Articles

Imitation of Jesus, Priest and Victim, and the Grace of Celibacy

By reason of our priestly consecration, we are called to be perfect imitators of Christ; we are called to be priests and victims in the manner of Jesus who is the Priest and Victim. (This was a talk delivered at a day of recollection for … [Read more...]

What Evangelicals Can Learn From Catholics

The biggest thing that Evangelicals can learn from Catholics is how to worship ... liturgy, when celebrated reverently, can also give worshipers a connection to the sacred that is just not available through the type of worship service ... … [Read more...]

Revisiting Humanae Vitae

What has been summarized as his most profound theological contribution, Theology of the Body, John Paul II labeled the entire work a “rereading of Humanae Vitae.” Two days after the publication of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI remarked dur … [Read more...]

Why Do We Believe?

The dynamics of Catholic faith-building are thus severely attacked today by many in the sciences who quite glibly point out that the evidence of science trumps the evidence of religion. The Year of Faith is a most appropriate time to … [Read more...]

Doctrinal Homily Outlines for the Year of Faith

...the Scriptures are not a systematic presentation of the faith. Nevertheless, the doctrines of the faith are contained in Sacred Scripture, so the Lectionary readings can be the basis for preaching about doctrine.    Pope Benedict XVI h … [Read more...]

Cantor, Psalmist, and Cleric: The Pastoral Care and Responsibilities of the Soloist Musician

Next to the ministry of priests and deacons, the ministries in parish music—particularly music for Mass—are the most visible in many Catholic communities.  With the advent of the new Missal, ... music ministries have the opportunity to beco … [Read more...]

Are doctrine and morals too controversial?

January 2013 Editorial

What happens to a parish, and to its parishioners, when the pastor refuses to preach Catholic doctrine and morals on the grounds that they are now “too controversial”?   Cardinal Francis George and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are well known fo … [Read more...]

Beauty: A Necessity, Not a Luxury

Just when I am about to succumb to the sadness and living death of nihilism, some piercing ray of beauty breaks open my heart, and the breath of possibility returns. I recently visited the Botanical Garden in St Louis.  Amid the sights … [Read more...]

Husbands and Fathers in the Image of Christ: Facilitating God’s Will for Our Wives and Children

What does it mean for a man to love his wife and children as Christ loved (and loves) his Church?  Obviously, a lot rides on the word “as”—loving as Christ loves. ... It means according to the same standard with which Christ loves.  Pope … [Read more...]

John Paul II’s “Triptych” of the Human Person

This article focuses on the first part of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body which broadens the vision of humanity from not just this life (historical man), but to what God intended for man before the Fall (original man), as well as w … [Read more...]

Roman Missal 3.0: Updates Installed

As a revision, the Roman Missal 3.0 has, as its obvious intention, to be an improvement upon that which came before ... the highlights that follow will serve as fledgling insights into the treasures we have received. The last time I put … [Read more...]

The Dynamic of the Gift: Authority and Submission in Christian Marriage

Both persons in a marriage are called to love ... called to a life of giving and receiving.  The catch is:  spouses don’t give and receive in exactly the same way ... because man and woman are not replicas of one another, nor are they mir … [Read more...]

“Father, Aren’t You Afraid I’ll Become Muslim?”: The Challenge of Encountering Non-Christian Religions

The reason behind offering a world religions course to Catholic young adults became more apparent: to help them understand Christian Catholic distinctiveness, what separates our faith from others.    Fr. Hardon, S.J., Peter Kreeft, Fr. R … [Read more...]

Obstacles to Reading Scripture in Modernity: Von Balthasar’s Response

Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theological aesthetics {are} a remedy for the breakdown in modern biblical exegesis and the groundwork of an approach to revelation that allows the glory of God to show forth in all of its splendor. In the first b … [Read more...]