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The Deacon's Bench

The striking image above is a depiction of Mary in Filipino dress. The description here comes from the blog Stopping 2 Ask 4 Directions: The image above, by Araceli Dans, is the first depiction of the Virgin Mary by an award winning artist in what would be considered Filipino attire. Baro at saya is what…

Opposition to abortion was mentioned from the podium at the Democratic Convention Tuesday night — if only fleetingly. It came when Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey delivered his speech. If you blinked you might have missed it. Here’s the highlight: The economy was the topic of Sen. Bob Casey’s, D-Pa., Tuesday night address to the Democratic National…

This back-and-forth is starting to look like the U.S. Open. After being strongly criticized for her remarks on television Sunday, the Speaker of the House has now fired off a response. I’m not sure it’s cleared the net: “The Speaker is the mother of five children and seven grandchildren and fully appreciates the sanctity of…

The Democrats may have their sister, but the Republicans can now lay claim to a Jesuit. From James Martin at America comes this tidbit, from the Republican National Committee: Father Edward A. Reese, S.J., president of Brophy Prep in Phoenix, will give the opening invocation at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul on September…

The above vocations recruitment poster comes from the Diocese of Raleigh, by way of WDTPRS. Personally, I prefer this one, with the same sentiment.

An alert reader picked up this tidbit and wanted me to spread the word. The much-bally-hooed (and derided) “Miss Sister 2008” contest has been called off. From Reuters: An Italian priest who had planned an online “pageant” for nuns has suspended the project, saying he was misinterpreted and had no intention of putting sisters on…

Here’s something that may leave a few Catholics gasping. From the U.S. News & World Report: At a funeral service I recently attended, a minister burned incense near the casket of the deceased. When the pleasant odor reached my nostrils, I inhaled deeply—and then began wondering if I should have. Sure enough, research published this…

A scholar in Rome has taken it upon himself to clarify what he thinks goes into the making of a good homily. Father Dario Viganò, director of “Cinema” and president of Ente dello Spettacolo, an Italian foundation dedicated to the cinema, as well as president of the Redemptor Hominis Pontifical Institute at the Pontifical Lateran…

Now for something completely non-political — and really, quite inspiring. America is about to get another married priest, but one unlike any other. From the Louisville Courier-Journal: David Harris never considered his conversion to Catholicism six years ago to be a rejection of the Baptist faith that nourished him from childhood in Eastern Kentucky. But…

Evidently, Joe Biden isn’t the only Catholic in the Democratic Party who is grabbing headlines today. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared on “Meet the Press” yesterday and showed her profound, almost incredible ignorance. And Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has taken it upon himself to educate her. He’s released a statement. Read the whole thing here.…
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