We had a pre-existing condition, but we didn’t know it. Before the days of COVID, I was aware that I was in a safety-based culture. We could think of the expansion of insurance (I bought a phone recently and was automatically involved in an … [Read more...]
The Diaconal Call to Spiritual Martyrdom
The Foundation of the Servant Mysteries of Christ
November 27, 2017 by Deacon Robert T. Yerhot
“Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”[1. Matthew 20: … [Read more...]
Confession of Faith, Eucharist and Martyrdom
With Special Reference to Early Church Fathers of the East
September 27, 2017 by Bishop Abraham Mar Julios
Introduction[0. Paper presented at Theological Colloquium held at St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum (Jan. 13, 2017). ] The Church of the first millennium was born of the blood of the martyrs: “Sanguis Martyrum - Semen Chr … [Read more...]
The Imperishable Crown
Martyrdom as the Fulfillment of the Baptismal Call
April 8, 2017 by Tyler J. Worthy
At the heart of the mystery of Christian life is a paradox: although those who are baptized receive all of the supernatural grace necessary for entering eternal life, they do not on that account escape the harsh reality of the present … [Read more...]
Martyrdom and Us
March 9, 2017 by Dr. William Newton
Writing about the martyrs is a little daunting when I reflect on my own numerous infidelities to the Lord, even under the most trivial of social pressures. To use a phrase in English, I cannot “hold a candle” to giants like St. Thomas More a … [Read more...]
Silence and Weakness
The Martyrdom of Alfred Delp and the Apostasy of Sebastian Rodrigues
March 9, 2017 by Fr. Peter Nguyen
What ultimately makes a Christian martyr—an individual’s heroism or the grace of God? Martyrdom is a radical call to assume the form of Christ’s self-sacrifice on the Cross for the sake of others, however the martyr’s vocation neither consis … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
June 30, 2016 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: Please distinguish between baptism by water, desire, and blood. Answer: Since the Second Vatican Council, there has been a lot of misunderstanding about the necessity of baptism for salvation. Prior to the Council, theologians … [Read more...]
Renewal and the Remnant
February 1, 2016 by Maria O'Shea
Sabotage within and “missiles” from without: when it comes to the fortunes of the Church, it seems there is nothing new under the sun. Like our ancestors, the ancient Israelites, we live in a “mixed economy” and have to deal with the tension … [Read more...]
On a Small Point of Doctrine
April 15, 2015 by Fr. James V. Schall, SJ
He (Sir Thomas More) gave up life itself, deliberately; he accepted violent death as of a criminal, not even for the Faith as a whole, but on one particular, small point of doctrine—to wit, the supremacy of the See of Peter. (Hilaire B … [Read more...]
My Ways or Your Ways?
March 30, 2015 by David Vincent Meconi
What do ISIS, the Chinese government, and many Catholics have in common? It begins like a bad joke, I know, but none of them allows Christ’s Church to carry out her mission fully. Reading the papers these past few weeks only confirms a c … [Read more...]
Memories Make the Future
September 9, 2014 by Fr. John Navone, SJ
The community of faith throughout the entire biblical tradition has been called to tell its story to others. Jesus affirmed that those who love him will keep his word and share it with others (Jn 14:24)... Old Testament prophet's … [Read more...]
Knowing Enough History to Defend It: Catholic History and Apologetics
September 25, 2013 by Stephanie A. Mann
The Church is distinctive among institutions in the history of mankind: it is human and yet divine; perfect, yet in need of reform; holy, yet made up of sinners; infallible, yet led by fallen, fallible humans. While many seem to … [Read more...]
On Giving: What goes around…
March 25, 2013 by Richard J. Janet, PhD
When we are reunited with God fully in the Heavenly City, how should we explain what we have done with the entirely unmerited gifts that have been given us? Parable of the Talents by Willem de Poorter; English martyr, Robert … [Read more...]
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