(Special Thanks to Adoremus and Dr. Denis McNamara) The heavy lifting and much of the inspiration for this article is offered by Dr. Denis McNamara’s fantastic article “Altar as Alter Christus: Ontology and Sacramentality” from Adoremus. The Church is deeply indebted...
Incense – A Long History Incense has been used in sacred worship for over five thousand years. Long before Christian worship began burning fragrant aromas in liturgy, the Egyptians began using incense in a religious way during the Fifth Dynasty, between 2494 and 2345...
Irenaeus was a 2nd-century bishop of Lyons in modern-day France. He knew Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John. He, therefore, serves as a significant witness to the early Church’s development, especially as it was consolidating itself against divergent...
Recently I read an account of a martyr who was not an ordained religious. The author began the reflection by saying that this saint helps us to keep in mind that sainthood is possible in all states of life. While this statement is true and supplies hope and...
Pentecost brought the Holy Spirit to the Church. This Pentecost, let’s talk a little about the Holy Spirit! If you are looking for resources and ways to grow your relationship and understanding of the Holy Spirit, we have four great videos for you! 4 Unique Videos...
The Sacrament of Confession has been expressed in various ways over the centuries. When Catholics say that Confession was instituted by Christ—as all the sacraments were—they ultimately mean that the “ministry of reconciliation” has been entrusted to the Church such...
Catholic social teaching is rightly called “social” because it pertains to how we organize ourselves as a society. Rather, I should say as individual societies that are gathered up into one human family.
5ks may be all the rave, but would you walk 75 miles? In Europe, through mountains? On something called The Way of St. James? El Camino de Santiago is a 75-mile walking pilgrimage from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela (St. James of the Field of Stars). ...
The Virgin Mary, who - at the message of the angel - received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave life to the world, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of...
Did you know that each month has a traditional Catholic devotion? This year, let’s focus on each devotion month-by-month to grow in our faith and traditions! Make yourself notes, write them on your calendar, and pray a specific prayer each day of the month to...
The First Two Ecumenical Councils In this short article, we are going to look at a complicated and intricate controversy in the early Church pertaining to the nature of Christ Himself. First, we have to set the scene. In the year 381 AD, the Emperor Theodosius I...
St. Francis Xavier, the missionary apostle who is the vanguard of the Church's worldwide missionary outreach, served in a long tradition in the Church that reaches to present days. The Arm Of St. Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7YjkGMGI-Q But Where Is...
The Sign of the Cross is the most common Catholic prayer. We use it at the beginning and end of prayers, in the Mass, when we pass by a Church, cemetery, or abortion clinic, and when we hear an emergency vehicle siren. But do we know that it is a prayer itself? Or...
Join Fr. Elliott for this week’s episode of Ask a Priest. You'll learn more about: Pope Francis' recent comments about Civil UnionsBishops - what they wear, blessings, and more!Cardinals - what do they do and why *typically* bishops are appointed to this position. Do...
"The salvation of the whole world began with the Hail Mary. Hence, the salvation of each person is also attached to this prayer." - St Louis de Montfort In this greeting by Angel Gabriel, the world changed. God invited humanity to receive Jesus. That’s why it is so...
Teresa was born on March 28, 1515 and died on October 4, 1582. St. Teresa of Avila was born into the age of exploration in Spain, just two decades after Christopher Columbus opened exploration for Europe in the Americas. At the time, everything was in flux: politics,...
October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Yearly it serves as a challenge and reminder to me to pray the Rosary, to use it as a weapon, and to foster it within my family culture. Hopefully, this article and video inspire you to start or rekindle the Rosary into your...
Who is St. Gregory the Great? Gregory was the son of a wealthy Sicilian who owned large estates in Sicily and a mansion in Rome. It is reported that Gregory was the best student of grammar, logic, and dialectic in the city of Rome and also did a course in legal...
If you have not read part 1, please read that first for the appropriate context: https://catholic-link.org/catholics-statues-icon/ Thought, Word, and Spirit The Catholic sees the world as more than merely natural. There is far more that is hidden from our view than we...
Increased attacks on Catholic churches in Europe, the US, and South America; growing political tensions; and abortion still considered healthcare are enough to prove the spiritual battle is intensifying. And, when you add on a growing pandemic and horrific accidents...
In this two part series we will explore 1) Icons and Statues in the Catholic Worldview and 2) Images and Statues in Secular Culture Forbidden Images The First Commandment expressly forbids the worship of anyone and anything other than God. “I am the Lord your God, who...
The Holy Rosary The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most popular devotions of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. The image of the Rosary is inseparable from the Roman Catholic Church. Certainly, there are countless devotions in honor of the...
In July of 1968, fifty years ago, Pope Paul VI issued his watershed encyclical condemning birth control, Humanae Vitae. Its central premise speaks, authoritatively, the beautiful truth that sexual act reaches its fullness when it fosters conjugal intimacy, is open to...
St. Bernardine – A St. Paul of the 15th Century St. Bernardine was from Siena, Italy and was ordained a Franciscan priest at the age of 24 in the year 1402. He took upon himself the poverty of the Franciscan Order and expressed an acute awareness for the needs of...
The Veil Removed, produced by Greg Krajewski and RD Delgado, powerfully shows what happens during each and every Mass that takes place in Catholic Churches across the world. Take 5 minutes out of your day and watch this short video. You will never look at Mass the...