So claims one USA Today reporter: Modesty in young women's clothing is getting a boost from the dismal economy. When consumer spending was in overdrive, retailers could sell to the masses and ignore the more muted voices asking for, say, a decent supply of sleeved shirts or prom dresses that show mo...

This story broke yesterday, and it was not a terrible surprise (even as it is a terrible reality): A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the Roman Catholic population has been shifting out of the Northeast to the Southwest, the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined...

Our Catholic identity is indeed important. We are not Methodists, Anglicans, Baptists, Jews, or Hindus. Bishop Hermann, standing in as administrator marvelously while STL awaits a new archbishop (could it be he?) has some things to say about our identity. Fr. Z adds salient points related to the lit...

You know, if society has some free time this week: Although the world is immersed in images, it can be empty of beauty, Pope Benedict said today in a message he sent to the Pontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Literature as it explores the relationship between aesthetics and ethics. ... Pope Benedict...

AP: A singing Mary will make her debut this month when a musical on the life of the mother of Jesus has its world premiere at the Vatican. The Vatican says the musical "Mary of Nazareth - A Continuing Story" premieres June 17. It is not clear if Pope Benedict XVI will attend. The musical is an Itali...

OK, last post for today. I agree complete with O'Brien's views on technology and modern culture. May, 2008 Dear friends, This month, I would like to share a few thoughts on gratitude. In a time of struggle—which is the situation for all those who seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly—it is easy to...

Art has the power to teach. Back in the Medieval Era, the majority of Christendom was made up of hardworking and illiterate peasants who nonetheless were devout and pious Catholics. How did a father and a mother teach their children the truths of the Faith without so much as a catechism manual or Ho...

Last night I saw Mike Mangione and his band perform at the Quincy House in Brookland, DC (which is quickly becoming the hot spot for local Catholic/Christian musicians - check it out if you are in the area). After their instruments were safely stowed, I talked with Mike, his brother Tom, and learned...

Today we celebrate our first year anniversary at the RCP blog. My, the time has passed quickly. A year ago today, Sarah and I took the apostolate online to spread the message of Catholic tradition while engaging our culture for Christ. From anticipating the liberation of the Traditional Latin Mass t...

One of the first rules of debate is that the person you are debating should be able to recognize their own opinions when you try to characterize them. Otherwise, all you've managed to do is construct a charicature of the other person's position. With that little tip in mind, see if you can recognize...