Scott's Catholicism Blog November 2007 Archive

This week, we have two reader questions that I'm combining into one post, because they're related. First up, a reader writes: I am currently in RCIA and sometimes I go ... Read More

(With Christmas music on the radios and decorations in the stores, it's hard to keep our thoughts on preparing for Christmas, rather than celebrating it early. To help make ... Read More

As the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory draws to a close, we should turn our thoughts to those souls in Purgatory who don't have anyone to pray for ... Read More

Often, the designation of cardinal is reserved to certain important dioceses, but popes sometimes bestow the honor in order to make a broader point. That was likely the case ... Read More

On Saturday, November 24, Pope Benedict XVI elevated 23 bishops, archbishops, and patriarchs to the rank of cardinal, thus returning the College of Cardinals to 120 members, the limit set ... Read More

A reader writes: When does the Christmas season officially start? Stores start playing Christmas music the day after Halloween, the neighbors put up their decorations on Thanksgiving, and my kids ... Read More

Thanksgiving Day is a time for family, faith, food, and fun. As you gather today to give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given all of ... Read More

When we talk about "preparing for Thanksgiving," we usually mean buying the turkey, cutting up the bread for stuffing, and baking a pecan or a pumpkin pie (or both). ... Read More

A reader writes: In a recent article you mentioned "offering up" your struggles. How do you do this? What kind of things do you say or do to "offer ... Read More

For Catholics of the Roman Rite (which is most of us), Advent, the period of preparation for Christmas, begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. (Here's a complete Advent ... Read More

During the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, we remember all of the faithful departed, but we should remember in a special way our parents. They gave us ... Read More

The Catholic Church teaches that belief in Christ is necessary for salvation. The Church also teaches that God, in His mercy, may still save those who do not have ... Read More

This Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a good time to remind ourselves of some spiritual practices of the past that have been neglected in recent decades. ... Read More

Throughout the United Kingdom, November 5 is Guy Fawkes' Day, the day in 1605 when a conspiracy by Fawkes and other Catholics to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate ... Read More

As Spanish Catholics view with caution recent actions by the Socialist government of Spain, the Catholic Church has beatified 498 Spanish martyrs who were killed during the Spanish Civil War ... Read More

November begins with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and so it is appropriate that the Church calls us, throughout the month, to remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory. ... Read More

The Church follows All Saints Day (November 1), Her celebration of those who have died and now live again in Heaven, with All Souls Day (November 2), in which we ... Read More

November 1 is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics. Today, we celebrate all of those who have died and, through their faithful commitment to ... Read More