Catholic Ingredients

Catholic Ingredients is a weekly newslette that aids Catholics hoping to cement their understanding of Church teachings. Project of @ryankbilodeau

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

Religion Meets Technology: Catholic Ingredients theology course comes to a laptop near you #catholicingredients #catholicism https://t.co/JcwdffR5iP

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

What It Really Means to Honor Charlie Kirk Might Not Be What You Think - A Catholic Reflection

When someone we admire dies, our first instinct is usually to ask: How can I carry on their legacy? We look to the causes they championed, the battles they fought, the convictions that animated them. And that impulse is good. Yet the Catholic faith reminds us that death is not merely a pause in someone’s story. It is a passage. It is a transformation. Which means that to speak of “carrying on Charlie’s legacy” requires us to ask a deeper question: Who is Charlie now, in light of eternity?

When my own mother passed away, I found comfort in imagining what she would have wanted me to do in her absence. But Catholic teaching stretches us further: the one we remember is no longer the same as they were. Those who die in God’s grace are not frozen in their earthly struggles or desires. They are purified, healed, and - by God’s mercy - made ready for the fullness of His presence (cf. CCC 1030-1032).

This is why the Church teaches us to pray for the dead. It is one of the greatest acts of love we can offer them: asking that their sins be cleansed, that their time of purification be shortened, that they be welcomed into the beatific vision. To honor Charlie, then, is first to commend his soul to God’s mercy, to pray for his repose, and to trust that the Lord is completing in him the good work already begun.

And if, by that mercy, Charlie now stands in the presence of God, then he is not who he was here. He is perfected. His will is no longer bound by earthly limitations but is conformed entirely to God’s will (cf. CCC 1023). To imagine Charlie’s “legacy” as if he were unchanged is to misunderstand the very promise of heaven.

On earth, Charlie labored tirelessly for freedom of speech, the dignity of the human person, and the defense of truth in the public square. These were noble battles, worth fighting. Yet in heaven those desires are not abandoned - they are fulfilled. He no longer struggles for earthly freedom, but rejoices in the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom 8:21). He no longer contends for truth in debate, but beholds the Truth Himself, who is Christ (Jn 14:6).

So the question before us is not simply, What would Charlie on earth want us to do? The greater question is, What does Charlie, now perfected in God’s presence, desire for us? And the answer is more demanding - and more beautiful. He would want us to live for eternity, not merely for time. He would long for us to seek holiness, not just victories. Above all, he would pray that we too, one day, might join him - God willing - in that place where every true desire is brought to completion in the vision of God.

@MrsErikaKirk @JackPosobiec

#Catholic #CharlieKirk #Purgatory

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

Did you know Groundhog Day has deep Catholic roots tied to the feast of Candlemas? I recently had the pleasure of discussing this fascinating connection with Dr. Marcus Peter on Ave Maria Radio! From the symbolism of light to the spiritual renewal both traditions inspire, it’s a beautiful reminder of how faith and culture intertwine.

This conversation was inspired by my article from @Church_POP: "10 Catholic Things You Didn’t Know About Groundhog Day & Its Hidden Connection to Candlemas" (link below).

Check out the full interview here: https://t.co/tvmPGDSBXQ

Read the original article here: https://t.co/zVgwErkEao

Let me know what you think—what connections between Groundhog Day and Candlemas stand out to you?

#GroundhogDay #Candlemas #CatholicTraditions #FaithAndCulture #AveMariaRadio #ChurchPOP #Catholic

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

I recently wrote for ChurchPop about the surprising connection between Groundhog Day and Candlemas, the Catholic feast celebrating Christ as the Light of the World.

My latest article explores how this quirky weather tradition traces back to European Candlemas folklore, the blessing of candles, and even biblical themes of light vs. darkness.

Read more here: 🔗 https://t.co/zVgwErkEao

Let me know what you think! #Catholic #Candlemas #GroundhogDay #CatholicX #CatholicTwitter

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

I recently had the opportunity to discuss the concept of "cultural Christianity" on EWTN's Ave Maria in the Afternoon. The interview was sparked by my article in @cathexchange where I responded to Elon Musk’s description of himself as a "cultural Christian."

In my conversation with the brilliant Marcus Peter of @AveAfternoon I explored how true Christianity goes beyond moral guidelines to embrace a transformative, grace-filled relationship with God.

You can listen to the interview here: https://t.co/YGFHLgrcCQ

#catholictwitter #catholicx #CatholicChurch #catholic #elonmusk

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

In his recent interview with Dr. Jordan Peterson, @elonmusk described himself as a "cultural Christian," admiring Jesus' teachings while sidestepping religious practice. This reflects a common misunderstanding today: seeing Christianity as just a moral code instead of a transformative relationship with God. Catholic theology is clear: being good isn't just about knowing or believing the right things; it's about receiving God's grace, especially through the sacraments. This grace isn't just a nice add-on but is rater what actually empowers us to live virtuously. While Aristotle taught that knowing the good is essential, Catholicism goes further, teaching that we need divine help to truly embody it. This relationship with God, nurtured through the sacraments, changes us deeply - mind, body, and soul. Musk’s view, like that of many, misses this vital point: Christianity isn't just about ethical actions; it’s about a profound, grace-filled relationship with the divine that goes beyond mere moral behavior.

#catholic #eucharistrevival #catholicchurch #catholicfaith #elonmusk #jordanpeterson #CatholicTwitter #catholicx

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

"They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" - John 12:13

Happy Palm Sunday 🌴

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

Week 1 of Advent is almost upon us. May it be a blessed one for you and yours. #CatholicTwitter

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

Yesterday countless people thanked Tom Brady for bringing them joy on Sundays for 2 decades

In our core we are all religious: we seek rituals that bring us joy

Choose the right religion

Don't be more upset about not seeing TB12 on TV than Jesus at Sunday Mass

#catholictwitter

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

4 days until Christmas! #Advent #CatholicTwitter

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

Happy 4th Sunday of Lent! #catholictwitter #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #catholicchurch

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

.@ryankbilodeau "The cancel culture leaves no room for forgiveness ... when it wages a campaign of annihilation on people via the internet. Redemption for the good thief on the cross is not even a possibility for members of the tribe of cancel culture." - Ryan Bilodeau

[Catholic Ingredients @CatholicIngrdnt]

"People forget that Jesus' imperative to give to God what is God's and to Caesar what is Caesar's includes the hope to which we ascribe each. No politician or political party is our savior." - Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau #catholictwitter

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

What COVID Has Taught Educators in 2020 https://t.co/vPCHsUiAss #catholictwitter #catholic #catholicism #CatholicChurch #catholicedchat #catholicschools @bishopbradyhs @CatholicNH @BostonCathSupt @CathEdToday @SrHelenaBurns @kroro43 @ricatholic @NCEATALK @CathSchoolsNH

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

My piece for Joy in Truth - Cancel Culture Leaves No Room for the Good Thief by Ryan Bilodeau #catholictwitter #christianity #cancelculture #catholic #catholicism https://t.co/47MMCSlp7b

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

I just uploaded “Church Bell Communications | Catholic Marketing Firm” to #Vimeo: https://t.co/5qXn9nCZdg

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

Church Bell Communications provides marketing for Catholic parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic businesses, Catholic authors and more #marketing #catholic #catholictwitter #catholicmarketing https://t.co/9xpBBf2iVa

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

After morning Mass I spotted part of an unconsumed Host lying on the floor of the church. How vulnerable is God in seeking out our love that He comes to us in a form that could be trampled underfoot by those walking by? This reality should bring tears to our eyes #CatholicTwitter

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

As protests sweep the US, recall that the only building defaced or destroyed by Jesus Christ, the most effective activist & political leader of all time, was a figurative one: the temple that was His own body. #CatholicTwitter #Catholicism #ChicagoRiots #BlackLivesMatter #Antifa

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

I have cried tears of joy every day since getting married.

That's because daily monotony becomes romantic adventure when you're doing God's will.

#catholictwitter #catholic

[Ryan Bilodeau @ryankbilodeau]

@BustedHalo - a resource I use so often to teach my theology students - just published my article about preparing for marriage during the time of a pandemic. #catholictwitter #marriage #catholic #CatholicChurch #catholicism #sacraments https://t.co/OzrdcNfhcP