phatcatholic apologetics

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Black Catholics in America and Beyond
2008-01-21 22:17:00
Since today is Martin Luther King Day, I thought it would be appropriate to provide some resources about prominent African and African-America n Catholics .According to the National Black Catholic Congress, "270 million Catholics of African descent represent almost 25% of the one billion Roman Catholics throughout the world in more than 59 countries" (source). Almost 3 million of these live in the United States (source).Some African saints include:22 Martyrs of UgandaSt. Anthony the Great of ThebesSt. Antonio VieiraSt. AugustineSt. Benedict the MoorSts. Felicitas and PerpetuaSt. Martin de PorresSt. MonicaSt. Moses the BlackSt. VictoriaSt. Josephine BakhitaI'm sure there are many others as well! There are also at least three African popes:Pope St. Victor I (189-199)Pope St. Miltiades (311-314)Pope St. Gelasius I (492-496)For a list of current and deceased African-American and Black bishops, go here. Wikipedia's List of African-American Firsts is a great tribute as well. For more on B...
More About: Resources

Daily Dose of Discernment: 1/20/08
2008-01-21 20:09:00
It is remarkable that in so many great wars it is the defeated who have won. The people who were left worst at the end of the war were generally the people who were left best at the end of the whole business. For instance, the Crusades ended in the defeat of the Christians. But they did not end in the decline of the Christians; they ended in the decline of the Saracens. That huge prophetic wave of Moslem power which had hung in the very heavens above the towns of Christendom: that wave was broken, and never came on again. The Crusades had saved Paris in the act of losing Jerusalem. The same applies to that epic of Republican war in the eighteenth century to which we Liberals owe our political creed. The French Revolution ended in defeat; the kings came back across a carpet of dead at Waterloo. The Revolution had lost its last battle, but it had gained its first object. It had cut a chasm. The world has never been the same since.-- G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles- - - - - - - - -...
More About: Daily , Dose

Poll-Release Monday #42
2008-01-21 18:12:00
I know, everyone wants to know what I plan on doing with the daily content, but we have to get the business stuff out of the way first.SOOoooo, here is the new poll question for the week:"What is your favorite sacramental?"holy waterholy oilashesscapularrosaryblessed medalsmaking the sign of the Crossiconsstatuesincensebellsblessed palmsThere's a lot to choose from there! It will be interesting to see which option is the favorite. Of course, this week's poll question is inspired by my current debate on holy water. To vote, see the poll in my sidebar. If you're not sure what a sacramental is, just check out these articles.That said, on to the results of the previous poll:"Which daily content would you like to see here in 2008?"Switch to "Daily with G. K. Chesterton": 25 (41%)Switch to "Daily with the Early Church Fathers": 22 (36%)Keep "Daily with De Sales": 12 (20%)Switch to "Daily with Augustine": 2 (3%)TOTAL VOTES: 61First of all, I'm really please with the turn out for this o...
More About: Poll , Polls , Release , Monday

Daily with De Sales: 1/20/08
2008-01-20 21:39:00
State openly that you desire to be devout. I do not say that you should assert that you are devout but that you desire to be devout. Do not be ashamed to practice the ordinary, necessary actions that bring us to the love of God. Acknowledge frankly that you are trying to meditate, that you would rather die than commit a mortal sin, that you are resolved to frequent the sacraments and to follow your director's advice. This candid confession of our desire to serve God and to consecrate ourselves entirely to His love is most acceptable to His Divine Majesty.-- INT. V, Ch. 18; O. III, p. 365
More About: Daily , Sales

"Rhology" on Postures of Prayer and Idol Worship
2008-01-20 05:59:00
Recently, someone who goes by the name of "Rhology" made a post over at Beggars All: Reformation about the supposed idolatrous actions of Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox) in kneeling/bowing down before statues and icons. Apparently, the distinction that Catholics make between ??????? (Lat. latria, "worship of God") and ??????? (Lat. dulia, "reverence of the saints") is "ad hoc and imaginary." I would like to address these claims.First, let's outline his argument. It basically goes like this: Exo 20:4-5 says that we should neither bow down to nor serve any graven imageThe Hebrew word for "serve" in that verse is 'abad.In translating this Hebrew word, the Septuagint (or LXX), uses both latreuo and douleuo (the two Greek words from which derive our Latin words latria and dulia).In other words, both Greek words mean "to serve" in the LXX.Therefore, the distinction that Catholics make between latria and dulia is not made in the Bible.Since the Bible condemns the "service"/latria/dulia ...
More About: Debates , Spirituality , Prayer , Worship , Communion of Saints

Daily with De Sales: 1/19/08
2008-01-20 01:06:00
Our Lord Jesus Christ died for love of us, so we should, if required, be prepared to die for Him. Even if we cannot die for love of Him, we can at least live for Him alone. If we do not live for Him alone, we are really the most treacherous and ungrateful of creatures. Then is it true that the Divine Redeemer died for us?...Yes, He died nailed to the cross to give us life. Those die who do not imitate him, since there is neither death nor resurrection apart from the One on the cross.-- Sermons 65; O. X, p. 364
More About: Daily , Sales

Resources for the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2008-01-19 00:40:00
This week, January 18-25, is the centennial Week of Prayer for Christian Unity . The official webpage provides the following summary: January 18 ? 25, 2008 marks 100 years since the Society of the Atonement began praying for Christian unity during the first Church Unity Octave. In honor of the centenary, the Society of the Atonement is sponsoring events to promote Christian unity and sharing their successful experiences in the ecumenical movement. Throughout 2008, join Christians everywhere in praying "that they may all be one" joining our prayer with that of the Lord Jesus Christ.Theme for this year is: "Pray without ceasing." It comes from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians: 1 Thes 5:11-18 (DRB) For which cause comfort one another and edify one another, as you also do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work?s sake. Have peace with them. 14 A...
More About: Resources

Daily with De Sales: 1/18/08
2008-01-19 00:26:00
To persevere in the devout life it is a matter of deciding upon some excellent and generous maxims, with the right intention. The first I would suggest to you is that of Saint Paul, "All turns out well for those who love God." [cf. Rom 8:28] If we agree that God can and does draw good out of evil, will He not do that especially for those who give themselves to Him without reserve? Even our very sins (from which may God preserve us!) are destined by Providence for the good of those who serve God. If David had not sinned, he would not have learned his deep sense of humility! ...-- Letters 1420; O. XVIII, p. 209
More About: Daily , Sales

More Catechetical Resources
2008-01-18 05:12:00
If you click on the "Catechetical Materials" button in my sidebar you'll find a new sub-section. I was tired of having to search google every time I needed a document for class. So, now there's a section with all of the catechetical (or related) documents in one place.This should be particularly helpful for anyone who wants to learn more about how the Church wishes for us to go about our catechetical, evangelical, educational, and missionary endeavors. In collecting the various documents, I found a cool link too: Church Documents on Catholic Education.You can never have too many resources.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
More About: Resources

Holy Water Debate: Parts 3-6
2008-01-17 17:57:00
I have a major update to make in the Holy Water debate. First off, here is what we have accomplished so far:Part 1: Phatcatholic Opening StatementPart 2: Phatcatholic Answers Questions 1, 2, and 3Part 3: Turretinfan Opening StatementPart 4: Turretinfan Answers Questions 1, 2, and 3Part 5: Turretinfan RebuttalPart 6: Phatcatholic RebuttalThe only thing left is for each of us to write our Concluding Statements. This has been an interesting debate and it has caused me to do a ton of research into a topic I might not have studied otherwise. It has also sparked quite a debate in the blogosphere, thanks to Dave Armstrong's post (see the comments on that post and his follow-up).What follows us my Rebuttal Statement. As always, comments are welcome.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -I am using this rebuttal to respond to your opening statement. In that statement, you wrote the following:There are three examples of water being used in healing, Naaman in the Jordan, the pool of Bethe...
More About: Debates , Spirituality , Debate , Parts

Daily with De Sales: 1/17/08
2008-01-17 17:52:00
Considered in themselves, tribulations certainly cannot be loved, but considered in their origin, namely in the Providence of the Divine Will which has brought them about, they are to be loved with an infinite love. Just consider Moses' staff: laid on the ground, it was a ferocious serpent; in the hands of Moses it was a wonder-working wand. In like manner, tribulations in themselves are terrible, but considered as a manifestation of the will of God they are indications of love and delight. Likewise, love either removes the harshness of the trial or renders it lovable.-- T.L.G. Book 3, Ch. 2; O. V, pp. 112-113
More About: Daily , Sales

Daily with De Sales: 1/16/08
2008-01-17 17:49:00
It is a very fine thing to feel ashamed of oneself when one realizes one's own imperfections and misery, but the feeling must not drag on lest one lose heart. It is necessary to raise the heart to God with a holy confidence, founded not in our strength but in God. We indeed change, but God never does; He always remains equally good and merciful toward us, whether we are weak and imperfect or perfect and strong. I always say that our misery is the throne of God's mercy, and so we must realize that the greater our misery, the greater should be our confidence in Him.-- Spiritual Discourses II; O. VI, p. 22
More About: Daily , Sales

Daily with De Sales: 1/15/07
2008-01-16 01:05:00
Iam not terribly concerned about living out these brief and passing moments, so long as I can live eternally with my God in glory. We have already started out on our trip to eternity, and we have taken the first steps; provided our eternity is a happy one, why worry about the passing moments of trial in this life? These tribulations last three or four days and are to be followed by so much eternal glory and joy! How is it possible that we are not prepared to put up with them?... Everything that has no bearing on eternity is mere vanity.-- A.S. p. 359
More About: Daily , Sales

Too Close to Call
2008-01-14 22:48:00
I have decided to let the poll run for another week. Right now, it's a close race between G.K. Chesterton (13 votes) and the early Church Fathers (15 votes). I want to see if any of the options pull ahead as the clear favorite. If, by next Monday, it's still really close, then I'll either do them both at the same time, or one of the four options every 3 months.Thank you all for voting. If you haven't voted yet....what's wrong with you?!?! Vote in the poll in my sidebar.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
More About: Close , Call

There's No Place Like Home
2008-01-14 22:20:00
I talked to my apartment manager and she said that as long as I turned in the recertification packet ASAP then she won't terminate my lease.*queue the collective sigh of reliefThat was a close one! Thank you all so much for your prayers. My readers are awesome. "Ebeth" even volunteered her pop-up camper! :D You all gave me hope that all would turn out well.God is good.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
More About: Personal , Home , Place

Daily with De Sales: 1/14/08
2008-01-14 22:01:00
We must not voluntarily nourish a desire to continue and persevere in venial sin of any kind. It would be an extremely foolish thing to wish deliberately to retain in our heart anything so displeasing to God as a will to offend Him.-- INT. Part I, Ch. 22; O. III, p. 63
More About: Daily , Sales

Moving Day Already?!?!
2008-01-13 08:45:00
First, thank you all for praying for my safe return to school and for a successful semester. I need your prayers more than you probably imagine. And now I need more of them....A letter was waiting for me when I arrived in Steubenville on Friday. It said that I had to be out of my apartment by Feb. 13th. Apparently, while I was at home in KY for Christmas break, I received a recertification packet basically asking me to give them updated information about my financial situation. I was supposed to turn it in on Jan. 4th, but since I wasn't there to receive the packet, I wasn't able to turn it in on time. So, they terminated my lease.It is going to be an immense financial burden on me if I have to find another place to live. This semester already promises to be very stressful and I just don't know if I could handle having to find a new place....and the money to pay for it. So, I'm asking you to pray for two things:that God will warm the hearts of the people involved so that, when t...
More About: Personal , Moving

Daily with De Sales: 1/13/08
2008-01-13 08:17:00
You need patience to do God's will and receive what he has promised," says the apostle. [Heb 10:36] True, for our Savior Himself has declared, "By your patience you will possess your souls." [cf. Lk 21:19] It is our great happiness to possess our own soul, and the more perfect our patience the more completely do we possess our soul.. Therefore, it is very necessary that we perfect ourselves in this virtue.-- INT. Part III, Ch. 3; O. III, p. 133
More About: Daily , Sales

Daily with De Sales: 1/12/08
2008-01-13 05:59:00
There is no clock, no mater how good it may be, that doesn't need resetting and rewinding twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition, at least once a year it must be taken apart to remove the dirt clogging it, straighten out bent parts and repair those worn out. In like manner, every morning and evening a person who really takes care of his heart must rewind it for God's service by means of certain practices of piety. At least once a year he must take it apart and examine every piece in detail; that is, every affection and passion, in order to repair whatever defects there may be.-- INT. Part 5, Ch. 1; O. III, p. 340
More About: Daily , Sales

Back to School
2008-01-11 16:25:00
Sometime before noon today, I plan on driving 7.5 hrs. back to Steubenville to start my final semester of grad school. Praise God! There's so much to do between now and when I graduate that the light at the end of the tunnel is more like a faint glimmer, but at least it's there. Sometimes I can't see the light at all!!Please pray for me that my drive back to school will be safe one and that I will be able to get everything done by the time May rolls around. What a crazy semester this is going to be....Pax Christi,phatcatholicps: I tried to find a pic of Billy Madison waiting for the school bus, but to no avail.
More About: Personal , School , Back , Back to School

Daily with De Sales: 1/11/08
2008-01-11 16:22:00
As soon as you are conscious of being tempted, follow the example of children when they see a wolf or a bear out in the country. They immediately run to the arms of their father or mother, or at least call to them for help and protection. In the same way, turn to God and implore His mercy and help. This is the remedy Our Lord Himself has taught us: "Be on guard and pray that you may not be put to the test." [Mk 14:38]-- INT. IV. Ch. 7; O. III, p. 304
More About: Daily , Sales

Daily with De Sales: 1/10/08
2008-01-10 06:37:00
We recognize genuine goodness as we do genuine balm. If balm sinks and stays at the bottom when dropped into water, it is rated the best and most valuable. So also, in order to know whether a person is truly wise, learned, generous and noble, we must observe whether his abilities tend to humility, modesty and obedience, for in that case they will be truly good. If they float on the surface and seek to show themselves, they are less genuine insofar as they are showy.-- INT. Part III, Ch. 4; O. III, p. 141
More About: Daily , Sales

Clarification on the Poll
2008-01-10 02:31:00
The poll that I now have in my sidebar replaces the post from a while back that I asked you all to comment on. So, if you left a comment on that post, you can still vote and I would very much like you to.Oh, and as always, please don't vote more than once!Pax Christi,phatcatholic
More About: Poll , Clar

Daily with De Sales: 1/9/08
2008-01-09 18:03:00
All that we do must be motivated by love and not force. We must love to obey rather than fear to disobey. I leave you the spirit of liberty; not the liberty that excludes obedience, because this would be a liberty of the flesh, but the true spirit of liberty which includes obedience. When you have to omit your practices of piety for a just and charitable reason, I want you to make use of this occasion as a kind of obedience; then love will compensate for the spiritual exercises you have missed.-- Letters 234; O. XII, p. 359
More About: Daily , Sales

Poll-Release Mon...err, Tuesday!
2008-01-08 23:51:00
Since I didn't get much of a response regarding the daily content for 2008, I have decided to make it the poll for this week. Here is your new poll question:Which daily content would you like to see here in 2008?Keep Daily with de SalesSwitch to "Daily with G. K. Chesterton"Switch to "Daily with Augustine"Switch to "Daily with the Early Church Fathers"Please vote in this because it will effect what you see here on a regular basis this year.As for the previous poll ("What do you like the most about Christmas?"), here are the results:Gathering with family and friends: 9 (35%)Going to Mass: 9 (35%)Egg nog...lots of egg nog: 2 (8%)Putting the baby Jesus statue/figurine in the manger of your nativity set: 2 (8%)Opening presents: 1 (4%)Hearing the Christmas Music: 1 (4%)Don't forget to vote in the poll in the sidebar.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
More About: Poll , Polls , Release , Tuesday

"Phatcat" Featured on Popular Blog
2008-01-08 22:40:00
Dave Armstrong, a popular Catholic apologist of whom I'm sure all of you are familiar, recently turned my opening statement in the Holy Water Debate into a "biblical overview" for his website.In case you don't know, Dave has primers like this on a host of topics. They're great b/c they give short and concise treatments of the biblical witness to Catholic teaching. With these posts, you have all the verses you need in once place, without having to sift through a ton of commentary.Besides the recently added overview on holy water, he also has the following:Biblical Overview: The Blessed Virgin MaryBiblical Overview: The Sacrifice of the MassBiblical Overview on Penance, Purgatory, and IndulgencesThe Communion of Saints: Biblical OverviewThe Biblical Evidence for PriestsThe Biblical Evidence Against ContraceptionThe Biblical Evidence for Papal and Church InfallibilityBiblical Evidence for Original SinBiblical Evidence for the Prohibition of DivorceI'm sure there are many more, but ...
More About: Resources , Blog , Popular , Featured , Pula

Daily with De Sales: 1/8/08
2008-01-08 21:39:00
Consider how uncertain is the day of your death. My soul, one day you will leave this body. When will it be? In winter or in summer? In the city or in the country? By day or at night? Suddenly or after due preparation? From sickness or by accident? Will you have time to make your confession or not? Will you be assisted by your confessor and spiritual director? Unfortunately, you know nothing whatever about all this. Only one thing is certain: we will die -- and sooner than we think.-- INT. Part I, Ch. 13; O. XII, p. 399
More About: Daily , Sales

Daily with De Sales: 1/7/08
2008-01-07 21:36:00
On our journey through life we do not wish to meet any difficulties or contradictions. We want constant consolations, no periods of dryness, no unpleasant times; health without sickness, repose without work, and peace without disturbance! But can't you see our folly when we want to have something we cannot have? Unallayed good is found only in paradise, as in hell is found nothing but evil. The great Chrysostom says: "O man, you who get all upset when things do not always go your way, are you not ashamed when you ponder that what you want was not to be found even in the family of Our Lord? ... Consider, I beg you, the events, the contradictions, and all the things that happened. The angel of the lord said in a dream to Saint Joseph, 'Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.' [Mt. 2:13] This, indeed, was a moment of great sorrow for the Virgin Mary and for good Saint Joseph."--...
More About: Daily , Sales

For the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
2008-01-06 21:42:00
An "epiphany" is a sudden manifestation or revelation of something. So, when we speak of the "Epiphany of the Lord " we speak of the moment when the three wise men first laid their eyes upon the newborn Savior of the world. What a sight it must have been! He was surely a child of indescribable beauty and splendor. Note that, by being born of Mary and of the line of David, he comes to the Jews. In his appearing to the Magi, he comes to the Gentiles. And thus, he comes to the whole world, and for that we give thanks on this day.For more on the Epiphany of the Lord, see the following articles, as well as a hymn that we sung today at Mass:Liturgical Calendar: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the LordNew Advent: EpiphanyMagiBe an Epiphany of Christ, of His Merciful LoveEpiphany Celebrates Church's CatholicityDo Not Be Afraid of Christ and of His MessagePope St. Leo the Great, On the Feast of the Epiphany:Sermon XXXISermon XXXIIISermon XXXIVSermon XXXVIProclaim Christ, Light of All PeoplesLet...
More About: The Lord

Daily with De Sales: 1/6/08
2008-01-06 21:40:00
Let us come close to the crib. If you love riches, you will find the gold that the kings brought; if you are looking for the smoke of honors, you will find that in the incense; and if you take delight in the delicacies of the senses, you will find the delicate perfume of myrrh that pervades the stables. Be rich in love for this adorable Savior, respectful in the familiarity with which you relate to Him, and delight in the joy of experiencing in your soul so may inspirations and affections because you belong exclusively to Him.-- Letters 1033; O. XVI, p. 291
More About: Daily , Sales