Taking Up the Cross Daily by Praying with Our Senses

On the Role of Mortification in the Christian Life

The term “mortification” has become increasingly less common in contemporary discussions of the spiritual life. One might say it is now nearly absent from such discussions. We hear about someone being “mortified” when they are humiliated, or … [Read more...]

Apokatastasis: On the Salvation of a Punk Rock Princess

“Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine” are the famous opening words sung by the godmother of punk rock, Patti Smith, on her debut album, Horses. On Wednesday, April 11, 2013, the same Patti Smith—a self-proclaimed “non-Catholic who l … [Read more...]

The Eucharist: From Corinth to Liege

Many converts to the Catholic faith are surprised by the lack of devotion to the Eucharist evident among those attending Mass—their poor unconvincing responses to the liturgy, their matter of fact attitude at Holy Communion. As one such c … [Read more...]

Eschatology and Eucharistic Adoration

...certain “liturgists” and “theologians” ... stamp (Eucharistic Adoration) as mere “private devotion.” In fact, in its complete form, from exposition to benediction, it is a liturgical event. ...it has a long, and shall enjoy an everlasting … [Read more...]

Checking the Calendar

(The Ephiphany) celebrates the end of man’s being held captive by the natural elements.  We are not fated but free. None of us is pre-determined, but now made children of God by the humanity of his only divine Son.     God the Father (righ … [Read more...]

Mysterium Fidei: The Year and the Encyclical

Both Benedict and Francis must see the need to stress the basic theological virtue of trusting in God for a reason at this point in time. November brings the Year of Faith to an end.  And what a year it was.  The Year of Faith was i … [Read more...]

On Thinking the Actual World Out of Existence

The scanty conceptions to which we can attain of celestial things give us, from their excellence, more pleasure than all the knowledge of the world in which we live; just as a half-glimpse of persons that we love is more delightful than a … [Read more...]

Glorious Wounds—Christ’s and Ours

You could say that Christ’s glorious wounds are our wounds. He took our humanity to himself in the Incarnation ... Christ’s humanity is completely ours.   Central to the mystery of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, an … [Read more...]