Embracing chastity and starting to foster it is not always an easy task. If you come from a Catholic background and you have heard it since you were young then perhaps it’s more simple. It gets complicated when, like St. Augustine, conversion happens as an adult and...
8 Reasons Why #Adulting Is Actually Pretty Awesome!
Millennials! I don’t know about you, but as a young person, all the argument about whether millennials are the most spoilt, snowflake generation yet gets boring after a while. So when my (older) friend shared the “THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS GENERATION!”...
Online Conference: How to Hear God’s Voice? A Practical Guide to Discernment
Knowing that we are called to follow the Will of God and being able to discern His Will is two very different things. Do you ever feel like asking God for a neon sign to guide you in your next step in life? Usually God does not send Neon "go here, do that" signs. So...
See The Passion In These 7 Young Men Who Have Heard “The Call”
Have you ever been on Facebook and suddenly found yourself looking at wedding pictures of someone you've never even met? I'll admit, it's happened to me more than once. There's something about the joy in the life of another that draws us in. We want to see it,...
“The Lighthouse” – A Beautiful Animated Short About Fatherhood
I write this article on the first anniversary of my father´s death and first year in heaven. And it is not presumption or bragging: my father died one Saturday morning, wearing the Scapular of Our Lady of the Mount Carmel and with the final Sacraments administered by...
6 Things That I Learned When I Quit Alcohol For A Year…And Then For Good
Christmas 2016 marked one year without alcohol for me. I still haven't had any alcohol and I still do not intend to ever drink again! Back in 2015, I had long been aware that I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but I was not aware of the depth of my...
The 9 Bible Verses That Will Help You Discern God’s Will For Your Life
The new year is only a few hours away and with it comes the setting of goals and resolution lists. Whether it’s switching jobs, choosing what colleges you want to apply to, deciding if you’re ready to have another baby, or going back to school (among other...
Here’s The Nativity Play That We All Need To See This Christmas
This short video from Speak Life shares a brief but beautiful insight into the life of a mother and her daughter Leeva, who has Down’s syndrome. Leeva is taking part in a Nativity play, and all her cast-mates also have Down’s syndrome. It is explained that the play...
Finding True Happiness Means Moving Beyond Comparison
I dare say every person on earth could be found guilty of comparing themselves to another person out of envy, pride, or mere insecurity. These could be comparisons of physical qualities, family life, level of education, state in life, career path, or even spiritual...
Coping With The Sting Of Death During A Season Of Joy
The death of a loved one leaves an indelible mark upon your heart, and forevermore there is something that you carry around with you; it can feel heavy, or dark, and it’s especially around festive periods that the loss can feel most prevalent. As families come...
This Intricate Animated Video On The Life Of Christ Is Incredibly Beautiful
One solitary life. It was full of failure, and it ended in a premature and shameful death. There were no career accolades, family, or world acclaim. Just a life that was born into an enemy occupation, grew up in a working-class trade, lived at home, and ended with a...
“Believe” – A Movie About Finding Hope When All Seems Lost
This past weekend my family had the opportunity to watch the movie Believe and it was just what we needed to help us get into the true spirit of the Advent season. My oldest three boys (ages 11, 10, and 7) had a lot to say about the movie and the message that is...
The Tragic Chapecoense Plane Crash Reminds Us That Life Can Be Taken In An Instant
Full disclosure – I am not Brazilian. I’m only just starting to appreciate soccer, so I can’t really call myself a fan. I had never heard of the Chapecoense team before I woke up on Tuesday morning and read an article in Portuguese saying that a plane carrying them...
The Cubs Taught Us All A Lesson About Hope
“There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1 For the Chicago Cubs, it is the season for rejoicing. A historical moment occurred as the World Series entered the 10th inning of the deciding game that began on November 2, 2016....
The Beauty Of Life And Death Is So Much More Than “Live. Love. Laugh.”
“Live. Love. Laugh.” It’s a slogan that’s typically found on at least one wall in every home. And why not! I’m not going to deny that it’s a genuinely beautiful message; an ode to the goodness of life and of our existence with others. To the way that we should live...
The Top 35 Catholic Christmas Gifts
This time of year is when many people start frantically searching for the perfect gift for every person on their list. It can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and draining. Many times we lose the joy and peace that comes with Christmas because we are so worried about...
5 Reasons Why I Used To Hate Advent And Why I Don’t Now
Growing up Catholic, Advent was always strictly observed in our home. We never skipped over it to start Christmas early. Though I had a good idea of the purpose of Advent- it being a time of preparation and prayer- I made my way though it grimly. I understood the head...
7 Ways To Fit In Prayer While Traveling
Traveling is a beautiful way to encounter other people and other cultures, and to be inspired by what you find and, even more so, by those whom you meet. When you make the decision to travel, make it with God, because when you allow Him to work through you and guide...
If You Hadn’t Noticed, We’ve Just Had a Year of Mercy!
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve just had a Year of Mercy! It ends pretty soon, on November 20th. Maybe, like me, you start out on these extraordinary years full of interest and hope and enthusiasm, and get to the end a little worn out with the repetition of it and...
These Two Men Decided To Workout With Prisoners For A Week
One of the most striking scenes in the movie Courageous is when a police officer visits a young man in prison. This young man formerly flirted with the officer’s daughter and was arrested for involvement with violent drug dealers. The officer wasn’t there to scold or...
5 Things An Ancient Japanese Art Taught Me About Healing
Ever since I first heard about kintsugi a few years ago, it has been one of my favorite motifs for understanding healing and redemption. As is explained in this video, kintsugi is the is an ancient Japanese art of repair. Think of a cracked vase. Rather than throwing...
These 7 Saints Will Help You In Your Battle Against Porn
If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to pornography, know that you are not alone. The porn industry in the United States brings in more than 13 billion dollars each year. If you think Christians are immune to this epidemic, you're wrong....
Priesthood Sunday: A day to promote vocations and honor those who have responded to the call
In the United States, on Sunday, October 28th, we celebrate Priesthood Sunday. Hopefully, your parish has something planned that will raise awareness of vocations to the priesthood. It is important for young people to begin to open their minds and hearts to the...
Struggling to Pray? Confused? Anxious? These 3 Prayers Will Help
I don’t know about you, but when I’m in a place of pain or distress, my prayer life can go one of two ways. Either I can feel closer to God, and prayer comes more easily, or my prayer life dries up and any kind of communication with God feels impossible. It is in...
5 Simple Things You Can Start Doing Now To Improve Your Bible Reading
I enjoy reading good books. When I buy a book that someone has recommended to me, I can’t wait for it to arrive and then to read it straight through to the end! But I must confess to owning a book which has been recommended to me by many people who I greatly admire,...