Honestly, I have something of a papal hangover. After intensely focusing on the papal travels this past week I am in a bit of a daze--day after day of live coverage will do that to you. As I recover, I thought I'd share a few interesting pieces that may have escaped your attention. There are two very insightful articles by Newsweek's Daniel Stone: "The Green Pope" and a good wrap up of the papal visit, "What the Pope Accomplished."

Also of note is Bill McGurn's piece from Tuesday's Wall Street Journal, "The Pope and the President." Bill is going to be my guest on the World Over this week - so be sure to join us.

We'll wrap the papal visit and provide some analysis. If you don't have EWTN, you can watch on line at www.ewtn.com.

Come back and see us soon.
Raymond

Some wonderful news to report: The World Over Live will soon be broadcasting from the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC each Friday night. The lights are finally in our new studio. You can certainly watch the show on EWTN live, but now, when you are next in DC, you can come experience the World Over in person.

Seating is limited, so to insure that we have a seat for you, drop us an e-mail at worldoverdc@yahoo.com. Tell us what Friday you would like to come, and how many people will be in your party. We'll send you a confirmation and see you in the studio. Get ready to see all that is "seen and unseen." Can't wait to seeyou all at our new broadcast home.

Thanks for dropping by.
Yours,
Raymond

It has been a crazy Spring. I want to thank the many of you who continue to e-mail and all of my friends who have purchased "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons" as Easter presents. Mother's teachings are always in season.

We are in the midst of a massive move. 'The World Over Live' is relocating to Washington DC. This week the set was moved up permanently from Birmingham to our new home at the John Paul II Cultural Center. It will give new life to the show and I think give us an opportunity to do some incredible things. I hope some of you will come be a part of our live studio audience and experience the program in person. More on what we're planning soon...

To break it in properly, the new studio will be our anchor location for the DC portion of Pope Benedict's visit from April 15-18th (in fact the Pope is actually coming to the building.) Then we will be off to New York for the second half of the visit. Father Richard Neuhaus and Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus will be joining me for what is sure to be an incredible event. Make sure to watch EWTN for complete coverage of the Papal visit, and keep it here for the latest backstage news.

Thanks for dropping in,
Raymond

So glad you stopped by...
I can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here.
It has certainly been a crazy Fall. Several projects that I have been working on for years, suddenly are being unveiled at nearly the same time. Firstly, I am thrilled by the reaction you all have had to the book I edited for Mother Angelica and her sisters: "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality." It is a wonderful collection of her wit and profound wisdom. It is the perfect inspirational stocking stuffer this Christmas. I hope Mother lands under your tree this year... or at least her book does.

Another project that I am really excited about is:
"The Birth of Christ." This musical gem by Andrew T. Miller explores the Christmas story as never before and has already shown its power to create peace and brotherhood in Dublin, where it was recorded. Each year I hear complaints that there is nothing on television at Christmas that reflects the true nature of the season. Well, I don't want to hear that this year. Along with the composer, Andy Miller, I have produced a piece that will musically enchant your family, and truly lift your spirits this season. "The Birth of Christ" premieres on PBS this Christmas and is available, unabridged, from Sony Classics. Make sure to call your local public television programmer and remind them that the program is available to them from WLIW in New York--and tell them you want to see it! We hope you will support this important work.

Finally there is "The Word Of Promise," a dramatic audio Bible that I produced for Thomas Nelson which features the most wonderful cast. The eternal Word has never sounded so good. The original score, incredible sound effects and moving performances makes this Bible irresistible. Visit the official site (the link is on my homepage) and listen to the Scriptures come alive.

Thank you for visiting, and check in regularly.
Yours,
Raymond

Thanks for visiting the site. I know many of you have dropped by in recent days to read my piece on the Pope's decree concerning the Latin Mass. Several of you have asked what Mother Angelica thinks of the Old Rite of the Mass. Well wonder no more. As it turns out I had included a quote from Mother commenting on the traditional Roman Rite of the Mass in "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality." Here is the quote. And there is much more where that came from. Hope you are having a great summer. Yours, Raymond"

THE TRADITIONAL ROMAN MASS
Latin was the perfect language for the Mass.
It’s the language of the Church, which allows us to pray a verbal prayer without distraction.

See, the purpose of the Mass is to pray and to be associated with the crucifixion and with that glorious banquet that we partake of in Holy Communion. He is there. But so much is spoiled in the vernacular.

During the Latin Mass you had the missal if you wanted to follow it in English. It was almost mystical. It gave you an awareness of heaven, of the awesome humility of God who manifests Himself in the guise of bread and wine. The love that He had for us, His desire to remain with us is simply awesome. You could concentrate on that love, because you weren’t distracted by your own language. You could go anywhere in the world and you always knew what was going on. It was contemplative because as the Mass was going on you could close your eyes and visualize what really happened. You could feel it. You could look to the east and realize that God had come and was really present. The way it is today with the priest facing the people, its something between the people and the priest. Too often it’s just some kind of get-together and Jesus is all but forgotten.

THE EUCHARIST
Every time I receive the Eucharist it is more God in me. The Lord Himself said, “If you do not eat the flesh of the son of Man you will not have life in you.” Your capacity to receive grace grows each time you accept His Body and Blood. If you give God a pint jar, you can’t expect him to put the ocean in it. The Eucharist broadens your ability to receive grace.
- From "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality" (Doubleday)

Thanks for stopping by. There has been so much confusion about what Pope Benedict's intention was in issuing his recent Decree on the Latin Mass. Here's what I think is happening, from the Wall Street Journal. For the unedited version (which makes a few critical points), click here. Thanks for dropping in and see you soon. Raymond

Hope everyone is having a grand summer. So many of you are reading the paperback of my biography of Mother Angelica... in fact just the other day someone wrote to me complaining that I had caused her to be sunburned. Apparently she started reading the book at the beach and didn't want to put it down. Advice: read the book indoors or under shelter please!

Wanted to give you a heads up of what we'll be discussing on the World Over this week. Father Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute is joining me to talk about entrepreneurship, but we'll also be discussing the Pope's recent letter to China, the democracy march that took place this week in Hong Kong, and the forthcoming Papal document on the Latin Mass. Hope you can join us. The show premieres at 8PM Eastern Time on EWTN this Friday night. More later.... Raymond

Raymond's exclusive report on private White House meeting mentioned in Bob Novak's Column. Read it HERE!

Hey Gang,
I have some great news. Months after "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality" was released, the book is still holding firm on bestseller lists. This week Publisher's Weekly has Mother's book as number 9 on the Religious Bestseller List. It is simply amazing, and all due to your devotion to the book. Thank you and may you find great inspiration on those pages.

And just in time for Summer: Mother's biography is now available in softback at your local bookstore. Go pick up a copy and take Mother along on vacation. The audio versions of both books are also available for those long drives. Have a great summer.
Raymond

While traveling out west a few weeks ago a lady approached me at an event. She told me that there was one line she heard Mother Angelica say that left a deep impression upon her. It was: "Don't let anyone take away your peace. God gives you many beautiful gifts, but perhaps none is as precious, or as beautiful as your peace."

As we approach Mother's day, I am thinking of the amazing way that Mother Angelica has mothered millions around the globe with her wit and compassionate practicality. She teaches us the importance of keeping things in perspective and the value of faithfulness. So this Mother's day I hope you'll give your mother my mother--or at least her "Little Book of Life Lessons."

And some news: "Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons" is now available as an audio book from St. Anthony Messenger and the softback edition of "Mother Angelica," the biography hits bookstores on May 15th from Doubleday. More later. Looking forward to seeing you on the road (check out the events lineup for my latest schedule).
Yours,
Raymond