Free Republic

Do Catholics Really Worship the Virgin Mary?Editor’s Note: It is my pleasure to reintroduce my great-grandfather Hugo Klapproth and his “new” book, Letters to a Protestant Friend (Available Here). Full disclosure: The book is new only to English-speaking readers living 130 years after it was published in the original German here in St. Paul, Minnesota. Apart from being a thoughtful historical sketch, this little book also makes a considerable contribution to Catholic apologetics. As a convert from Lutheranism and a professional newspaper editor, Hugo Klapproth’s apologetical arguments to his Lutheran friend are some of the most effective I have ever...

July 16 2020 Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have...

June 20 2020 Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reading 1 2 Chr 24:17-25 After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to King Joash, and the king then listened to them. They forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings. Then the Spirit...

This is the sacred, peaceful place in the United States where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared. It is a humble, quiet place of refuge, noble in simplicity, located at the core of a tri-county region in the heart of agricultural country in Northeast Wisconsin.

June 1, 2020 Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20 After Adam had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to him and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me— she gave me fruit from the...

May 13 2020 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter Reading 1 Acts 15:1-6 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and...

Prayer to the Mother of the Lord for all mothers Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your...

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Msgr. Charles Pope Mulier Fortis – A Homily for the Feast of the Annunciation In preparation for the Feast of the Annunciation I picked up Jesus of Nazareth, Vol. 3 (The Infancy Narratives), by Pope Emeritus Benedict. I was very moved by a brief reflection that he made on Mary as the Angel Gabriel left her. His remarks consider her faith in a very touching manner.I must say that I have always been moved—and intrigued—by the faith of the Blessed Mother. She is mulier fortis (a strong woman) and “a woman wrapped in...

Posted on December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 by Msgr. Charles Pope The Many Meanings of January 1st – A Homily This feast day of January 1st is a very complex tapestry, both culturally and liturgically. Perhaps we can use the second reading by St. Paul to the Galatians as a way to weave through some of the many details. We can look at it in three parts.I. The chronology of our celebration – The text from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians says, When the fullness of time had come …Most people in the wider culture and in the...

January 1 2020 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Reading 1 NM 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them." Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (2a) May God bless us...

December 12 2019 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Reading 1 Zec 2:14-17 Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,and they shall be his people,and he will dwell among you,and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,and he will again choose Jerusalem.Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling. Or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10abGod's...

December 9 2019 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20 After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”He answered, “I heard you in the garden;but I was afraid, because I was naked,so I hid myself.”Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?You have eaten, then,from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”The...

November 21 2019 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reading 1 1 Mc 2:15-29 The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasycame to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.Many of Israel joined them,but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:"You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,supported by sons and kin.Come now, be the first to obey the king's command,as all the Gentiles and the men of Judahand those who are left in Jerusalem have done.Then you and...

Posted on October 29, 2019October 30, 2019 by Msgr. Charles Pope Solemn Pontifical Mass in Washington D.C. Seeks to Unify Catholics I am pleased to announce that a Solemn Pontifical High Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 10:00 AM at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Further details appear at the bottom of the post, but first allow me to provide some background.There is great diversity in the Catholic world. I am sometimes amazed when I look out at my...

October 7 2019 Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary Reading 1 Jon 1:1–2:1-2, 11 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jonah, son of Amittai: "Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it;their wickedness has come up before me."But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD.He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish,paid the fare, and went aboard to journey with them to Tarshish,away from the LORD. The LORD, however, hurled a violent wind upon the sea,and in the furious tempest that arosethe ship...

September 12 2019 Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Col 3:12-17 Brothers and sisters:Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another,if one has a grievance against another;as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.And over all these put on love,that is, the bond of perfection.And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,the peace into which you were also called in one Body.And be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,as in all wisdom you teach...

August 22 2019 Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reading 1 Jgs 11:29-39a The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah.He passed through Gilead and Manasseh,and through Mizpah-Gilead as well,and from there he went on to the Ammonites.Jephthah made a vow to the LORD."If you deliver the Ammonites into my power," he said,"whoever comes out of the doors of my houseto meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonitesshall belong to the LORD.I shall offer him up as a burnt offering." Jephthah then went on to the Ammonites to fight against them,and the LORD...

Posted on August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by Msgr. Charles Pope The Biblical Roots of the Assumption of Mary While the actual event of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven is not recorded in the Scriptures, there is a biblical basis for the teaching that, considered as a whole, confirms Catholic teaching as both fitting and in keeping with biblical principles. Let’s ponder this feast in stages:The Assumption Explained – To be “assumed” means to be taken up by God bodily into Heaven. As far back as the Church can remember we have celebrated the fact that Mary was...

August 15 2019 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reading 1 Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab God's temple in heaven was opened,and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,with the moon under her feet,and on her head a crown of twelve stars.She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.Then another sign appeared in the sky;it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,and on its heads were seven diadems.Its tail...

August 5 2019 Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1 Nm 11:4b-15 The children of Israel lamented,“Would that we had meat for food!We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt,and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks,the onions, and the garlic.But now we are famished;we see nothing before us but this manna.” Manna was like coriander seed and had the color of resin.When they had gone about and gathered it up,the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar,then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves,which...