What is Desiderio desideravi? Desiderio desideravi, the title of Pope Francis’ 2022 document on the Sacred Liturgy, comes from the Latin version of Luke 22:15: “I have earnestly desired (desiderio desideravi) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Pope...
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...
“If Families Aren’t Going To Mass, Your Catholic School Is Failing.”
This is an alarming statement – adding another level of responsibility on schools, especially in today’s society. But Catholic schools can and should influence Mass attendance! As we know today, many Catholic school students aren’t experiencing the Church as a family...
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...
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...
No Drums? No Guitars? Why The Organ Is The Catholic Church’s Favorite
Tra Le Sollecitudini – “Among the cares” In November 1903, Pope St. Pius X issued the Motu Proprio “Tra Le Sollecitudini” which is Italian for “Among the cares.” It is worth reexamining this excellent writing to glean from it the wisdom which endures. Of course,...
5 Ways To Elevate Your Experience Of The Liturgy
Elevating Your Experience Of The Liturgy After more than a year of dispensations from attending the Mass, Catholics around the world are taking a look at the liturgy with fresh eyes. As the saying goes “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” For a few, the pandemic may...
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...
Is It True That Pope Francis Is Restricting The Traditional Latin Mass?
Traditionis Custodes Early on July 16, 2021, Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio entitled Traditionis Custodes which sent shockwaves through the Catholic world, especially in more traditionalist circles. For a brief first look at what the document says,...
Breaking Open the Pope’s New Motu Proprio – Traditionis Custodes
Pope Francis released a motu proprio on Friday, July 16, 2021, entitled Traditionis Custodes (“Guardians of Tradition”). This document will almost certainly be interpreted differently depending on the perspective of the reader. Those who currently and regularly attend...
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...
Discovering The Eucharist On Every Page Of The Bible
“Parousia: The Bible and the Mass” We are proud to share with you a phenomenal Bible study series at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology called “Parousia: The Bible and the Mass” hosted by Dr. Scott Hahn. Beautifully presented, impeccably edited, with masterful...
Welcoming Them Home: 7 Tips For Churches To Reengage Parishioners
I remember the first Mass I attended after COVID-19 caused lockdowns countrywide and cut off access to the sacraments. I hadn’t been to Mass in more than two months, and I craved the Eucharist more than anything else I’d lost during the pandemic. The Mass was going to...
Church Was Boring…Until I Discovered These Four Things
I’m just not getting anything out of it! is a common cry for many who find church boring. For many raised Catholic, feelings of “not being fed” cause some to leave church altogether or at least find another Christian experience. Many go for churches that emphasize...
Why We All Need St. Jude Right Now
Who Was St. Jude? Judas Thaddeus is often known in Greek as simply “Thaddeus” because this is the name used in the Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Mark. When translators were putting the books of the Bible into English, they sought to distant this Apostle we...
7 Ways To Give Thanks After An Answered Prayer
There are wonderful times in our lives when God answers a prayer. Maybe it is something we have been praying for years; maybe it is something we never thought would be answered. Maybe the answer was beyond our wildest dreams, better than we ever could have imagined....
Our 10 Favorite Catholic Masks
In many parts of the world, if you want to go to Mass you have to wear a mask. In my opinion, it's a small price to pay for the opportunity to worship the Creator of the Universe and receive Holy Communion. It might not always be comfortable, but we can be stylish and...
Mass Is Always Crowded On Sunday…Here’s Why
What Is A Priest? The popular definition of a priest is given as an ordained person with the authority to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments. Properly speaking, however, a priest is one who offers sacrifice. This is what a priest is. This is what...
Plenary Indulgence Offered For Quarantined: Here’s How To Get It
"Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful affected by Coronavirus, subjected to quarantine for the disposition of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a soul detached from any sin, they spiritually unite through the media to...
Free Lent Resources To Help You Grow Closer To Christ
Many of us are living a Lent we never expected. Let's take this gift of time and use it to grow in holiness. There is so much we can do to continue our journey to Easter! We've created a list of free resources to help you with your quarantined Lenten adventure....
Does It Matter What Liturgical Ministers Wear To Mass?
<< This article is the sequel to Does It Matter What You Wear To Mass >> Serving on Sunday If you are involved in a liturgical ministry of any kind on Sunday, thank you for your service to Christ and His Church! Your efforts are appreciated. There are many...
7 Free Resources To Help Kids Understand The Gospel
Ever go to Mass and walk away totally confused? It happens sometimes. There are Sundays when we just don't understand the point the readings are trying to illustrate or when the priest gives a homily that is difficult to follow. If this is a struggle for us as adults,...
Mass Will Never Be The Same After You See This
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...
Does It Matter What You Wear To Mass?
Dress to Impress For Catholic Mass? I want to make something clear from the outset. This article is NOT about dressing to impress on Sundays. The Church is not about fashion; though, there are many beautiful chasubles, habits, stoles, and the like in the Church’s two...
Want To Request A Mass? Here’s How
Throughout the month of November, we look for ways to honor our deceased family members and friends. One of the best ways to do this is to have a mass offered on their behalf. Why have a Mass offered? Simply put, it's the greatest form of prayer we have available to...