Op-Ed - Mark Lowery

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Are you a well-informed Catholic?
Plug into the renaissance in Catholic periodicals and you will be.

An amazing phenomenon has occurred in Catholic periodical publication over the last 15 years. In the late 70s, there were virtually no periodicals solidly committed to conveying the Catholic Faith in an orthodox manner. Nothing to stand up against the more trendy and revisionist periodicals that tended to be embarrassed about the Magisterium's teachings. In contrast to this dearth of support for our Faith, today I count, in addition to Envoy magazine, over a dozen rock solid publications that, each in its own unique way, unabashedly puts forth the teaching of the Church. While sharing this common orthodox ground, these publications each have their own niche. Together, they provide an incredible arsenal for Catholics who wish to take their Faith seriously during these trying times for the Church, and who wish to heed their pope's call to evangelize the world.

In a word, we need these publications very badly and need to know how to get them. In the list that follows, I will present several, trying to capture their respective uniqueness, and will provide the necessary subscription information. The flip side of our needing these publications is that they need us! They deserve our gratitude for their fine services, and the best way we can show this gratitude, and reap the enormous benefits, is to subscribe. Prayerfully consider giving some gift subscriptions this Christmas.

Let me make a bold claim: Every Catholic household that is not in serious financial difficulty should be getting nearly all of these periodicals, or sharing subscriptions with a friend. For about $350, you can have a virtual flood of the very best material available to Catholics today. You can cut that cost in half or in thirds by sharing subscriptions with one or two other families.

Too much to read? You can't afford not to read it! And much of this material is precisely for those who don't have the time to read good but long books. This material reads well over morning coffee, on the subway, while waiting in lines, or before bedtime. You'll feel as though you are in living conversation with the most creative Catholic minds writing today, who will in turn expose you to many of the greatest minds of the past. As you get to know each periodical, you'll look forward to its monthly arrival — a bright spot in your day.

What criteria were used in assembling this list? First, an explicit fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, which eliminates some periodicals that have many fine features, but have displayed an attitude of distrust to the Magisterium. A second criterion: monthly or at least bimonthly periodicals that aim to be accessible to the educated Catholic. This eliminates the fine journals (usually quarterlies) available primarily for scholars, as well as weekly or biweekly newspapers (the periodicals listed below are no substitute for a reliable Catholic newspaper). A third criterion: periodicals not centering on one particular theme or apostolate. This eliminates many of the fine publications that focus on some particular area such as missions, liturgical issues or family issues.

Finally, the material in these periodicals will not always harmonize perfectly. Within the parameters of Catholic doctrine there exists a legitimate plurality of views in such areas as social issues (the death penalty, voucher systems), liturgical practices, and theological method. One advantage of reading most or all of these publications is an exposure to this plurality, always with the assurance that one is reading within the context of orthodox Catholic teaching. So peruse the following list, start ordering, and get ready to fulfill Our Lord's first and greatest commandment: to love Him with all your heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37).