As long as we are faithful to prayer, we maintain a clarity of vision that promotes higher ideals and elevated standards of conduct. ... The more we pray, the more its fruits nourish our daily lives. John Chrysostom once wrote: … [Read more...]
Articles
Spirituality for Widows
June 10, 2013 By 6 Comments
In the New Testament, widows flourish in their ministry as they draw close to Christ and to Christ’s people. They are free to follow the Crucified One ... Concerning widows in the early Church ... some of them constituted the first form … [Read more...]
Holy Communion: Sharing in the Threefold Munus of the Divine Gladiator
June 7, 2013 By 2 Comments
The Church early on espoused munus to designate the triple character or office of the God-Man, Jesus Christ: he is at the same time Priest, Prophet and King or Shepherd. Gladiators fighting to the death; Christ's glorious … [Read more...]
Vocation for the Wives of Ordained Permanent Deacons
June 6, 2013 By 7 Comments
Women who pray for the Church, and who are spouses of permanent deacons (or those in formation), are undoubtedly responding to a unique grace of personal mission that comes to them as a result of their baptism. I was at a retreat in … [Read more...]
Discernment and Communion
June 6, 2013 By 1 Comment
If young people want to properly discern a vocation, they need an expert to help guide them. In the Church of San Luigi Dei Francesi in Rome, there are the three famous paintings of the life of St. Matthew by the great Baroque artist … [Read more...]
June is Vocations Month
June 6, 2013 By 1 Comment
Congratulations! Our prayers and best wishes to all those ordained to the priesthood and the diaconate this month, and all those taking final vows for religious life! May God bless you and be … [Read more...]
Homilies for June 2013
May 26, 2013 By 2 Comments
For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for June 2013 "Christ of St. John of the Cross" by Salvador Dali, and consecration of the Eucharist. Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi)—June 2, … [Read more...]
Change and permanence
May 22, 2013 By 5 Comments
The Catholic Church has always seemed to me to be like the solid Rock of Gibralter — stable and permanent. St. Peter, the Rock, and the Roman Catholic Church share the stability of the Rock of Gibraltar Even though we live in a … [Read more...]
An Ignatian Bishop of Rome
May 22, 2013 By 6 Comments
Like Bergoglio’s choice of the name Francis—after the Poverello of Assisi rather than the Jesuit Francis Xavier—the phrase “presides in charity” and its evocation of “the other Ignatius” may turn out to be interpretive keys to … [Read more...]
Thinking as a Christian with Josef Pieper
May 20, 2013 By 3 Comments
In an age when society is again becoming highly polarized, it is important to remember that the lack of real communication causes a breakdown in civility, and an increase in ignorance. During his long lifetime, Josef Pieper (1904-1997) … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
May 16, 2013 By 3 Comments
Is it true that Hell is not a permanent condition? Are there any clear statements in Scripture that homosexuality is a sin and unnatural? Question: Is it true that Hell is not a permanent condition? Answer: The question of the … [Read more...]
The Latest Book Reviews
May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Spring to Summer Reading For May 2013 Reviews for the following books: A SCHOOL OF PRAYER. The Saints Show Us How to Pray. By Pope Benedict XVI (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2012), 282 pp. HB $17.95. (Reviewed by Fr. … [Read more...]
Homily After the Boston Marathon Bombings
May 6, 2013 By 1 Comment
In a moment, the whole thing was changed into a secular Good Friday. A bloody, savage assault on the life of the innocent, complete with nails going through flesh after the bombs exploded. Once you’ve been a priest for a while, you … [Read more...]
Four Rocks in a Garden
May 5, 2013 By 1 Comment
In the garden are four small rocks, each inscribed with a capitalized word: BELIEVE, HOPE, TRUST, WAIT ... If the small garden ... can imaginatively serve to suggest the divine “grandeur”; how might one order the realities represented … [Read more...]
Getting a Grip on Gossip
May 4, 2013 By 3 Comments
The Church reminds us that we have the obligation to correct our brother’s fault for the sake of righteousness out of love ... We are called to do this in a spirit of gentleness and humility. A First Down Broadmoor Drive Growing up … [Read more...]
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