Love

For a long time now I have had the idea of writing a series of posts on 'why be a Catholic'.

I'd like to offer one reason, based on my own experience: love.

Why be a Catholic? It helps you to love. It certainly helped me to love.

Obviously not my friends and family and those I admire; I loved them already. But the other sort. The inconsiderate and unkind, selfish and hateful, the criminal, politicians of ill will... the list goes on but you get the idea.

Loving people who are unloveable is a freeing experience. No more being bound by negative and potentially self-destructive emotions. Recognition of God's love for me despite my many faults. Immersion in the most beautiful state of being one could ask for.

But how can I love someone like, say, the cyclist who cuts me up on the pavement or, rather more seriously, the likes of Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin? Loving is not the same as liking. I don't have to like them. Part of what loving is, is recognising that these people are (a) children of God (b) broken just like I am, perhaps more, perhaps less, but still broken (c) broken children for whom Jesus died in order to heal just like He died in order to heal me (d) capable of holiness if they choose to repent.

The above is not the full story but it is a part of it and it is what is in my mind and heart to write here.

Of course, the Catholic Church has certain beliefs that many people find unloving. For example, her teachings regarding sexuality. I'll try and come back to this because I have skin that game: I'm bisexual. For this post, though, I am so happy that I became a Catholic. In doing so I said yes, a mighty yes that even Mr. Emerson might have been impressed by, to love.

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ethan

NB Mr Emerson? Read or watch A Room With a View!

The Hierarchy of Truths

Up until a day or two ago, it was my impression that when the Catholic Church spoke about the 'hierarchy of truths' she was saying that some truths had to be adhered to if one wished to be in communion with the Church, specifically, Peter (i.e. the Pope), while others - to greater or lesser degrees - didn't.

For example, to be a Catholic in communion with Peter, you had to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, that He was born of the Virgin Mary, etc. But you did not have to believe that women may never become priests, or rather priestesses. You ought to because the Church had spoken authoritatively on the matter without declaring the teaching a matter of faith but because it wasn't 'de fide' you could dissent and still be in communion with Peter. Neither did you have to believe any economic teaching that the Church might put forward. This was, in my mind, especially the case as in the hierarchy of truths, the Church's economic teaching is somewhere near the bottom.

But then I read this article in America magazine, which presented a different view of what the Church means by hierarchy of truths. I'm not going to pretend I understood everything in the article but I have to say, if it is accurate, the Church's understanding of the hierarchy of truths is very beautiful. Rather than truths existing separately from each other in Division 1 of Importance, Division 2, Division 3, and so on, they are like a river; the essential truths (those that are 'de fide') are the source, all others flow from them, one truth to the next to the next. The truths that are closest to the source are more important than those further down river but nevertheless, all are important and can't be separated from each other.

What does this mean in terms of the assent we are required to give them? Because they are all joined together, am I obligated to believe the truths that are further down river, the 'lesser' or more junior ones as well as the most important? As I write these words, my answer is yes and no. Yes, I ought to believe them unless after prayer and consideration I perceive that the truth I am contemplating is not a truth after all, or, that it is not the full truth. In that case, no; even if somehow it puts me out of communion with Peter? Yes. The truth must always be followed. If it is truth, it will end with God just as it came from Him. 

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Priscilla Du Preez

Prayer and Praying

On most mornings, after I have said Lauds and read the day's scripture reading, I say my own private prayers. I have so many I keep them on my phone so that I can remember each and every one. Sometimes, however, I say them so fast that I barely apprehend them. It's as if they go from my eyes to my mouth to the ether without entering my head and heart. I say 'ether' deliberately because surely they don't go to heaven? Why would God care about prayers that we have cared about too little ourselves? And yet, this is to judge God's actions according to my standards. Not wise.

When it comes to praying the Rosary, I pray it whenever and wherever I can. I've talked in the past about praying it while doing the washing up. I also pray the Rosary while walking along the road. Often what happens though is that I end up simply saying the words and don't think about the mysteries to which they are attached. The Annunciation, Visitation, etc. This always concerns me because it means I am emptying the Rosary of its meaning, making the exercise a repetitious waste of time. On the other hand, however, it seems to me that even if I am not contemplating the mysteries properly, simply saying Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be... is bringing me closer to God by virtue of the prayer's own innate holiness. Is it possible to turn the Rosary into a mantra?

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Anuja Tilj

Catholic Guilt

I was thinking about the idea of Catholic Guilt the other day.

Do you know when it first came about? I don't. I'm going to take a guess and say that it's origins lie in the pre-Vatican II era when priests were far more likely to preach fire-and-brimstone homilies than they are now. In doing so, they focused on God's punishment rather than on His mercy. A writer noticed this, and wrote an article or story which focused on the idea of Catholic Guilt and it grew in popularity (if that is the right word) from there.

I haven't done a search on the internet to find out the truth of the matter so I may be way off the mark. Either way, perhaps because I am a post-Vatican II child, and a convert at that, I don't feel much affected by the idea of Catholic Guilt.

No one should, really. God is love. If we sin and repent, He forgives us. Once He does that, we are in a state of grace. No more sin. No need to feel guilty.

Of course, it usually (always) happens that we fall out of that state of grace and sin again. No problem: say sorry again; get back to that state of grace. Keep doing it and keep doing it. Each time, focus on repentance and rejoice in the grace. That has to be the perfect antidote to this idea of Catholic guilt.

***

It occurs to me that this post is sixty years too late. By-and-large, priests no longer preach fire-and-brimstone homilies, and no one talks about Catholic Guilt, anymore; well, except me, it seems. I am very happy to be out-of-date. I know how history works, however, and how old errors can reappear. Maybe not in the same form as before, but in a not-so different one, either. This post is just in case anyone starts trying to making Catholics guilty again.

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Jametlene Reskp

Confession: A Blessing

I love going to confession.

On the one hand it can be a bit nerve wracking and, of course, embarrassing, but I never fail to come away feeling blessed and glad that I went. I'm always sorry that it is such a Cinderella sacrament.

***

I have been a Catholic for thirty years. In that time, I can only remember one sustained period (of about six months or so) when I didn't go to confession. That was because I got out of the habit of going and was forever putting off going back. 

Equally, I have only had two 'bad' experiences. One was my fault and the other, so far as I remember, was the priest's. I can't remember what it was he said that affected me negatively but don't mind: it tells me that whatever it was wasn't so very bad after all as I would otherwise have remembered. Anyway, while two negative experiences is two too many, given that priests are only human it is remarkable that the figure isn't higher. I have surely benefitted from being in the confessional with many holy priests, many who remember they are there 'in persona Christi'.

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Tómas Robertson

Edith Stein: One of My First Spiritual Loves

The course of my Catholic journey means that the Feast Day of any Carmelite saint is special to me, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross's especially so.

When I became interested in Catholicism in 1995-6 she (along with Cardinal Newman) was one of the first saints whom I met along the Way. 

After I converted at Easter 1996 I did spend some time buying and reading books about and by her but I have to confess that in the years since, though I have never forgotten her, I haven't asked myself 'what is the basis of that attraction?' - because I still find both her and Newman very attractive - often enough. 

I guess at the beginning it was her intellectualism. When I converted I was still at university so living that kind of life. That's certainly what I liked about Newman. Today, I still respect her intellectual abilities - they were very, very great - but I bet if I spent just a little more time in her spiritual company, I'd find more to not just respect but absorb and let influence me. Same with Newman.

Well, I guess (today, it seems, is a day for guessing) I know what to do next. 

St. Benedict

my Contemplative Art post for 11th July 2026

St. Benedict

St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547) is the founder of the order named after him and is regarded as the father of Western Monasticism. He isn't someone just for monks and nuns, however. Benedict wrote a Rule that you and I can read and draw wisdom and inspiration from in our secular lives. 

In this painting, we see Benedict writing his Rule. But note that he is not looking at it. His eyes are turned to heaven. It's as if he is speaking to God; maybe he is asking the Father to show him what to write next.

That is as it should be. Sit (or stand) with Benedict for a moment and give thought to his prayerfulness, his humility, and wisdom, then, why not ask God the Father to help you write whatever needs to be written (literally or figuratively) in your life.

A Short Prayer

Dear Lord

I pray for the grace to pray,

the humility to listen,

the words to write

the story of my life in you.

St. Benedict may you intercede for me in this prayer.

Amen

11th July 2026

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All Saints Lutheran Church & School

Corpus Christi

this post was first published on the Contemplative Art page on 6th June 2026

Corpus Christi

Whatever you are doing today, why not spend just a moment in thanksgiving to Jesus for giving His body and His blood for us, for giving His body and His blood for us to adore and to eat. 

Stop on this page and pray with Pope Benedict XVI; better still, go to YouTube and find a church that is live streaming Adoration; even better still, go if you can to a church in person and meet Him there. 

Whichever you do, though, even if you don't have that time, be sure that Jesus loves you and will always love you, whoever, wherever you are. He gives Himself always for you and will always do so.

A Short Prayer

Dear Lord

Thank you for the gift of Our Lord's body and blood.

Help me to receive it worthily;

Help me to live in sight of it always.

Dear Jesus, thank you!

Amen

6th June 2026

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Inside the Vatican

Ann Widdecombe (1947-2026) R.I.P

Yesterday morning I heard the news that Ann Widdecombe had died. I was shocked. Although she was now 78 I hadn't heard that she was in bad health or anything like that. I said a prayer for her and wrote a short post on my Keys Substack page (1).

Suddeny, in the afternoon, news came through that she had been murdered. Dreadful, dreadful news. Widdecombe's status as a prominent politician (still active in that sphere though no longer an MP) immediately made me wonder if the crime could have been politically motivated. For the sake of the British body politic, I hoped and hope not. 

I feel bad about thinking about her death in terms of politics. Sadly, though, it's one of those things that happens to people no better than I: instead of focusing on the only important thing - the deceased - we contextualise what has happened straight away. 

There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but it would be good if it could not happen for at least a few hours, preferably a few days, after the news of their death has come through. The danger is that when we start contextualising we lose sight of the person at the centre of the matter.

In the afternoon, I prayed a rosary and offered my evening prayer for the repose of Ann Widdecombe's soul. Being a politician, she was a divisive person; I hope, though, that this will now be set aside by everyone in favour of doing the one thing that matters: praying that the Lord may forgive any sins she committed and bring her into the peace of His heavenly kingdom. Amen.

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International Business Times

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Today (4th July) is the feast day of Pier Giogio Frassati, and not just the feast day but first feast day of St. Pier Giorgio as well! 

Frassati was canonised in September last year, along with St. Carlo Acutis, by Pope Leo XIV. Back then, my focus was on St. Carlo, and no wonder, he was in life a truly remarkable young man - well, boy, really, as he died aged just 15. I am quite sure that in the years to come, he will, like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, become an even more remarkable saint.

In the last few months, though, I have found myself thinking about St. Pier Giorgio Frassati more. In truth, he was hardly less remarkable in life than St. Carlo. Born in 1901 into a rich Milanese family, Frassati used his portion of that wealth to help the poor of his hometown. 

When he died aged just 24 (from polio, probably contracted from one of the people he helped along the way), the Frassati family were astonished by the numbers of people who came out to pay their respects. Pier Giorgio remembered the poor, and the poor remembered him. 

Earlier this morning, I asked myself what is it about Pier Giorgio that I like so much? I think the answer, at least today, is threefold:

1. His evident holiness. He not only helped the poor but went out of his way to do so. When he travelled by train, he could have gone first class. Instead, he went Third and gave the difference away to the poor. 
2. His vibrancy. He didn't just live, he really lived. Frassati enjoyed mountain climbing as a hobby. That wakes me up and gives me 25% more energy just thinking about it! I'm sure it did even more for him.
3. His friendliness. Pier Giorgio had a very friendly and attractive personality. And he didn't use it for his own glory, so's to speak, but to bring people to God. 

Basically, Pier Giorgio Frassati is the kind of man I would like - in my own particular way - to be. It doesn't matter that I am now 30 years older than him. When you come face-to-face, as it were, with someone like Frassati, age doesn't matter. It's all about the personality, leading to the relationship with God, leading to the holiness. 

I can't finish this post without mentioning PGF's famous motto, scribbled onto a post card he once wrote: verso l'alto! To The Heights! Every day, even if it is by just one step, I pray that I too may be able to ascend the heights of faith. In so doing, I ask for Frassati's intercession.

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one of my favourite images of PGF

Catholic Journey

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati - pray for us!

What's In A Name?

I am delighted to have discovered a new blog today.

Its URL is https://associationofcatholicwomenbloggers.blogspot.com/ but the blog title is Association of Catholic Bloggers.

It isn't unknown for a blog to have a different URL and blog name. Obviously, I don't know why the word 'women' appears in this one's URL and not the blog name. Perhaps it started out as being for female bloggers before evolving into an association for both sexes. Having said that, their Facebook page is named The Association of Catholic Women Bloggers so clearly that title is still valid. 

To acknowledge the difference of titles, I have added the blog to the blog list under the title the Association of Catholic (Women) Bloggers. I'll amend it if I find out that one or the other version of the names is the correct one. In the meantime, I hope you will join me in exploring the blog and growing in faith through it.

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Today (20th June 2026) is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This image comes from the Catholic Fire blog. Do visit it, and say a prayer for the soul of its founder Jean M. Heimann and her husband, Bill (Read more about them here).

Meditation of St. Francis of Assisi

First published on the Contemplative Art page

Meditation of St. Francis of Assisi

Is there any saint who has a softer image than St. Francis of Assisi? If we had known the real man, however, we would have seen a far tougher figure, both in terms of how he lived, and his beliefs. 

Francis lived simply, very simply; we would find the rawness of his life tough to replicate. He was completely committed to his Catholic Faith and explored it with an intensity that most of us, I imagine, would hardly dare. 

If I met someone who emulated St. Francis, I would waste no time in asking him or her to pray for me, for I would know that the Lord is hearing those prayers! 

In this image below, Francis is doing something that, again, many of us simply don't, and probably wouldn't like, to do: contemplate death.

We ought to do it, though, for sooner or later it will happen. The wonderful thing is that there is no need to be afraid of it. When it happens, it won't be the End but simply the beginning of something - please God - very great indeed. Death is but a doorway, and the never-ending land beyond is every good thing that we could ever wish for and so much more transformed by the very presence of Almighty God Himself. Talk about an exciting prospect.

A Short Prayer

Dear Lord

The thought of death scares me,

Even though you achieved victory

over it forever.

Grant me the grace to never fear it,

But to love what it leads to:

Life with you forever,

in bliss, eternal bliss

Amen

30th May 2026

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Muscarelle Museum of Art

The Road to Emmaus

first published on my Contemplative Art page on 19th April 2026

The Road to Emmaus

It can be hard being a Christian sometimes. The promise that is given to us, however, is eternity in the bliss of heaven. Something of that bliss appears in this painting of Jesus meeting the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. The scene is very bucolic, there are no other people or animals getting in the way, it is just Cleopas and his companion, listening to the Lord. Perfection. Yes, being a Christian can be very hard, but if we focus on what Jesus says to us, heaven can, in a manner of speaking, come to us even in the difficulties that we face.

A Short Prayer

Dear Lord

Help me.

Help me to listen to you,

to focus on you,

to show heaven in my life now

by being faithful to you.

Amen

19th April 2026

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Emmaus Homes

Love is the Way

From Pinterest:

This quotation is currently on my mind. The Faith as a love affair. Well, we are in relationship with Jesus, I guess; indeed, with the Holy Trinity, so it makes sense to see ourselves as lovers with the Divine. 

But it also feels awkward somehow, because - to me, anyway - a love affair is a loose space where you, if not break rules, then potentially bend them in pursuance of the beloved and in the sharing of that love. 

The Catholic Faith, by contrast, feels a bit more rigid due to the importance it gives to right doctrine. 

Maybe my view of love affairs is too dominated by unrealistic films and books. Chesterton's words, however, have a ring of truth about them, and I hope I get the chance to ponder them more in the next few days.