Robert Royal. But first a note: Sometimes it goes right. One of the most iconic churches in Christendom returned to active use again this weekend. Resurrection to even greater life is a central feature of Christianity. And it's worth recalling that much else that we may consider beyond repair in our culture may just be waiting for the right effo…

By David G Bonagura, Jr... Advent curiously proceeds from the future to the past, from the arrival of Christ at the end of time to the arrival of the infant Christ millennia ago at Bethlehem. The bridge joining the two is St. John the Baptist's message that still applies for us in the present: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthe…

By George J. Marlin. But first a note from Robert Royal: Everyone knows that Catholics supported the president-elect in surprising numbers. But today, George Marlin, drawing on information from one of the Trump pollsters, makes clear just how surprising a turn it is, especially among Hispanics. Most analysts have expected that Hispanics would remai…

By Michael Pakaluk. But first a note from Robert Royal: Professor Pakaluk - who I'm happy to say will be with us at our January 25th anniversary gala next month (click here for tickets) - explains today what has gone wrong with our whole educational system as well as the consequences for all of us as individuals and as a society. It's going to take…

By Fr. Gerald E. Murray. But first a note from Robert Royal: Our colleague Fr. Gerald Murray tells a story today that we hear all too rarely: the decades of satisfaction and enjoyment that priests, religious, and laypeople experience by living lives faithful to Catholic truth. There are many challenges to such lives today, both outside and inside t…

ByFrancis X. Maier But first a note from Robert Royal: As Fran Maier makes clear today, one of the principles that distinguishes Catholics from many Protestants is a theological point with practical consequences. All Christians should know that our salvation is a free gift from God. None of us earns Heaven. But Catholics believe that accepting God'…

By Brad Miner. But first a note from Robert Royal: I'm grateful for the way we're moving steadily along in our funding drive, but we frankly need to step things up. Some readers have written to say that they will give later for various reasons. And that, of course, is fine. Still, there's no time like now. And it's by having a sense - now - of what…

But first a note from Robert Royal: Today we have two commentaries on a horrific development in England - the approval of an assisted suicide law. Fr. Kiely writes from London; Professor Esolen from closer to home. Before final approval, there are still some hurdles for the proponents to get over. But we know from sad experience in other countries …

By Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy. In the Office of Readings recently, a second-century anonymous author exhorted his readers to "take courage." This counsel brought to mind an event from my distant past that still resonates as we begin this Advent season. I was about to begin my doctrinal studies at King's College, and it was dark when I arrived at our Ca…

By Father Raymond J. de Souza But first a note from Robert Royal: Fr. de Souza lays out a series of interesting events in today's column, which point towards a different spirit and direction for the Church in the very near future. But NOW is the time to keep the faith as a living energy and to think through where, precisely, we need to go. That's a…

By David Warren. But first a note from Robert Royal: As David Warren argues today - and we all always need to keep in mind - we've all been given a great gift that transcends all our earthly concerns. We experienced something of the heavenly banquet yesterday in our Thanksgiving Day celebrations. But today we must be back offering our own gifts. Th…

By Stephen P. White. Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday. No other holiday captures so well the history, temperament, and aspirations of this nation. The distinctive traditions of Christmas, for example - the tree, the carols, Santa Claus - are decidedly, and charmingly, Old World traditions. The Fourth of July is a riot of firework…

In my previous column, I recommended that every diocese establish at least one library, as part of the Church's mission to be the Mater et magistra ("Mother and teacher"), to a barbarian world. I described the kinds of books I have found at antique stores and junk shops, and even our town dump, whence I have gathered complete hardcover sets of the …

By Randall Smith But first a note from Robert Royal: Thanks to everyone who responded yesterday to the opening of our end-of-year fundraising drive. Your generosity is what enables all of our activities. But we're only at the beginning and need to move ahead swiftly if we're going to be able to bring you the very best in Catholic commentary every m…

I've got some surprising news. It was surprising to me, at least, and will probably be a surprise to you as well. This very month, November 2024, marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Faith & Reason Institute, the umbrella non-profit organization under whose auspices The Catholic Thing, our TCT Courses, the Fides et Ratio semina…

What does it mean to be a king? That's at the heart of the conversation between Pontius Pilate and our Lord. (see John 18:33-37) Pilate stands there as a representative of the Roman Empire, possessing some kingly authority and wanting more, seeing kingship as simply having power. For him, a king rules by force. Jesus, on the other hand, stands as a…

As the liturgical year comes to an end, the Church's readings become decidedly eschatological, focusing on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. A recent Sunday reading from Daniel tells us, "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace."…

I recently saw a request on social media for people to say why they were Christians in five words or less. I was tempted to paraphrase Chesterton's reason for his Catholicism and use three words: "It is true." Then I remembered novelist and Catholic convert Walker Percy, when asked why he had converted to Catholicism, responded: "What else is there…

By Michael Pakaluk But first a note: Be sure to tune in tonight - Thursday, November 21st at 8 PM Eastern - to EWTN for a new episode of the Papal Posse on 'The World Over.' TCT Editor-in-Chief Robert Royal and contributor Fr. Gerald E. Murray will join host Raymond Arroyo to discuss the Vatican's new Mayan rite, the U.S. bishops on President Trump…

In the late 1960s, the University of Notre Dame was still an all-male institution. The Vietnam War was in full swing. So were the campus protests. The draft still applied. Illegal drugs were just starting to make an appearance. And South Bend winters had all the charm of a Soviet gulag camp in the Arctic. Into the bleak wasteland of February 1969 -…

I am an inveterate rummager in the ruins of an ancient civilization. Our own. But I am only one man. That is why I believe that the Church must take up this task of preservation, or rather must seize the opportunity to become, once again and in the broadest sense, Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) to a barbarian world. Let me suggest one means…

The Dante's post-election crowing and whinging are both already wearying. The race is decided. What matters now is not endless analyses of how or why the winners won (that's best left to journalists, political consultants, and other practitioners of dark arts), but what they will do. I expect a lot. But before the recent campaign passes into the me…

By David G Bonagura, Jr. Rummaging through my desk last month, I uncovered a single sheet of white paper. A dozen names were written in black ink. I knew immediately what the sheet was for. Each November, my high school and college almae matres invite their alumni to submit names of deceased loved ones to be remembered at Masses in their chapels. T…