“What was wonderful about childhood is that anything in it is a wonder.” - G. K. Chesterton As a child, I remember exploring in the woods for hours with my cousins, playing in the creek and climbing trees. I would get lost in my imagination and in the beauty of it...
“To create ties.” This, according to the fox in the French novella, The Little Prince, is the meaning of the word tamed. When consulting my dictionary app, I found no definition that quite matched the fox’s, but for the purposes of this reflection, it’s the one I’m...
These Catholic books make great gifts, but you should also add them to your own list of Catholic books to read. Don't forget to enter to WIN ALL of these incredible Catholic books. Catholic Books To Read Promo code: LINK22 for 25 percent off anything at...
“Well, the children have always come first” is a remark that echoes in the offices of too many marriage therapists. Imagine if their wedding vows had been, “I, John, take you, Jane, to be my beloved wife. I promise to stand by idly, but with deep emotional pain...
Jesus calls his disciples to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” in order to attain salvation in the kingdom of God (see Mk 1:15). But what is repentance (metanoia in Greek) and why is it necessary for salvation? These questions lead us to the very heart of the...
Children’s Literature is my preferred reading diet. It is no easy task to keep a child engaged. Their minds wander easily. They can see through facades of boorishness and sermonizing. But every now and then, an author crafts a tale that is the perfect blend of drama,...
Minimalism, simplifying, and small living are popular trends today. But for Catholics, the underlying spiritual realities are truly profound. And, who better to guide us in everything small and simple, but The Little Flower, Saint Therese herself? Did you know that...
I once received a message from a brother priest I had never met but who followed me on social media. He told me that he was in- interested in incorporating Mary more into his priestly ministry and asked for a recommendation. I recommended Fr. Emile Neubert’s Mary and...
As she traveled through life with her wayward son Augustine in the 4th Century, St. Monica came upon many road signs pointing the way forward. Eventually, she came to a crossroad and needed heaven’s help to decide her next move. That turn of direction eventually...
Let us first look at scripture, the place a Christian must start. In the Old Testament we find “Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or...
What is the Roman Missal? The Roman Missal is (mostly) the big red book that the priest uses at the altar and at his chair when celebrating Mass. I say “mostly” because the Lectionary (which contains the readings) and the liturgical books containing the rites for the...
If you could ask a few male saints how they were raised, what do you think they would say? Certainty, every Catholic father wants to raise a saint, but not every father is willing to make the sacrifice or knows where to start. The Father Of St. Thomas More Let’s...
Many mothers find that personal reading is a luxury that has been sacrificed in the name of family life. In fact, the number one reason women give for not reading is lack of time. Although we know the value of reading and believe in it, we are busy women, doing...
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to sacred art. I used to buy books as a kid about the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo. Ironically, I had no idea of their Catholic ties, nor would the term “sacred art” have been in my vocabulary. I was simply mesmerized...
Though she was physically short in stature, St. Catherine of Siena was a spiritual giant among the giants. She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461, only eighty-one years after her death. In 1866, she was declared a patron saint of Rome, and in 1939, co-patron saint...
I am impressed every time my child spots a dandelion and plucks it as if something truly magnificent has captured his attention. This kind of wonder seems to fade as we get older. So I have always been interested in how the saints were able to not just maintain this...
The virtue of charity is our union with God. The Council of Trent declared that we maintain the virtues of faith and hope after we commit a mortal sin, both of which encourage us to seek out the sacrament of confession. But the Catechism of the Council of...
So…why should you consecrate your family to St. Joseph? 3 Reasons You Should Consecrate Your Family to St. Joseph There is a battle waging against your family “The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family.” —Sister...
Would you describe yourself as perfectly happy? Perhaps you’d say you are somewhat happy or happy enough, but not especially so. We often get the general impression that lasting happiness is far-off, practically impossible, not to be hoped for in this life. When we...
This Lent move beyond attending fish frys, making tuna fish casserole, and ordering cheese pizza! We have some Lent recipes to help you maintain your energy levels while you fast. Before you head to the kitchen, spend time reflecting on these insightful words about...
BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTA B L E T I M E ; B E H O L D , N O W I S THE DAY OF SALVATION.2 CORINTHIANS 6:2 We have all had the experience of knowing that we need to do something about a situation and yet putting it off until another day. It’s incredible to witness the...
A cold coming we had of it,Just the worst time of the yearFor a journey, and such a long journey:The ways deep and the weather sharp,The very dead of winter.'And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory,Lying down in the melting snow.There were times we regrettedThe...
The Christmas season can be a tough time of year for Catholic parents. It's difficult to avoid the materialism and consumerism that surrounds this holiday. If you're looking to keep the focus on Christ, consider buying Catholic gifts for your child. The gifts on our...
I’m somewhat ashamed to say, this story didn’t happen until I was about halfway through seminary: It was my first Christmas in Italy. After three years in the seminary in the United States, I had been sent to the North American College Seminary in Rome for the last...
On a December afternoon I watched one-year-old grandson Ronan-the-Barbarian crawl around the Christmas tree. He would stop, reach out his arm and dip his fist into the water in the tree stand. And then he would bless himself, tap, tap, tap in his baby way. At his eye...