Free Republic

Q: What does canon law say about Catholics eloping? I understand the issue from the perspective of the sacramental theology of the Church, but was wondering if canon law had anything to say about it. –David A: When we speak of “elopement” today, we usually envision a young couple running away in the middle of the night to be married in secret, and without the consent of their parents—usually by a justice of the peace in a civil wedding ceremony. Is it ever possible for a Catholic couple (or a couple including only one Catholic) to marry under such circumstances?...

A sermon on Ecclesiastes by St Gregory of Nyssa We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in him no shadow of evil. Saint Paul himself and all who have reached the same heights of sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so have all who live and move and have their being in him. As no darkness can be seen by anyone surrounded by light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of anyone who has his eyes on Christ....

Americans wondering if assaults, breaking and entering and robberies are happening in their neighborhood do not have to wait for the local news sources to keep them up to date. Real time information is available at no cost to them with a map showing exact locations of where and what crimes have taken place.

If you like your radio talk show don’t be surprised if you can’t keep it. Obama’s Federal Communication Commission wants to place monitors in news rooms to decide which stories are selected, station priorities, content production, population served, perceived station bias and perceived percent of news dedicated to each of the “critical information” needs of a community.

The commentary on Proverbs by Procopius of Gaza Wisdom has built herself a house. God the Father’s Power, himself a person, has fashioned as his dwelling-place the whole world, in which he lives by his activity; and has fashioned man also, who was created to resemble God’s own image and likeness and has a nature which is partly seen and partly hidden from our eyes. And she has set up seven pillars. To man, who was made in the image of Christ when the rest of creation was completed, Wisdom gave the seven gifts of the Spirit to enable him...

Notre Dame of Maryland University has announced the names of the three finalists who are vying to lead the Baltimore institution. The finalists are Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Albright College in Reading, Pa.; Dr. Sara Thompson, associate provost for new program initiatives and dean of the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Marylou Yam, provost and vice president for academic affairs at St. Peter’s University (formerly St. Peter’s College) in Jersey City, N.J. The Feb. 19 announcement follows a comprehensive nationwide search and...

From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot Let us work for the food which does not perish – our salvation. Let us work in the vineyard of the Lord to earn our daily wage in the wisdom which says: Those who work in me will not sin. Christ tells us: The field is the world. Let us work in it and dig up wisdom, its hidden treasure, a treasure we all look for and want to obtain. If you are looking for it, really look. Be converted and come. Converted from what? From your own wilfulness. “But,” you may say,...

As neuroscientists from around the world continue to unravel brain processes they include a multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond the brain cells. New research has used neurobiology and nano-scale engineering to study neural circuits and their link to behavior.

The annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue arrives on newsstands Tuesday. It features three semi-nude babes on the cover. The issue is eagerly awaited by much of SI’s readership. However, let those of us who are Christ followers not deceive ourselves: the magazine’s swimsuit issue is nothing more than softcore pornography. Indeed, SI’s cover, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its swimsuit issue, actually is more sexualized than the cover of the latest issue of Playboy, which marks the skin magazine’s 60th anniversary, and which features the model Kate Moss in a bunny costume. What particularly offends about SI is its hypocrisy....

From a sermon by Blessed Isaac of Stella, abbot Why, my brethren, are we so little concerned with finding opportunities to advance each other’s salvation, responding to greater need with greater help and bearing each other’s burdens? This is what St Paul advised: Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ – or, again, forbearing each other in love. For that is most definitely the law of Christ. When I notice something wrong in my brother that cannot be corrected – either because it is inevitable or because it comes from some weakness of his in body...

St Augustine's Exposition on Galatians St Paul says, Be like me – who, though I was born a Jew, have learnt through spiritual insight to look down on things of the body – as I have become like you – that is, I am a man. Next he very properly reminds them of his love for them, so that they should not think that he is their enemy. My brethren, hear me: you have never done me harm – implying, ‘do not therefore think that I mean to do you any harm’. My children, he adds – so that they...

Vatican II, 'Gaudium et Spes' Just as it proceeds from man, so human activity is ordered toward man. For when a man works, he not only alters things and society, he develops himself as well. He learns much, he cultivates his resources, he goes outside himself and beyond himself. Rightly understood, this kind of growth is of greater value than any external riches which can be obtained. A man is more precious for what he is than for what he has. Similarly, all that men do to obtain greater justice, wider brotherhood, a more humane disposition of social relationships has...

From an account of the martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and his companions, by a contemporary writer The crosses were set in place. Father Pasio and Father Rodriguez took turns encouraging the victims. Their steadfast behaviour was wonderful to see. The Father Bursar stood motionless, his eyes turned heavenward. Brother Martin gave thanks to God’s goodness by singing psalms. Again and again he repeated: “Into your hands, Lord, I entrust my life.” Brother Francis Branco also thanked God in a loud voice. Brother Gonsalvo in a very loud voice kept saying the Our Father and Hail Mary. Our brother, Paul...

A little girl selling Girl Scout cookies was once a symbol of an organization trusted by parents. That became tarnished as the focus changed and now provides an environment that is said to be in conflict with the morality it once promoted.

From a homily on Saint Agatha by Saint Methodius of Sicily, bishop My fellow Christians, our annual celebration of a martyr’s feast has brought us together. She achieved renown in the early Church for her noble victory; she is well known now as well, for she continues to triumph through her divine miracles, which occur daily and continue to bring glory to her name. She is indeed a virgin, for she was born of the divine Word, God’s only Son, who also experienced death for our sake. John, a master of God’s word, speaks of this: He gave the power...

Nothing is more unrealistic, unfeasible, and completely preposterous than the idea of income equality. There is no way that all individuals with varying talents and abilities could ever be equal. Furthermore, there's no reason they should be. If you believe this, it doesn't make you cold-hearted, callous, or evil. What it makes you is rational and highly reasonable. Unfortunately, the world of politics is rarely rational or reasonable. Income inequality is an unsolvable issue. Rather than accepting it as inevitable or natural, politicians describe it as a problem. This problem of income inequality is vague and wide reaching. It becomes...

Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden of Baltimore and Catholic Charities of Baltimore Executive Director William J. McCarthy joined more than 30 Maryland officials, anti-poverty advocates and religious leaders Feb. 3 to support an increase in the state’s minimum wage. “In gathering as a faith community today, we speak on behalf of all those who come to us for food, clothing and shelter,” Bishop Madden said. “Even as we embrace them in their need, we join them in their struggle to secure financial independence through an honest day’s work. These workers deserve the comfort of knowing their hard work will enable...

From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop The Word of God became man, the Son of God became the Son of Man, in order to unite man with himself and make him, by adoption, a son of God. Only by being united to one who is himself immune could we be preserved from corruption and death, and how else could this union have been achieved if he had not first become what we are? How else could what is corruptible and mortal in us have been swallowed up in his incorruptibility and immortality, to enable us to receive...

This is inspired by a flurry of Facebook posts and comments: Lot's of potshots are being fired over the Super Bowl ad presented by Coca Cola on Sunday night. Those who were offended at hearing a patriotic song about America sung in foreign languages, are being labeled racist. And those who embrace multi-culturalism are being call unpatriotic. While it is probably somewhere in the middle of both, I am one who felt slighted by the ad. Facebook is ablaze with the debate and I will add that while I agree with this comment somewhat: "I loved the ad.... Can anyone...

From a treatise on the psalms by Saint Hilary of Poitiers Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity! It is good and pleasant for brothers to dwell in unity, because when they do so their association creates the assembly of the Church. The term “brothers” describes the bond of affection arising from their singleness of purpose. We read that when the apostles first preached, the chief instruction they gave lay in this saying: The hearts and minds of all believers were one. So it is fitting for the people of God to be brothers...