“Yes, now’s the moment; I’m looking at this thing on the mantlepiece, and I understand that I am in hell.”— Jean-Paul Sartre, No Exit, 1944 As most theologians point out, once we lose belief in God, it’s a short leap to the belief that there is no moral absolute, no...
What Every Catholic Needs To Know About The Early Heresies
Anyone who wants to go deeper into their Christian faith will eventually come around to seeing the importance of the early Church, and those early Christian bishops, theologians, and catechists we call the Church fathers. When we say, “the early Church,” we’re talking...
The Saints Show Us How Stewardship Starts With Wonder
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...
Why It’s Important To Celebrate Easter EVERY Sunday Of The Year
The Sabbath Day Sunday, the seventh day of the week is the sabbath, a day of solemn rest, that is set aside for the Lord. This goes all the way back to the dawn of creation when God made everything in six days and then rested on the seventh. The Sabbath day also marks...
Why Every Friday Is Like A Mini Good Friday
What is Good Friday? Good Friday is the second day of the Sacred Triduum, in between Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil. Good Friday is the commemoration of the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. It is always three days before Easter, which marks...
Tithing: How Much Are We Called To Give The Church?
Giving to the Church There is one topic that no one wants to hear about in church: money. From my experience speaking to priests, they do not want to talk about it either. Ideally, the Parish would have enough money to cover expenses, expand programs, and provide for...
What In The World Is Candlemas?
Candlemas Day Candlemas is the colloquial name for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which is celebrated on February 2. In the new calendar (1970), the Christmas season ends with the Baptism of the Lord in early January. However, traditionally, Candlemas was...
Why Do Catholics Light Candles?
Candles are Practical The word candle comes from the Latin “to burn.” Candles have been used since human beings have been able to start fire. Rudimentary wicks were encased in wax or animal fat and burned for light in the dark hours of the day. Oil candles were also...
The Special Virtue Of Thankfulness
The Virtue of Thankfulness: Simply Justice or Piety? The act of gratitude or being thankful is something which is seen as important both in the Church and in the broader human family. Gratitude is universally important for human relationships to flourish. Who wants to...
Why Do We Sing At Mass?
Love and Song Over fifty percent of popular songs are about love, whether in the classical era or today. Paul McCartney’s song Silly Love Songs makes this observation when he says, “You’d think that people would’ve had enough of...
What Is Sin And What Are Its Effects?
Called to Conversion We are all called to conversion. This was a fundamental part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God and the Gospel. The first call to Christ and His Gospel leads us to Baptism in which we receive “the...
What Is The Second Vatican Council? And, Why Did It Create Controversy?
A New Ecumenical Council On January 25, 1959, Pope St. John XXIII took the world by surprise by calling a new ecumenical council of the universal Church. We now know this council as the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), so called because it was held in Vatican...
October Is Devoted To The Holy Rosary | Mark Your Calendar!
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 it on your calendar, and pray a specific prayer each day of the month to remember....
A List Of Sacramentals To Use
What are Sacramentals? "Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church....
Genuflect Or Bow? When, Where, And Why This Is Part Of The Catholic Faith!
(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...
So Much More Than Just Smoke: What Is The Importance Of Using Incense In The Catholic Church?
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...
Can St. Irenaeus Prove That The Catholic Church Was The Original Church?
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...
Can Married People Become Saints?
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...
4 Unique Videos About The Holy Spirit
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...
Confession: Ancient, Apostolic, And Thoroughly Christian
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...
Seven Things To Know About The Seven Themes Of Catholic Social Teaching
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.
El Camino de Santiago: What Is It And Why Is It Important?
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). ...
11 Times Mary’s Apparitions Proved Her Love For All People, All Cultures, All Races
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...
April Is Devoted To The Blessed Sacrament And The Holy Spirit – Mark Your Calendar!
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...
St. Cyril And His Battle Against The Christological Controversies
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...