Paul Kniaz – Catholic Stand

Apostolate Through a Conversation

Paul Kniaz June 23, AD2023 1 Comment

A few months ago, I went on an Opus Dei silent, weekend retreat. One of the most memorable talks was on apostolate. A numerary, a

Thoughts on the Story of Naaman

Paul Kniaz May 1, AD2023 3 Comments

This Lent we read the story of Naaman. I think it is worth recalling it. First, the story brings up a group of people who

Do It For Yourself- You’re Worth It?

Paul Kniaz February 15, AD2023 2 Comments

Many say you shouldn’t and can’t expect anything from life. Nobody owes you anything. Instead, you should “Do it for yourself. You’re worth it.” Yet,

Trying to Understand Our Shortage of Vocations

Paul Kniaz July 23, AD2022 5 Comments

At the beginning of my summer break, I spent a day at an abbey nearby. I wanted to get away from teaching and colleagues and

You Can Do Nothing Without Me

Paul Kniaz June 25, AD2022 3 Comments

DC Talk, a Christian rock and rap trio from 1987, wrote a song, “Like It, Love It, Need It,” with these lyrics, “You gotta like

devil, demon, Satan, evil, temptation, swearing

The Joker as Satanic Figure

Paul Kniaz January 26, AD2022 5 Comments

There’s a new Batman movie coming out in March of 2022. In fact, there’s almost a yearly new Batman or Joker movie. Batman (if he

A Reflection on St. Paul’s Words about Love

Paul Kniaz January 8, AD2022 1 Comment

We often wonder about love. What is love? What does it mean to really love someone? Our modern world tells us that love is a

romance, Valentine, sexuality, love, large families

Revisiting My Post About Dating Outside the Church

Paul Kniaz October 14, AD2021 5 Comments

Three years ago, I wrote a piece called “Dating Outside the Church.” To this day, the piece seems to inspire comments. Looking back on the

hymn, church music, chant, evangelization, Jazz

Learning and Progress in the Spiritual Life and Beyond

Paul Kniaz September 15, AD2021 1 Comment

Human progression is less linear than we think, and we shouldn’t always expect the spiritual life to be a linear progression either. This point is

Forgiveness in Kristin Lavransdatter

Paul Kniaz August 18, AD2021 5 Comments

Trent Horn is a Catholic apologist and author who often appears on Catholic Answers. He also has his own podcast, The Council of Trent. In

What the Catechism Has to Say About Pornography

Paul Kniaz July 18, AD2021 2 Comments

Our age holds the infamous distinction of making pornography universally accessible with an internet connection. Arguably, pornography lies behind our tolerance of immodest summer fashions

priest, ordination, priests, Fr. Kapaun, clergy

The Priestly Blessing of Homosexual Unions

Paul Kniaz March 30, AD2021 7 Comments

It’s easy to see why someone (especially with a misunderstanding of blessings) might think the blessing of a homosexual union would be a good thing.

Two Aspects of God’s Love: Forever and Sacrifice

Paul Kniaz February 14, AD2021 1 Comment

Around Valentine’s Day, when we think about human love, it may also be a good tine to think about two aspects of God’s love: Forever

Reflections on Laxity in “A Church in Crisis”

Paul Kniaz January 17, AD2021 1 Comment

The following reflections on A Church in Crisis Pathways Forward by Ralph Martin, bring into focus the laxity of universalism, the laxity of accompaniment, and

A Hero of Our Time: Victim or Sinner

Paul Kniaz November 13, AD2020 No Comments

I read A Hero for Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov in college. In the book, Lermontov presents his reader with the Byronic, anti-hero they had

Aziz Ansari on Visiting Parents

Paul Kniaz September 23, AD2020 1 Comment

Visiting our parents is often something people don’t want to do these days. Maybe, that’s because we are thinking about the visit the wrong way.

Broken Vows in Dante’s Commedia

Paul Kniaz August 18, AD2020 No Comments

Two of the most interesting encounters in Dante’s Commedia lead to broken vows. Here’s a breakdown of the two encounters. In the first instance, Dante