Unfortunately, I've been sick with a flu/cold this week, so I'm feeling behind in most areas of life. I was able to get a video published today, so thank God for that. I'd love to see this Locals community be a venue where you guys can share more intimate (and perhaps critical) feedback about the content that I'm producing. YouTube is overwhelming with comments, but this affords us an opportunity to have more productive interactions. At any rate, here's the newest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZogFGJ4K4
We're coming up on the final stretch of Lent and I find myself apprehensive about the shift from fasting to feasting. In practice, I've never been very good at feasting well. Joseph Pieper argues that leisure is our most important activity in life, but it's so hard to live out in a world consumed by work followed by shallow distraction. I'm contemplating retaining some of the things I've given up this Lent as I've seen so much fruit from their exclusion that I'm not really interested in bringing them back. Is anyone else experiencing this suggestion in your spiritual discernment?
In other news, I was able to interview Fr. Robert Spitzer, but we very quickly ran out of time which was a learning experience for me. It feels like every interview I do has some important lesson for me to learn. Hopefully those lessons will be reflected in future interviews. I'm looking forward to publishing it soon. He's remarkably knowledgable, and obviously intelligent.
Lastly, a few pieces that caught my eye this week include an incisive article by Phil Lawler who I almost always entirely agree with. https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/pope-francis-doctor-law/
I've heard lots of people are upset about some website promoting "recovery from traditionalism". It was a reminder of how peaceful life is when you aren't immersed in the controversies of Twitter and elsewhere.
And I'm looking forward to catching this conversation between Jordan Petersen and Bishop Barron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd6iCSQep8E
I pray that as you approach Holy Week, your faith will be strengthened as we immerse ourselves in the Passion of our Lord!
Brian Holdsworth
In military tradition, reinforcements are those called up to support the front-line soldiers. In architecture, reinforcements provide support to a weak area. Today, the Church is struggling to its mission to teach and evangelize. I would never consider myself a first pick to do this work, but desperate time seems to necessitate that people like you and I fill in. Here we can support each other as we aim to renew the Church and evangelize the culture.
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Brian Holdsworth@brianholdsworth
July 15, 2025
Gratitude for Jesuits
I just received this message from a Jesuit priest today:
"Congratulations on your tremendous web apostolate. I often recommend you as a very sane and solid voice, faithful and devout, intelligent and well-spoken. You are helping many to the faith and in the faith."
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Animals without fur
I'm probably over thinking this, but animals without their fur/feathers look really ugly. But we don't for some reason. It's almost like we don't quite fit into the natural world just by looking at us. Like we're aliens in a strange world.
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Hi Brian & Community,
Just wanted to say thank you—your work has really helped me better understand and articulate some of the challenges facing the Church and the world. I especially appreciate your analogies and how you draw from the wellspring of the faith to make your points clear and compelling.
I’ve been following Matt Fradd on Locals for a while and finally made the jump over here, too. I’m a reverted cradle Catholic, husband, and dad of three (5, 2, and 5 months), currently serving in the Marine Corps. I came back to the faith in 2021 after a fellow Marine introduced me to the TLM—reluctantly at first, but it lit a fire in us once we discovered what we’d been missing.
Grateful for your courage and clarity—it’s been a huge help for both me and my wife.
Semper Fidelis,
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Kyle & Samantha Kauffman
Live in 30 minutes - Philosophy Study
In keeping with our last Wednesday of the month schedule, we'll be discussing some more articles in the Summa tonight. Even if you don't do the reading, feel free to sit in and enjoy the conversation. Hope to see you there!
When: 6-8PM ET
Where: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88275345838?pwd=pwRY64G24vD30y8lAtOlaiX4taaAyb.1
Vatican II, the Final Stretch of Lent, and What's Caught My Attention
