There has been a longstanding pious tradition in the Church that St. Joseph was assumed body and soul into heaven. This was the teaching of eminent theologians and members of the hierarchy, such as the Doctors of the Church, St. Augustine … [Read more...]
Who Were the Magi,
and Why Were They Wise?
“Where is the newborn King?” the Magi from the East asked the people of Jerusalem. “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:1–12). The Magi followed the star to the newborn King and then, having been warned in a d … [Read more...]
A Silence about Mary
Mary is very central to the Gospel’s infancy narratives, but after Cana she almost disappears: we see her in the “Who are my mother and my brothers and my sisters?” passage, at the foot of the cross, and as being present at the Pentecost eve … [Read more...]
The Virgin Birth, Perpetual Virginity, and NFP
...we need to look back at the reign of Joseph’s direct ancestor, the great King David ... (which) will help us understand that Mary was ... the lifelong Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and that Joseph was her protector, but not her sexual p … [Read more...]
A Luminous Point for the New Evangelization
She is the singular star that draws us into the will of the Father by reminding us to “do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:10). Star and Sure Guide At the close of his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Beginning of the New Mi … [Read more...]
1 Kings 13 and the Child of Isaiah 7: Precedence and the Numerology of Matthew’s Gospel
...(Pope Benedict's) last book, and his announcement of his retirement, were an affirmation of the Virgin Mary’s predestination, and her child’s virginal conception at the Annunciation. ... Pope Benedict had great trust in the continued mate … [Read more...]