Which of the two forms of the Roman Rite, as Pope Benedict XVI called them, best encourages active participation, is most emotionally satisfying, and unequivocally equips the worshiper with the graces necessary to confront the modern world? Dr. Peter Kwasniewski’s answer may surprise you. In his book Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness: that the Mass of […]
David Perry, the father of a son with Down syndrome, writes, “I’ve spent many years now asserting the need to re-order how we ascribe value to diverse human lives.” St. John Paul II, on the other hand, taught: “Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-9 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 Hearing and Responding to God’s Call to Evangelize Come. (Mark 1:17) Scripture has a way of condensing a lot of information into a few short sentences, and today’s Gospel […]
In my work preparing couples for marriage, I have had to account for the unexpected implosion of a marriage where I was once part of the preparation. Sometimes I hear about the troubles first hand, other times when I see one of them meeting with the Nullity Minister. It saddens me every time when those […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Responsorial: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-103 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20 Gospel: John 1:35-42 The Importance of Learning to hear God’s voice and Saying Yes to Him Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am.” (1 Samuel 3:5) […]
Every person deserves dignity, especially to be recognized as equal creations of God, as we all are. Yet we are created individually and differently, which is a huge part of the challenge presented to us by Jesus in the Second Commandment — to Love our neighbors as ourselves. The only way we are able to […]
Up until now, all has been quite humble. A donkey-ride to a dusty town south of Jerusalem. Hotel rooms all booked up. Giving birth in a stable and laying the baby in a feed trough instead of a cozy cradle. Into this scene of obscure poverty suddenly bursts an exotic entourage from a far-off land. […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 The Epiphany, A Reminder to Join the Lord in Building his Kingdom Arise! Shine, for your light has come. (Isaiah 60:1) What extravagant promises this reading contains! The […]
MANY PEOPLE in the Ukraine are destitute, especially older people and families. The armed conflict taking place in the eastern part of the country also continues to claim victims. The suffering Church receives both pastoral and material aid. Nonetheless, the Church should not get so wrapped up in its charitable commitments that it forgets that […]
The mother of the messiah has been called many things in the last 2000 years –the Virgin Mary, Our Lady, the Blessed Mother. But call her “the Mother of God,” and you’ll see some Christians squirm. This is nothing new. One day in the early fifth century, a priest preached a stirring sermon in the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Becoming Holy Faith-Filled Families, Reflecting God’s Love to One Another The child’s father and mother were amazed. (Luke 2:33) So here we are, on the cusp of a new year. […]
When one looks at the liturgical calendar, one sees a message the Church is attempting to instill within us. Right after we erupt with jubilation over the birth of Christ, we meditate over the first martyr, St. Stephen. He reminds us that this joy has a price, and that price is higher than we could […]
The Classic manger scenes always include cows (or oxen), donkeys (or mules), and sheep. The Egyptian god Apis was a bull who was believed to be a king and who would become a god after his ritual slaughter. The Roman god Consus was a protector of grain, who had an altar underground, and who considered mules […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 2nd Reading: Romans 16:25-27 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Advent: A Time to Thank the Lord for His Unmerited Grace and Favor You have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30) We all know how […]
Padre Pio and an Exorcist Talk About Angels While many of us have felt our angel’s presence at times or at least trust that he’s there, what do all the guardian angels do when people turn from God? Are they still on guard? During an interview with Father Patrick, (not his real name) an exorcist […]
As I age and have more life behind me than in front of me, I find myself in my deepest emotional hurts identifying most intensely with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here is the woman who in her own Earthly life experienced so much suffering through her fiat. God designed woman in a particularly ingenious way […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Responsorial: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 Responding to the Call to Pray without Ceasing Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Without ceasing? That sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Take heart! Paul doesn’t really mean […]
To live the meaning of “prepare.” The meaning of “wait.” A tradition as simple as the lighting of the stately lavender tapers, ring of purples and pink, each boy eagerly anticipating leading the nightly prayer. Or reciting the scripture verse. And do they ever read this verse with care, as their first Advent morning utterances […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial: Psalm 85:9-14 2nd Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Advent, A Time to Open Ourselves to a Deeper Infilling of the Holy Spirit He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) The Holy Spirit—he makes all […]
This title is from the first lines of a poem/prayer I first heard from my Mom as a little boy. This is more an invitation than an article for readers. Please speak your thoughts in comments below about how Mary, today, would teach us how to pray. Imagine if it were possible – Our Lady […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Responsorial: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 Advent, A Season of Hope and Expectation Be watchful! Be alert! (Mark 13:33) It’s the First Sunday of Advent, and you have just received an invitation: […]
In general, people are born into certain groups based on their personal, social, and cultural surroundings. They also voluntarily join groups based on shared occupations, beliefs, or interests. Membership in these groups influences how people think of themselves and how others think of them. (Science for All Americans, pp. 91–93). We do not choose our […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . (Matthew 25:31) Thinking about the Second Coming of Jesus […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 Joining Jesus in Building his Kingdom Here on Earth When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Today’s readings might […]
