The hottest Catholicism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

A Buddhist Sun Miracle?

Astral Codex Ten • 10323 implied HN points • 27 Mar 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Large mass “sun miracle” events — like Fatima — involved huge crowds who reported the sun spinning, changing colors, and behaving oddly, and these accounts are often cited as strong empirical proof by believers.
  2. A very similar episode happened at Dhammakaya Temple in 1998, where thousands described the sun shifting colors, rotating, and even forming an image of a revered monk, showing the same phenomenon appeared in a non‑Catholic context.
  3. The pattern suggests a psychological or perceptual cause rather than supernatural intervention: focused light‑meditation practices (like kasina) and sungazing can produce comparable visual effects, though more primary reporting and research are needed to confirm this explanation.

Candace Owens and the Catholic ‘Monster Mash’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 561 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. A major Catholic gala is featuring Candace Owens, a public figure known for spreading antisemitic claims and conspiracy theories.
  2. What looks like an innocuous religious event is giving a platform to people who peddle Jew-hating rhetoric, which risks normalizing antisemitism in faith and political spaces.
  3. Owens has promoted specific falsehoods such as minimizing Nazi medical experiments, alleging Jews or Israel were behind 9/11, and claiming a small group of political Jews control U.S. policy.

Inside the Christian Civil War over Antisemitism

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 366 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. American Catholicism is sharply divided over antisemitism, with older leaders insisting antisemitism is anti‑Christian while many younger Catholics treat that view as outdated.
  2. A growing Judeo‑Christian Zionist movement is uniting politicians and celebrities to cast support for Israel as part of a wider "civilizational struggle" against Islamist extremists and their backers.
  3. High‑profile expulsions and public fights over demonizing Jews show these disputes are reshaping faith communities and political alliances.

Can Vibe Coding Make Me a Better Catholic?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 329 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Advanced AI is being used to build faith-focused mental health tools, showing tech can be turned toward religious practice and pastoral care.
  2. State-of-the-art models like Claude feel almost superhuman, and that sense of completeness makes people nervous about how fast AI is evolving and what it could change in our lives.
  3. Sincere, faith-oriented projects coming from unexpected creators prompt suspicion, highlighting tensions around authenticity, trust, and the role of technology in spiritual life.

'That book', the Black Nazarene, and my grown-up marriage

The Pillar • 2476 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Every January 9th, millions of Filipino Catholics gather to celebrate the Black Nazarene statue in Manila.
  2. The Black Nazarene statue, brought to the Philippines in 1606, holds significant religious and historical importance for the country.
  3. Marriage is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, celebrated with humor, forgiveness, and faith in God's plan.
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Remember Rievaulx, these Churches, and the ‘Catholic vote’ con

The Pillar • 1179 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Saint Aelred of Rievaulx is one of the lesser-known English saints with a fascinating history.
  2. The concept of a 'Catholic vote' in American elections is largely a myth, as Catholics tend to divide like the rest of the country.
  3. The discussion around the 'Catholic vote' in elections is often driven by financial interests and media sensationalism, rather than genuine political impact.

New Hampshire, 'abashed' silence, and smoking fast

The Pillar • 982 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. A New Hampshire Catholic family experienced a remarkable conversion to Catholicism in the 19th century.
  2. Fr. Virgil Barber and his family members all eventually entered religious life, breaking traditional family norms.
  3. Uncle Chen, a marathon runner who smoked during races, got disqualified for violating new rules against smoking on marathon courses.

Candlemas(s), the hard way, and common crime

The Pillar • 628 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. The Presentation of the Lord is a beautiful feast with the image of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple.
  2. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola in Finland faces unique challenges in leading a diverse Catholic community.
  3. Catholic schools are facing financial and demographic challenges, but remain important for fostering vocations.

My Roman nemesis, bottle episodes, and the Seinfeld synod

The Pillar • 1061 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. The synod on synodality involves diverse descriptions like ecclesial reform, renewal, and revolution, leading to broad mistrust among Catholics.
  2. About 25% of the voting members at the synod are non-bishops, raising concerns about non-bishop votes deciding resolutions.
  3. The impact of the synod on synodality on the Church's narrative and mission may be limited, with expectations of it being more of a 'bottle episode' and a 'departure episode'.

‘One step forward?’ — How some American Catholics experience ‘Fiducia supplicans’

The Pillar • 393 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Misunderstandings about church doctrine can lead to curiosity and a desire for a relationship with God.
  2. Some gay and same-sex attracted Catholics may not find comfort in recent Church pronouncements.
  3. Pastoral accompaniment and building trust are crucial for supporting all Catholics, regardless of their relationship status.

Mother Teresa, the news, and 'where’s the salt?'

The Pillar • 746 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. Mother Teresa found Christ in the poor, loved them deeply, and considered prayer life essential.
  2. Unity among priests in dioceses is crucial for successful large projects like parish consolidations.
  3. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict have cited theologian Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, raising questions about the compatibility of his work with Catholic doctrine.

What's Finnish for Catholic?

The Pillar • 216 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. The city of Helsinki was covered in snow, which was a new experience for someone from a hot city. Different nationalities and languages come together at St. Henry's Cathedral for Mass, creating a diverse and international parish community.
  2. Despite its small size, St. Henry's Cathedral in Helsinki hosts Masses in 11 languages, catering to a wide range of immigrant communities. The cathedral itself has historical significance and plays a central role in the local Catholic community.
  3. The Catholic Church in Finland is growing, especially with an increase in conversions during and after the pandemic. The church provides a supportive environment for diverse communities, with a focus on family and fostering a strong faith community.

A school of vocations

The Pillar • 196 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism
  1. There has been a significant decline in the number of Catholic schools in the U.S. over the last 50 years.
  2. While the number of Catholic colleges decreased, the number of students enrolled in these colleges increased.
  3. The percentage of Catholic children attending Catholic schools has reduced, but Catholic education still influences vocations like priesthood.