For the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, the Feast of the Epiphany, January 14, January 21, and January 28 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God – January 1, 2024 Readings: Nm 6:22–27 • Ps 67:2–3, 5, 6, 8 • Gal 4:4–7 • … [Read more...]
Archives for 2023
Embodiment and Integral Witness
Pope Francis’ Early Teaching on Catechesis
December 29, 2023 by John Hartley
As a bishop, Jorge Bergoglio communicated profound truth in a simple manner. In words as in deeds he embodied the goal of total identification: “My people are poor and I am one of them” was a plain fact that undergirded his episcopal min … [Read more...]
What Eye Has Not Seen: A Vision of Catholic Education
December 29, 2023 by Matthew Malicki
St. James sent a strong message and warning to the Christians of his time when he advised them, “Let not many among you become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly [than those who a … [Read more...]
Resurrecting Catholic Schools
December 29, 2023 by E. Tyler Graham
In his unforgettable book Out of the Ashes: Rebuilding American Culture, Anthony Esolen, with his typical elegance of prose, articulates the dissipation of American culture along with a clarion call to rebuild it. At a key moment in his … [Read more...]
Priests’ Perspectives on American Catholic School Identity
December 29, 2023 by Fr. Charez Gringco
Introduction Catholic education is one of the great contributions of the Catholic Church to the United States. From the early Franciscan missionaries who built faith communities in the new world to the new religious orders, Catholic … [Read more...]
Upbuild, Encourage, and Console: On Becoming a More Prophetic Church
December 29, 2023 by Peter McGregor
I have a personal motto, one that unfortunately I don’t always follow: don’t read the comments! I am referring to the comments that often accompany posts on Facebook, or blogs, or other social media. My reason for avoiding them is to avoid t … [Read more...]
Reading as an Act of Homage
December 29, 2023 by Dr. Donald Graham
Can reading be considered as “an act of homage”? At first blush, this seems a strange question. We regularly read for the sake of leisure and learning, but aside from overtly religious pursuits — such as Lectio Divina, proclamation of the Wo … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – January 2024
December 29, 2023 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Examination of Conscience: Permissiveness vs. Scrupulosity Question: I was recently reading an examination of conscience for confession and it struck me that I must be guilty of every sin (at least as either mortal or venial). I asked the … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – January 2024
December 29, 2023 by Book Reviews
Ecclesial Exegesis: A Synthesis of Ancient and Modern Approaches to Scripture. By Gregory Vall. Reviewed by D. Malachi Walker. (skip to review) God’s Call is Everywhere: A Global Analysis of Contemporary Religious Vocations for Women. By … [Read more...]
Homilies for December 2023
November 24, 2023 by Fr. Timothy Eck
For the First Sunday, Second Sunday, Third Sunday, and Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity of the Lord (the Vigil and the Day), and the Feast of the Holy Family First Sunday of Advent – D … [Read more...]
Military Zeal in the Priesthood
What Priests Can Learn from the Ukrainian Military
November 24, 2023 by Fr. Shane Deman
The United States military is not tactically nor morally perfect. Yet it is rightly known to be one of the strongest forces in the world. Its ability to respond to global threats within hours and display impressive power makes it ready to … [Read more...]
Russia and Peace
November 24, 2023 by Rev. Thomas G. Morrow
Russia has started a war against Ukraine. China appears to be posturing to attack Taiwan. North Korea is threatening South Korea and the United States with nuclear weapons. Iran is striving to attain nuclear weapons. And there is a war … [Read more...]
Theology of Suffering and the New Evangelization
November 24, 2023 by Cole DeSantis
In August of 2022, Bishop Robert Barron took part in an interview with the actor Shia LaBeouf to discuss his conversion to the Catholic faith. LaBeouf’s conversion was influenced in part by his being cast to portray Padre Pio in a movie by A … [Read more...]
The Ineffability of the Mystical Body of Christ
November 24, 2023 by Carolyn Humphreys, OCDS
The Church was established by Christ as an extension and continuation of his incarnation and his mission. Just as a natural body is formed of different organs and systems, each with their own function, so is the Church bound together by a … [Read more...]
Advent and Eschaton
November 24, 2023 by Philip Primeau
Advent is profoundly eschatological, a reality that grows more apparent as the season reaches its climax. In these days, Holy Mother Church considers Jesus Christ as the Approaching One, who brings into the middle of time not only the … [Read more...]
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