The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism

It is now officially spring in more ways than one. While many are concentrating on the new life visibly sprouting out of the ground, few are paying attention to the springtime of evangelization in the Catholic Church. In his final years, Pope John Paul II told us this was beginning to occur. With his 27 year reign, and now with the steady leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, the Church is in good hands. However, to note their wise leadership only touches the surface of the many great events and movements happening in the Catholic Church. A more orthodox and vibrant clergy continues to emerge, especially among the newly ordained. Vocations are up during the past few years, dramatically so in some areas. In addition to vocations, there is an increase in the laity defending the Church along with an increase in ancient traditions of the Church, whether it is Eucharistic Adoration or Marian devotions. Early last year I wanted to tell this story of new hope in the Church... but how?

Ask and you shall receive. On December 11, 2005, while in Adoration at my parish, I prayed for inspiration as to how I could help spread the good news that I saw happening in the Catholic Church through my newly created website, Catholicreport.org. While leaving the chapel, the words "the tide is turning" bounced through my head. I went home and in 45 minutes wrote a small article about good news occurring in the Church. I showed my wife, who enjoyed it. I posted it on my website early in the morning of December 12, 2005. The results were amazing.

Amy Welborn linked to the story as did Mark Shea and a host of other Catholic bloggers. From there the story was picked up by Joseph Bottum of First Things (firstthings.com) and subsequently was picked up by sports sites such as Notre Dame Nation (ndnation.com) as well as sites that were not so friendly, such as a couple of atheists forums, that ridiculed my thesis. What could have caused a small article written by an unknown writer on a new Catholic blog to be picked up by websites and blogs that are so diverse in nature? Perhaps it was motivated by hope, in the case of the orthodox Catholics, or fear, from those who detest religion. Whatever the reason, it spread around the blogosphere. The next month I spoke with Amy Welborn and her husband Michael Dubruiel at my parish. With their encouragement and that of many others, I was prompted to write a book on the relatively-unreported good news happening in the Catholic Church.

The book was released in December of 2006. The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism chronicled that good news: an increase in vocations, youth embracing a more orthodox approach, the laity defending the Church (as evidenced by an explosion of lay ministries and apostolates), and the growing trend of Eucharistic and Marian devotions. Another surprise was the number of noted Catholics who read the manuscript and signed on to give an endorsement or blurb for the book. Bishop Robert Kurtz CR of Bermuda, noted sports celebrities like Dick Vitale and Gerry Faust, along with entrepreneur Tom Monaghan, and writer Tim Drake put their names behind the book.

In addition to good news, the book has some basic apologetics concerning Catholic teachings as well as topical issues recently in the news. Historical events like the Crusades, where Catholics are often viewed as the aggressors, are discussed as well. I also examine the decline in liberal churches and who is coming to the faith, as well as the phenomena of the mega churches.

Readers of the The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism are often astonished to find that vocations are up across the country, dramatically so in dioceses where orthodox leadership prevails. In some areas of the world, for example Africa, seminaries and convents are full and candidates have to be sent to the US or Europe where there are open spots. Some readers are surprised to learn of the number of celebrities, especially athletes and coaches, who give much of their time to the Church for various causes or speak about their faith nationally once they retire.

Often I am challenged with, "How can the tide be turning if so many have left the Church and scandals are still fresh in the mind of the general public?" The answer is quite simple: the seeds of rebellion were planted 30-40 years ago while the seeds of faithfulness to the Church were planted in more recent times. The pontificates of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have witnessed great crowds coming to St Peter's. Many skeptics were fond of saying that people only came to the general audiences of Pope John Paul II because of the historic nature of his pontificate or because they were embracing a cult of personality. Yet, in the second year of his pontificate, crowds coming to see Pope Benedict XVI's Wednesday audiences and his other appearances are as large as or even larger than the crowds who came to see Pope John Paul II. The fortunes of the Church are changing for the better. Though we may still be under the chill of early spring, the wise know that soon the sun will have more hours to shine, the days will be longer, and better times are ahead. Indeed the tide is turning.

For the more intrepid amongst you, EWTN is covering the Mass of Ordination, live from the Vatican.

HOLY MASS WITH
PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS (LIVE)" 2:00
Pope Benedict XVI presides over the priestly ordination of the deacons of the Diocese of Rome.
April 29 3:00 AM
April 29 12:00 PM ENCORE

Often I am challenged with, “How can the tide be turning if so many have left the Church and scandals are still fresh in the mind of the general public?”

Those scandals are only fresh in the minds of those who listen unquestioningly to the lamestream media. Those individuals are becoming fewer by the day. Take a look at newspaper circulation statistics if you want something to cheer you up.

Often I am challenged with, “How can the tide be turning if so many have left the Church and scandals are still fresh in the mind of the general public?”

The Holy Spirit is alive and well and cleaning up the Catholic Church. In the process, others are being drawn into the Church where they find the roots of the Christian faith.

One of the Maronite Catholic prayers from the Divine Office reads:

Blessed are you, O Church, garden of the Beloved.
From a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, you have grown,
Your roots are in firm soil, sheltered from the winds;
In your branches are the martyrs, they are a display of blood shed for the faith.
The birds quench their thirst at this marvel.
Psalms and prophecies fill your vast space.
You are the land of the Spirit, the meeting place of the nations.
Blessed are you, dwelling place of the guest, neighbor of the One who is near.

These ancient prayers attest to the timelessness of the Catholic Church and her mission to carry out the command of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel to all nations.

For the record:

Catholic Parishes Flourish in Southern U.S.
Bible-belt Catholics
Number of Catholics Rises by 15 Million (Diocesan Priests Increase; Religious Decrease)
Spanish Catholicism still very robust (3 shrines and The Sagrada Familia)
Catholics outsource praying to India

Catholic Priests in India 'Outsourced' to Meet Clergy Shortage in West
Christian Coalition head (in Ala.) becomes Catholic
Church growth continues for Catholic and Pentecostals; six mainline denominations decline
Young people turn against their parents' 'church lite'
Pope calls US Church to repentance and renewal

A father for the 11th time - Widower becomes Catholic priest
Number of Adults Who Don't Attend Church Service Doubles
Huge Christian growth shocks China's leaders
Church Attendance Increased : Protestants have now clearly overtaken Catholics in church attendance
Catholics Trail Protestants in Church Attendance [Gallup]

Church Attendance Linked to Longer Life
Church Growth and Eveangelism
Dozens of Episcopalians Follow Leader into Catholic Church
Thousands prepare to join U.S. Catholic Church this Easter
Where Have All the People in the Pews Gone?

More Than 150,000 People to Join Catholic Church Holy Saturday
Spirituality on the rise on college campuses
Analysis: Rome up, Protestantism down?
Benedict's Logic: A Church Contracting & Expanding Simultaneously
CHRISTIANITY EXPLODING WORLDWIDE; 3RD WORLD SENDING MISSIONARIES [V ENCOURAGING DOC]
Christianity taking over the planet?

Local pews straining to hold increasing Catholic population
Catholic Church is losing sway in Europe (Opinion from Ireland)
Has the Catholic Church given up the Ghost?
Statistics Reveal Africa Is (Catholic) Church's New Hope
Chicago Ordains Largest Class of Priests in a Decade

Reviving a dream: Big hopes of little congregation growing for Orthodox church
Ancient rhythm: Converts to Orthodoxy growing in America
Catholic Church Prepares for Cold War With Evangelists
IS THE CHURCH LIKELY TO SHRINK--AND SHOULD IT?
Church Attendance in Germany Experiences Huge Growth after Pope Benedict Elected

Foreign priests want to fill a need- if Americans let them
A Church That Packs Them In, 16,000 at a Time
(Catholic) Church Growing Everywhere Except Eurpoe
Scranton former Anglicans to be received as a body into the Catholic Church
A Letter from a Former Episcopalian

Catholic Sanctuaries Expand as Available Priests Decrease (Catholic MegaChurches Alert!)
In Brazil, Signs of Reconversions - Bishop Says Evangelicals Are Returning to Church
Where Have All the Protestants Gone?
Thousands take final steps toward joining church
Spirituality May Be Hot in America, But 76 Million Adults Never Attend Church

Mongolia's Catholics: 300 and Growing (Christianity introduced in 1992)
Protestant Churches Disappearing; More Catholics Than Total of All 19 Prot. Denominations Listed
Megachurch Attendance in America
Hong Kong diocese to baptize 2,400 catechumens
Catholic, Mormon, and Pentecostal Churches Fastest Growing

This Year's Intake (the newest members of the Tiber Swim Team)
Thousands to Join Catholic Church Holy Saturday
This Catholic church is born again (Evangelical approach helps attendance soar)
400 local (Palm Beach) Catholic converts enter new faith
Baptism of adults increasing steadily in France

The number of young parishioners growing in the Russian Church
There Is a Catholic Oasis in Dubai. And Another Has Sprung Up in Venice
Six million African Muslims leave Islam per year
The numbers game: Stats give picture of Pope John Paul's pontificate
Study Sees Church Rebounding From Scandal

Another One Takes the Plunge [swims the Tiber]
A faith in flux (the Catholic Church)
Mapping religion in America
Good news from Iraq: retired Iraqi general says record number of Muslims turning to Christ
Presb. Church USA launches ambitious plan to lose only 5% of members

U.S. Catholic population up (nears 70 million), most other church data down
Once-great churches are falling apart
Churchmen on brink of exodus over women bishops
Inside Iran: A Rising Chorus [Young Iranians leave Islam for Christianity]
From pulpit to monastery (Presbyterian (female) pastor becomes Catholic)

The worst of times: Evangelicalism in critical condition
Six theologians cross the Tiber
The Conversion Story of Patty Patrick Bonds [Protestant TULIPers Converts to Catholicism]
Catholic Diocese of Orlando lays out major growth plan (proposes 15 more parishes, 5 new schools)
YOUNG, RESTLESS, REFORMED: Calvinism is making a comeback - and shaking up the church

Ex-Lutheran bishop found Catholic rock: Joseph Jacobson to be ordained Catholic priest by Christmas
Poll: Pentecostals widening influence
Romeward Bound: Evaluating Why Protestants Convert to Catholicism
Two conclusions about Catholicism in the south
Study Says Hispanics Alter U.S. Catholicism

The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism

Notice that she links this turning of the tide to more orthodox and traditional practices. Perhaps there will be a revival, but it will not be due to an increase in religiosity or to a reversion to more of the mindless ritual of the past and tradition for its own sake.

NYer: Glad to see you back posting! Prayers for you and the Church.

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