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Homilies for April 2026
For Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), Easter Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, and the Third Sunday and Fourth Sunday of Easter Holy Thursday – April 2, 2026 Readings: Exodus 12:1–8, 11–14 • Psalm 116:12–13, 15–16bc, 17–18 • 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 • John 13:1–15 bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040226-Supper.cfm With this Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we begin […]
“Love One Another”: Synodality and Diocesan Life, Part III
Editor’s Note: This essay is the third installment of three on synodality and diocesan life. You may find the first installment HERE and the second installment HERE. Part Three: How To Live Synodality in Diocesan Life In the previous two installments of this series, I considered why Francis placed an emphasis on synodality and what […]
Behold the Blood of the Covenant
From the dawn of redemptive history, blood has signified life, binding, and atonement. In the ancient Near East, treaty oaths were ratified by the shedding of blood, signifying mutual commitment under penalty of death. In Israel, Yahweh adopted and transformed this motif, inaugurating covenants sealed not only by blood but by sacrifice, law, and promise. […]
The Easter Candle: History and Meaning
He called me “keeper of the flame.” Assigned as the parish sacristan, I remember receiving guidance from the pastor. Among the instructions was that I should be mindful of the sanctuary candle, seek to keep it burning — transfer the flame to a new candle and do so before the existing candle goes completely out. […]
Spies, Siberia, and the American Connection: Divine Mercy after St. Faustina Died
What happened after St. Faustina died of tuberculosis in 1938? While many know the general story of the saint’s life, few know of the events involved in spreading the Divine Mercy message after her death. In fact, these involved war and epic journeys across Lithuania, Russia, Japan and finally America. How did the saint’s confessor, […]
Sacraments Make Life Worth Living
Introduction This is a time in our history when the significance of the sacraments needs to be of primary importance within our Church. With many of our youth feeling lost and lacking meaning, mental health becoming a crisis, and the deep social connection many once had in their church communities diminishing, the sacraments are our […]
Questions Answered – April 2026
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe About Jesus? Question One: My neighbor is a Jehovah’s Witness and she believes very different things about Jesus than I do as a Catholic. What exactly does a Jehovah’s Witness believe about Jesus compared to us Catholics? Answer: The identity of Jesus Christ is the central question of Christian faith. […]
Book Reviews – April 2026
Marie-Dominique Chenu: Catholic Theology for a Changing World. By Mary Kate Holman. Reviewed by Rev. Ryan Connors. (skip to review) The Spirit of God: Short Writings on the Holy Spirit. By Yves Congar, O.P. Trans. Susan Mader Brown, Mark E. Ginter, Joseph G. Mueller, SJ, and Catherine E. Clifford. Reviewed by Rev. John J. Conley, […]
Recent & Upcoming Homilies
Homilies for March 2026
For the Second Sunday, Third Sunday, Fourth Sunday, and Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Solemnity of Saint … more...
Homilies for February 2026
For February 1, February 8, February 15, and February 22 (First Sunday of Lent), as well as the … more...
From the Editor
Rebuilding the Church, Within the Church
I begin with an admission that may surprise some readers. When I was … more...
The Shaping of a Priest
As a Catholic priest ordained in 1998, and as a professor of Dogmatic … more...
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