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Poll-Release Monday #53
2008-06-09 21:56:00
Continuing with the section on the Anointing of the Sick from the USCCB's quiz on the Catechism, here is this week's poll question:True or false?: In time of imminent danger of death when no priest is present, any believer may give the Anointing of the Sick.What do you think? Vote in the poll in the sidebar.Here are the results from the previous poll: True or False?: The sacrament of Extreme Unction, or Anointing of the Sick, may be given more than once during the same illness. True: 40 (83%)False: 8 (17%)Well done! The answer is: True. cf. CCC, no. 1529: Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens.In response to this poll, Stephen left the following comment: What sort of illness qualify? Only those that may lead to death? We know that "the proper time ... has certainly arrived" by that time, but what about before? What about early stages of cancer? Schizophrenia? Depression? I'v...
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Scripture and the Pope: Part 5
2008-06-05 20:13:00
Here is Part 5 in my debate with Amy on papal infallibility as it is found in Scripture . Also see Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -I apologize ahead of time that most my comments are not backed with Scripture at this point. I have made most of those already in previous posts. While I put little stock in my own opinions as compared to the authority of Scripture, I am responding to the best of my ability from a biblical worldview rather than by book, chapter and verse. I have prayed extensively about this, as I consider truth claims no light matter that can be made without great accountability. (To whom much has been given, much is required.)I do think that the lack of Scriptural support is a deficiency in your argumentation. I mean no offense in this at all, but many of your arguments seem to come from your own ideas of what you would like a verse to mean instead of what the context, the original languages, other Scripture passages, and biblical schola...
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I Know, It's Been a While....
2008-06-03 18:10:00
What can I say, I've been busy! My Comprehensive Exam is on June 14th, which I need to pass in order to finally graduate, so I've been preparing for that. I was also in Michigan over the weekend for the baptism of my goddaughter. I'm not really sure how often I'll be able to post between now and the exam date, but I'll try my best.I really need to spend every amount of free time preparing for Comps. This thing is a beast: There is an essay question for each of the 14 classes I have taken. The director of the MA Theology program chose 9 of the 14 for me to answer. My answer has to fill at least one blue book. On the day of the exam, I will have to answer 4 of the 9 questions, but I don't know which 4 it will be.I know the questions ahead of time, so it's really just a matter of answering the questions and then memorizing my answers. Sounds easy, but it's not....at least, it's not for me. The questions themselves are difficult to answer, even with all of my notes, and I am ha...
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Poll-Release Monday #52
2008-05-26 20:08:00
Here is this week's new poll question:True or False?: The sacrament of Extreme Unction, or Anointing of the Sick, may be given more than once during the same illness.I'm finished with the "Prayer" section of the USCCB's quiz on the Catechism, and so now it's time to get into the Sacraments. Anointing of the Sick is probably the sacrament that people know the least about, so it will be interesting to see what the results are for this poll. To vote, see the poll in my sidebar.For information on the Anointing of the Sick, see the Catholic Defense Directory: Anointing of the Sick.That said, here are the results from last week's poll: True or False?: Prayer is a battle against ourselves. True: 10 (59%)False: 7 (41%)The correct answer is: True. cf. CCC, para. 2725: Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, a...
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Boom De Yadah!!
2008-05-22 21:32:00
This commercial is "wicked" cool (in the words of my fiancée):It has all of my favorite shows in it! What a great commercial :D The addition of Stephen Hawking is a nice touch too. I know, I watch too much tv....Pax Christi,phatcatholic
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Exploring Catholicism: Part 2
2008-05-22 19:22:00
[also see Part 1]I have read some catholic apologetics on this stuff and they always show new scriptures, but I would like to understand how Romans 10 I think it is where it says ? If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.? Or the verse John wrote how he ?wrote all these things that you might know you have eternal life.? Or other verses like it fit into the Catholic idea of salvation. Also any others you can think of, those were the ones off the top of my head.First, we have to keep in mind that we are discussing "Once Saved, Always Saved," not sola fide ("faith alone" saves). Now, you cited Rom 10:9 and 1 Jn 5:13. "Fluffy" added Rom 8:1 and Eph 2:8-9 in her comment on Part 1. Time does not permit for me to respond to every passage that Protestants use to support OSAS, but I can respond to these. I have links to articles that should adequately address the rest.First, chapter 8 of Paul's letter to the Roma...
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Exploring Catholicism: Part 1
2008-05-20 19:38:00
I have recently began a conversation, via email, with someone who is considering a return to the faith of his youth, after being away from Catholicism since high school. He has allowed me to post our conversation on my blog, with the hope that others may be able to benefit from it as well. Here is our first exchange.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -What is the plan of salvation according to the Catholic church? again I get mixed up what I have heard from the Catholic church and from anti-Catholics, Is there assurance of salvation? I have heard that there is not, yet I was at a Catholic funeral recently and they were very strongly pronouncing that the deceiced was with God. If there is what is it based on?Well, Catholics believe that salvation is a process of sanctification that culminates in eternal life with God after death. We are not ultimately "saved" until we die in union with Christ. This means that there is no "assurance of salvation" or "once-saved-always-saved" un...
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Poll-Release Monday #51
2008-05-19 20:38:00
Here is this week's poll question:True or False?: Prayer is a battle against ourselves.Interesting statement here. What do you think? Vote in the poll in the sidebar.As for last week's poll, here are the results: True or False?: The parish is the first place for education in prayer. True: 1 (4%)False: 22 (96%)You all nailed this one. The answer, of course is: True. cf. CCC 2685 The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer. Based on the sacrament of marriage, the family is the "domestic church" where God's children learn to pray "as the Church" and to persevere in prayer. For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church's living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.I first learned my prayers in the home. My dad taught me the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Glory Be, the "Angel of God" prayer, and the Children's Evening Prayer ("Now I lay me down to sleep...."). However, I learned the Act of Contrition in gradesc...
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Q&A Potpourri
2008-05-18 05:59:00
I recently answered the following questions over at WikiAnswers. If you are knowledgeable in the faith, I suggest joining WikiAnswers and answering some questions yourself. It's a great way to witness to our Catholic faith. Now, on to the Q&A:What is compline?The Modern Catholic Dictionary, defines compline as: "the concluding hour of the Divine Office. Its origins in the West are commonly ascribed to St. Benedict (480-547). At first it was recited after the evening meal or before retiring. It now follows Vespers. As Night Prayer, it consists of a hymn, one or two psalms, a short reading from Scripture, a versicle and response, the Nunc Dimittis of Simeon, and a concluding prayer. (Etym. Latin completorium, complement)"When did the Holy Spirit originate?The Holy Spirit is God. This means that He has no beginning or end. Thus, there is no point in time in which we can say that the Holy Spirit first came to be and there is no point in time in which we can say that the Holy Spirit did...
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Crosswalking Catholicism
2008-05-16 18:47:00
You all may be familiar with a Protestant website called Crosswalk. Many people, including myself, use their "Bible Study Tools" for Scripture study because they include various translations of Scripture, along with a wide variety of commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedias, lexicons, and other reference works. It really is an amazingly helful website.At any rate, I noticed today an article on their homepage entitled, "Why Do Catholics Have a Pope?", by Sarah Jennings (Crosswalk.com Family Editor). Of course, that sparked my interest, so I gave it a read. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was THE most accurate explanation of the papacy by a Protestant that I had ever read! What a relief!!Honestly, I expected the usual misunderstandings: Catholics worship the pope, the pope thinks he is Jesus on earth, the pope replaces Jesus as head of the Church, everything the pope says is inspired by the Holy Spirit, the pope can do no wrong, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. T...
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Scripture and the Pope: Part 4
2008-05-15 19:48:00
Here is Part 4 in my debate with Amy on papal infallibility as it is found in Scripture . Also see Parts 1, 2, and 3.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -Somewhere between ?Pope ? and utter nonsense, is my view of name changes in the Bible. Jesus does not deliver the name change at this point, only makes reference to it. As if he said, ?Peter, just like your name means Rock, upon the Rock of what you just said (You are the Son of God) I will build my kingdom.? Kind of like, ?Amy (cute girl in the profile pic), Just like your name means beloved, so this smart, Phatcatholic guy loves you.?I disagree with you here and I think I can prove why, but I also don't think it's necessary. We may be going on a tangent in debating what or who "this rock" is. My understanding is that the identity of the rock confirms Peter's primacy among the apostles and the unique leadership position that Jesus gave to Peter. But, we're not debating that. Instead, we are debating whether or not Peter (a...
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Justification in the Eyes of God
2008-05-15 19:42:00
Ianny01 recently posted the following question at Phatmass: I've been having a back-and-forth email discussion with some Protestant friends of mine and one of them asserts a strange thing about Chapter 2 of the Letter of Saint James. He asserts that the justification that Saint James is talking about is not before God but before men, that this justification does not increase our righteousness before God. Basically that this justification is to show that people have genuine faith to other people. How should I respond to this?Your opponent must believe that the justification in question is before men b/c that is the only way to reconcile James with what he believes about faith and salvation. But, I assert that James most definitely has God's perspective in mind. I will use ch. 2 itself, along with ch. 1 and 3 to prove my point. Let's start with Jas 1.In the first chapter, we read: "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of lif...
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Oops, My Bad
2008-05-13 17:25:00
I noticed today that I forgot to actually put the new poll in the sidebar, so that is fixed now. I hope I didn't confuse anyone too much, haha.Pax Christi,phatcatholic

Poll-Release Monday #50
2008-05-12 20:57:00
Here is this week's new poll question:True or false?: The parish is the first place for education in prayer.If you've never done this before, the poll is in my sidebar. Also, after you vote, click the "Comments" link at the bottom of the poll and explain your answer. If the parish isn't the first place for education in prayer, what is?That said, here are the results from last week's poll: True or False?: Prayer is directed primarily at Jesus. True: 8 (32%)False: 17 (68%)The correct answer, according to the USCCB's quiz on the Catechism, is: False; cf. Para. 2680: Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father; it can also be directed toward Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his holy name: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."This one is sort of a trick question, because of the primacy that Christians tend to give to one's relationship with Jesus. But, while all three Persons of the Trinity are equally God, the Father does hold the place of primacy, and...
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Catechetical Liturgy and Liturgical Catechesis
2008-05-09 03:17:00
Below is a short, 6-pg paper I wrote for my Methods of Catechesis II class on the relationship between catechesis and the liturgy. If we are going to foster active participation in the liturgy, which is a goal outlined for us by Sacrosanctum Concilium, then we must incorporate liturgical elements into our catechesis and help our audience to learn more from the liturgy. I hope you find this paper to be a helpful and informative treatment of that task.Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -Catechesis and the Liturgy?Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of human beings.?? Pope John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, no. 23.Catechesis is a demanding enterprise, and for good reason. Since souls are at stake, the Church must demand a great deal from those who set out to catechize Her members. Such catechists must be well-...
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Poll-Release Monday #49
2008-05-06 02:20:00
Continuing with the USCCB's Quiz on the Catechism, here is this week's poll question:True or False? Prayer is directed primarily at JesusOnce you vote, don't forget to click the "Comments" link at the bottom of the poll and explain your vote. If True, why? If False, why?As for the previous poll, here are the results: True or False? It is appropriate for man to bless God True: 45 (78%)False: 13 (22%)Ashamedly, I got this one wrong. Here is the correct answer: True. See CCC, no. 2626-2627:2626: Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God's gift and man's acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer of blessing is man's response to God's gifts: because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing.2627 Two fundamental forms express this movement: our prayer ascends in the Holy Spirit through Christ to the Father - we bless him for having b...
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Scripture and the Pope: Part 3
2008-05-04 15:00:00
Here is Part 3 in my debate with Amy on the authority and infallibility of Peter (and his successors) as it is found in Scripture . Also see Parts 1 and 2.Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -Though my digestion of your post is incomplete, and I have no hope of addressing everything you have written, I will do my best to reply. My reply is very incomplete. Thank you, in advance, for putting up with the length of this.The length doesn't bother me at all. I try to be as concise as possible, but sometimes you just have to write a lot in order to defend a position, and I'm okay with that.Some of your post matches up with what I have learned my entire life in studying the Bible.Some things you have written, I hold as truth, the first of them being that,?All things pale in comparison to Jesus.?Second, I also agree with your view that people?s names hold great importance.Good to know.Thirdly, your point on keys and authority pointing back to the Davidic kingdom ("Among these was a ...
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Scripture and the Pope: Part 2
2008-05-02 05:59:00
Here is Part 2 in my debate with Amy on the authority of the pope and the Scriptural witness to this authority. Also see Part 1.Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -Thank you for engaging me in this discussion. I know you are busy. I have been praying for you and the cute girl in your profile pic.Thank you!! That means a great deal to me. We certainly need your prayers. You'll be happy to know that my fiancee's name is Amy too!...to the fact that we are both Switchfoot fans, there can be no debate on this.Great!Again we have a point where no contention can be made: The Bible is authoritative because it has been inspired by God (God-breathed). (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)Good to know.Now I have a question: 1)How do you know for sure: "his words are protected from error by a charism of the Holy Spirit given to the Successor of St. Peter."Can you direct me to scripture that supports this?Well, as I'm sure you know, the foundational passage is Mt 16:13-20, where we find a truly amazing c...
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Quick FYI
2008-05-01 19:23:00
I updated the previous post to include links to three articles that Kevin recommends if you want to read more about this topic of Mary as the "quickest" or "easiest" way to Jesus. They may be of additional help, if Kevin's own words did not suffice. I'll let you all know if and when Dr. Miravalle responds. Kevin's wife just recently brought their new baby girl into the world, so things are pretty hectic with him right now.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
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Mary: The Quickest Way to Jesus?
2008-05-01 00:02:00
You may recall from this post that I recently emailed Dr. Mark Miravalle regarding seraphim's question about Mary being the "quickest" or "easiest" way to Jesus . Well, I'm still waiting for a response from him, but I did receive a response from one of his assistants. Here is what he wrote to me: Thanks for writing. I'll ask Mark about that ladder rosary. I've never heard about that. I know what you mean about feeling awkward. I struggled with this for some time. However, this is the teaching of many of the saints, including St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and others.The reason the road "directly" to Jesus is more difficult is because it is, in reality, indirect. This indirect path to the Lord, which ultimately leads to him, involves inner resistance to his Mother, a disposition contrary to the Gospels, particularly John 19:25-27. Choosing this ladder rather than the other one causes a soul to "choose between." This is not the reality of heaven. Choosing the ladder t...
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Scripture and the Pope: Part 1
2008-04-30 19:19:00
What follows is Part 1 in what I think will be a very fruitful dialogue with Amy, who owns a blog called "The Way I Say." I happened upon her blog because I was looking for a poem about redemption for a presentation on that topic and she just happened to have exactly what I needed. Since then she has made some very helpful comments on my blog and I look forward to our dialogue together.That said, here is her first post to me:First of all, do you like switchfoot, because that is a most important matter to clear up?Do you give as much authority to the Pope 's words as you do to scripture?I definitely like Switchfoot! I hope that's ok :DAs for your second question, I don't want to give a simple "Yes" or "No" answer because I'm afraid it might imply things I don't intend. I will say that, when the pope speaks as the Successor of St. Peter, in his role of feeding and tending God's people, on a matter of faith and morals that is to be binding on the whole Church, then his words requi...
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Did the Catholic Church Kill Jesus?
2008-04-25 22:23:00
Yea, you read that right. I recently received a request to respond to the following argument:"Correct me if I am wrong: was it not a Roman Emperor that sentenced Christ to death on Calvary? Now for the serious question: if I am correct, which I may not be, but if I am, then would that not make the Emperor an Italian? Now, why are they making such a positive thing about the head of the church, which is an offshoot of the old Roman Empire, with headquarters in Rome, being here celebrating the death of the Lord? I know that the Lord rose from the dead and is alive according to gospel, but all the same they are the ones who sentenced him to death, and now they make themselves out the lord of lords. Just seems strange to me that they can celebrate the Pope this way and still preach the very word that the man they sentenced to death preached. Did you ever think of it? Would shed a whole new light on the religion, wouldn't it?"There's a lot going on in this argument, so let's take it on...
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Time to Play Catch-Up
2008-04-25 19:39:00
Now that my two big presentations are successfully completed (praise God!), it's time to dust off some old mail and finally give you all some answers.First, seraphim, regarding your question about the Ladder Rosary, the deeper question seems to be whether or not it is true that Mary is the easiest way to Jesus. I don't really know if I can do your question justice. I could probably spew some thoughts out, but I just don't think it would be very helpful.So, I emailed Dr. Mark Miravalle, a professor at FUS and one of the premier Marian theologians in the country to get this thoughts on the matter. Until then, here is the information that is of concern to "seraphim" (and to me). Do you all have any thoughts on this? According to popular belief, in Old Mexico the Ladder Rosary has an interesting history. Some trace the first ladder rosary to the vision of St. Dominic in which he saw souls climbing to heaven on the rosary. Others point to the vision of St. Francis De Sales who saw two...
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Popular Catholic Quotations
2008-04-22 04:04:00
Augustine Day by DayC. S. Lewis Quotations [not Catholic , but close!]Catholic Maxims and QuotationsCatholic Outpost: Quote DatabaseCatholic QuotationsCatholic Tradition Day by DayChesterton Day by DayDaily Catholic QuotationsDaily with De SalesDefend the Faith: Catholic QuotesGolden Counsels of St. Francis de SalesGreatest Catholic Quotes of All Time (Almost!)Hilaire Belloc QuotationsMalcolm Muggeridge QuotesMother Teresa QuotesNotable Quotations from Catholic Social TeachingPapist Quote of the DayPope QuotesPopular Catholic QuotationsPopular Quotations from Blessed Pier Giorgio FrassatiPure Love Club: Quotes from the SaintsQuotations from TertullianQuotations of G. K. ChestertonQuotations on Catholic EducationQuotes on the Most Blessed SacramentSaint Quote of the DaySaint QuotesSelected Chesterton UtterancesShort Quotes of Cardinal SchönbornSundry Schall QuotationsThomas Howard QuotesThomasHurley.com: QuotebookThoughts of St. Francis de SalesVenerable John Henry Cardinal Newman Quo...
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Church Documents Relevant to the Field of Catechetics and Religious Educati
2008-04-22 03:34:00
Adult Catechesis in the Christian CommunityCalled and Gifted for the Third MillenniumCatechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time)Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum Design and Publication [a pdf. file]Catechism of the Catholic Church : Second Edition [for more catechisms, see the "Catholic Catechisms" button]Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the ParishConformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series [a pdf. file]Credo of the People of GodDoctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age [a pdf. file]Educating Together in Catholic Schools: A Shared Mission Between Consecrated Persons and the Lay FaithfulEducational Guidance in Human Love: Outlines for Sex EducationEmpowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the FutureEvangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World)General Directory for Catechesis"Go and Make Disciples": A Nat...
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Quick Update
2008-04-22 03:07:00
First of all, I'm going to let the current poll run for another week so more people will have an opportunity to vote. Also, I know I haven't been posting very much here recently, but I plan on changing that as soon as I can get through Thursday. My Exit Presentation is tomorrow, which basically determines whether or not I receive my Certification in Catechetics. Then, on Thursday, I have to give my 60-minute catechesis using the Ecclesial Method. Please pray for me.If you've asked me a question or sent me an email within the past few weeks (or, in the case of seraphim, within the past few months), please know that I am sorry for not being able to help you sooner and that I haven't forgotten about you. Once Friday rolls around, I'll be able to pay more attention to my blog.Thank you for your patience.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
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Poll-Release Monday #48
2008-04-15 01:12:00
After another long haitus (what can I say, school is inhumane right now), here is this week's new poll question:True or false?: It is appropriate for man to "bless" God.Admittedly, I didn't know the answer to this question, so it will be interesting to see how people vote. See the poll in my sidebar.As for the previous poll, here are the results: True or false? It is better that the universe be destroyed than that one sin be committed. False: 32 (56%)True: 25 (44%)According to the USCCB's Quiz on the Catechism, the answer is: True. It cites, as validation for this answer, Article 1488 from the Catechism: 1488 To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world.Christina left a good comment regarding this question: If it were true then God would have destroyed the Universe shortly after creating it, or not created Adam & Eve, or destroyed it shortly thereafter. Also, if it were true ...
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On Baptism by Immersion
2008-04-11 04:34:00
I recently received the following question via the combox in my sidebar:Baptism by immersion only: I went to catholic.com but I need some more stuff on this. I just got back from getting my rump handed to me on this one. Can ya help?Well, without knowing what their exact arguments are, I can't really say a whole lot. But, I can point you to various articles online that address this issue:Baptism: Immersion Only?Catholic Baptism and ImmersionDoes Col 2:15 Disprove Baptism by Sprinkling or Pouring?Is Baptism by Immersion Only?On the Legitimacy of Baptism by Sprinkling or PouringWere All Biblical Baptisms by Immersion?A lot of those links were broken, so I had to look up the archived version. They should work now, but if for some reason they don't, just leave a comment and let me know.Remember that immersion is a legitimate form of baptism in the Catholic Church, and it is actually the form that best symbolizes the dying to sin and rising to new life that truly takes place in baptism...
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D.D.D. is M.I.A.
2008-04-11 03:29:00
In case anyone is wondering, I have decided to postpone the "Daily Dose of Discernment" for the time being. School is so hectic right now that I simply cannot keep up with it anymore. This is my last semester of grad school, and it is crunch time like you would not believe.Check out my to-do list:finish a catechetics project that is already lateApr. 14: 60-min catechesis using the full Ecclesial MethodApr. 15: A catechetical project on a topic of my choosingApr. 22: Exit PresentationMay 2: 5-lesson plansMay 5: 5-pg. paper on catechesisJun 16: Comprehensive ExamPretty sick.Please, please, PLEASE pray for me that I can overcome the intense anxiety that I feel right now and complete all of these assignments.If you end up craving your daily dose of discernment, have no fear, both sections for each day are online:Chesterton Day-by-DayTradition Day-by-DaySt. Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of students .... pray for us.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
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Taming the Tongue
2008-04-09 02:17:00
I recently received the following question, via email:What is the Catholic teaching on cursing? It seems today that it is almost the vernacular for college students. Is it ever appropriate to cuss?I scoured the Catechism and was unable to find anything specifically about "cussing" or using foul language. But, there are a few articles that are related, and these might be helpful.As Christians, we must comform our words to the mind of Christ and follow His example (no. 1694). God's presence and His truth must be honored in all speech (no. 2153). He is "the Lord of all speech" (no. 2152), and human speech is either in accord with or in opposition to God who is Truth itself (no. 2151). Living in accordance with Truth includes displaying an uprightness and sincerity in speech (no. 2468). The purpose of speech is to communicate truth (no. 2485).Abusive language is forbidden by the fifth commandment (no. 2073), and anyone who is angry with his brother is liable to judgment (no. 2302-2303)...
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