Catholic Church

By Aubrey Gulick, American Spectator - There’s a perennial debate that arises at the end of every year when December and the beginning of Advent roll around. It’s one that leaves all of the people who have started humming carols under their breath feeling a little guilty. When is too early to start playing Joy to the World, and is streaming The Manhattan Transfer’s The Christmas Album on Dec. 1 a bit premature? (READ MORE: National Cathedral Slammed for Charging Fees for Christmas Liturgies)

By Michael R. Gonzalez, The Catholic Thing - Perhaps surprisingly, many of the “nones” in my classroom are trying to decide whether it’s religion or technology that’s really the opiate of the masses. They find it refreshing that Augustine challenges them to face the deep longings in their soul rather than feed the delusion that says the life of distraction is a good life.

By Matthew McDonald, EWTN News - Bishop Joseph Strickland has been advised to leave his former Diocese of Tyler, Texas, but has not been told he can’t say Mass publicly there, he told the Register... “I have received no such instruction,” Bishop Strickland said by text Thursday night, responding to a report that he has been barred from saying Mass in the diocese... Bishop Strickland, who is on retreat, referred further questions to Bishop Vasquez, saying, “He’s the one in charge.”

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - The Origin of the Tradition... A beloved annual tradition at the Basilica in preparation for Christmas, the Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by St. John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the children of Rome are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines.