Padre Peregrino – Theology from a wandering priest

10 11, 2026

Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?
Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?

Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic?

By Father David Nix|2026-11-07T13:43:36+00:00November 10th, 2026|Theology|

Pope Benedict XVI made an unusual change to the dividing-line between Catholics and ex-Catholics in 2006. Many neo-con non-trad Catholics will frequently hear a family member or co-worker say something like, “I’m an ex-Catholic.” Then, the lukewarm Catholic smiles back and says, “Once Catholic, always Catholic.” What they actually mean is: “You really have not left the Catholic Church, even if you think you have.” To be sure, it’s a nice idea to say “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic,” but it’s false according to classic Catholic dogma. The fact is that the Catholic Church has always taught that an ex-Catholic maintains the character of baptism, but not the grace [...]

5 11, 2026

Cardinal Bernardin’s Victim Speaks Out.
Cardinal Bernardin’s Victim Speaks Out.

Cardinal Bernardin’s Victim Speaks Out.

By Father David Nix|2026-11-05T21:11:48+00:00November 5th, 2026|Theology|

Last week I (Fr. David Nix) had a four hour dinner with Bernardin's victim and her husband. She is now 80 years old. The Satanic Ritual Abuse happened to her about 70 years ago by Fr. Joseph Bernardin (later Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, top-left.) The abuse happened at St. Mary's Church in Greenville, SC (top-right.) My mother is from Chicago (and my father is from West of Chicago) so I grew up hearing from extended family that one day Cardinal Bernardin would be canonized. Much in my life has changed since then. Another thing that has changed is Rome's recent attempt to rehabilitate the reputation of Bernardin. Keep in mind [...]

3 11, 2026

The Pre-1955 Lifestyle.
The Pre-1955 Lifestyle.

The Pre-1955 Lifestyle.

By Father David Nix|2026-11-03T16:22:46+00:00November 3rd, 2026|Theology|

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.—2 Thess 2:14. As most of you know, I have been a priest for sixteen years. Ten years ago, I switched from the 1969 calendar and the Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) to the 1962 calendar and the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) as well as the other six sacraments of the ancient Roman Rite. Then, about seven years ago, I heard a traditional religious brother talking about the pre-1955 calendar. I rolled my eyes thinking, "Nothing is good enough for these traditionalists!" Why in the world would one rad-trad with a 1954 [...]

17 09, 2026

From One Bishop to Another.
From One Bishop to Another.

From One Bishop to Another.

By Father David Nix|2026-09-17T11:35:24+00:00September 17th, 2026|Theology|

p/c Pietro Torrigiano, John Fisher as a Young Man, Wikipedia. This is a letter I composed from one real bishop to another—the Bishop of Durham to St. John Fisher of England—but fictionally, some time in the 16th century. Your Lordship Bishop John Fisher, I greet you in the name of God, the most Blessed Trinity. And I, Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall, the Bishop of Durham, have been asked by Our Lord and King in his great mercy to grant you one last chance for you to re-consider your way of thinking, nay, for you to fall in line with the guidance of God under every bishop in England, except yourself. As [...]

15 09, 2026

A Niece’s Letter From Jerusalem.
A Niece’s Letter From Jerusalem.

A Niece’s Letter From Jerusalem.

By Father David Nix|2026-09-15T19:33:18+00:00September 15th, 2026|Theology|

This is a fictional letter I imagined from niece to uncle somewhere around the Mediterranean in the first century. My dearest beloved Uncle John, I write you in the love of God who is One, and our family who misses you greatly. At least, most of the family misses you. As you know, it has been four years since I have seen you. My mother (your beloved sister) tells me you are living across the Great Sea with the mother of the rabbi. But there are also horrible rumors you have been taken prisoner to a strange island of the Hellenists. If this rumor is true, who is taking care [...]

10 09, 2026

Five Things Catholics Missed in the Clancy Trial.
Five Things Catholics Missed in the Clancy Trial.

Five Things Catholics Missed in the Clancy Trial.

By Father David Nix|2026-09-10T10:01:56+00:00September 10th, 2026|Theology|

p/c Greg Derr, AP and Patriot Ledger. Politics and law are downstream of theology and philosophy. For better or for worse. It is currently September 2026 and the Lindsay Clancy trial was just declared a “mistrial.” As you probably know, in 2023, Clancy killed her three children, aged 5 years old, three years old and eight months old. That mother strangled her three children in Massachusetts, and she did it on purpose while her husband was running errands for her. She and her husband were apparently baptized Catholics. The trial has obviously entered the national spotlight due to the gruesomeness of the crime, the hung jury (one lone male standing [...]

8 09, 2026

Letter from a Catholic Mother About the TLM.
Letter from a Catholic Mother About the TLM.

Letter from a Catholic Mother About the TLM.

By Father David Nix|2026-09-13T14:54:03+00:00September 8th, 2026|Theology|

p/c Álex Zea, Europa Press, Andalusia, Spain. Below is a letter I received from a mother of a large family. She and her husband gave me permission to publish it. I am keeping them anonymous, as well as their bishop and diocese. The TLM community in my diocese is suffering greatly. We are still mourning the loss of our Latin Mass; that school of holiness, valor, beauty, and love. It was our identity; the light of our families and the means of constant conversion in which we were all deeply happy and experienced such sweet holiness. Totally erased in the blink of an eye. It has been viciously torn away [...]

3 09, 2026

The City on a Hill Is Countercultural.
The City on a Hill Is Countercultural.

The City on a Hill Is Countercultural.

By Father David Nix|2026-09-01T23:35:18+00:00September 3rd, 2026|Theology|

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Our Lord Jesus Christ in Saint Matthew 5:14-16. Young Christians today claim they want an “aura” that “goes hard.” That’s good, but then why do boomer Catholic influencers still insist on being relevant? Older Catholic influencers may claim their “humanity is a [...]

27 08, 2026

Race Relations Part 2: The Church.
Race Relations Part 2: The Church.

Race Relations Part 2: The Church.

By Father David Nix|2026-08-27T12:34:04+00:00August 27th, 2026|Theology|

p/c NYT. Middle-Eastern military-aged men entering Spain. In part 1, Race Relations Part 1: The State, we discussed "dialectical racism" at the level of the State, namely, the deceit of modern Marxists to overturn Western civilization under the pretext of being "non-racists." Today, we will see how something similar happens within (or rather, against) the true Catholic Church. Neo-modernists often cloak their heresy of religious indifferentism (the error that all religions lead to heaven) under a fake missionary spirit so as to remain immune from criticism from the right. Section A will be The Problem and Section B will be The Solution. At the risk of being self-centered, I am [...]

25 08, 2026

Race Relations Part 1: The State.
Race Relations Part 1: The State.

Race Relations Part 1: The State.

By Father David Nix|2026-08-25T13:12:25+00:00August 25th, 2026|Theology|

It's not 'reverse racism.' It's just racism. If it didn’t take the Holy Name of Jesus in vain, I would say that Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino would be one of my top ten favorite movies. The main character, Walt Kowalski is played by Eastwood in that 2008 flick (see picture above.) Walt is a grumpy old white man disgusted by the shallowness and selfishness of his children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, he has good friends of many different races to whom he shows affection by endless racial slurs against them. They happily return the favor with insults to him. Real men often show affection by ripping on each other. Spoiler alert: [...]