Catholic Church

Msgr. Charles Pope - As the end of Advent approaches, the Office of Readings features some final admonitions from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. On the one hand they console; on the other, they challenge us to remain firm... Isaiah addressed a people in exile who still awaited the first coming of the Lord. Today, these texts speak to us in difficult times when, exiled from Heaven, we await His magnificent Second Coming.

By Philip Kosloski, Aleteia - One of the most well-known devotions to the Child Jesus is represented by the miraculous statue of the Infant of Prague. It is a statue that has a fascinating history, and the devotion it inspired has been the source of countless miracles over the centuries... In particular, it is recorded that on multiple occasions devotion to the Infant Jesus protected the city of Prague from an epidemic.

By Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register - This year’s Vatican Nativity scene has drawn fierce criticism for its post-modern artistic look, which critics say radically breaks with traditional Nativity scenes and fails to evangelize or inspire others about the mystery of the Incarnation... The Christmas presepio in St. Peter’s Square contains 20 modernistic ceramic objects ....

By R.J. Snell, The Catholic Thing - A friend and I enjoy good-natured debates about the Church. He’s a serious Protestant but knows and admires Catholicism. I was a Protestant for most of my life, so we have shared experiences and commitments that allow for good disagreement... We were recently discussing how some Protestants view the Catholic Church (and Catholics) as somewhat out of control, while still fascinated by the Church.