This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s deeply controversial encyclical letter “Humanae vitae.” But I would like to draw particular attention to a remarkable passage in this encyclical, namely section 17, in which Paul VI plays the prophet and lays out, clearly and succinctly, what he foresees as consequences of turning away from the Church’s classic teaching on sex.
Read MoreEvery vocation is born of sacrifice, is maintained by sacrifice, and is measured in the apostolate by the sacrifice of those whom God calls to the priesthood or the religious life. This should not be surprising, once we realize that it was by His sacrifice that Christ redeemed the world.
Read MoreWhether it is a toddler who wants to carry his father's tools as he works around the house, or the six-year-old who insists on accompanying dad on his errands, early on, boys obtain their idea of masculine behavior from their father.
Read MoreSaint Pope John Paul II speaks of the “feminine genius” in his letter On the Dignity and Vocation of Women. What is the definition and origin of the word genius?
I have a friend who once told me that, at one point in her life, she suffered from severe anxiety, indigestion, and insomnia.
“Then,” she said, “I made a single change in my life that cured all of that. What was it? I quit leading youth ministry at church.”
Read More....Christ came to earth and died on the cross, not so that we could avoid death and suffering, but so that he could transform the inevitability of death and suffering from the inside out. By communion with him, by participation in his cross, we could receive eternal life.
Read MoreFr. Mike Schmitz, in this 6 min. video, talks on suffering as sharing in a "sliver of the cross".
Read MoreHow many times as a parent have we wished that we could alleviate our child’s suffering? Our
God-given nature to love and protect our child kicks in to high gear when he or she faces trials.
This is the question many of us face pre-Lent each year or even as late or later then Ash Wednesday because we just can’t decide on what to “give up” and/or what “to do”.
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Given the Feast Day of St. Valentine falls on Wednesday, February 14, 2018
on the solemn observance of Ash Wednesday, it seems appropriate to ponder the true meaning of love.
The valentine has become the universal symbol of friendship and affection shared each anniversary of the priest's execution -- St. Valentine's Day. Valentine has also become the patron of engaged couples.
Read MorePray without ceasing. . . what does this mean? Can we really pray constantly as St. Paul tells us to do in this verse? Most of us are not cloistered―we live in this very busy world―a world full of high expectations and productivity ―a world in which we run from activity to activity―a world in which we are bombarded with constant media. I know that I easily get caught up in filling my day to overflowing.
Read MoreSt. Francis de Sales once said, “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour.” Sounds impossible but with a little thought this makes sense. The more responsibilities we have, the busier we are, the more we need our Heavenly Father’s assistance and guidance.
Read MoreBefore I was Catholic, there were three significant days in my week: Monday was the much dreaded day school or work began; Wednesday was the hopeful hump day when most of the week was over; and Friday was the glorious final day of the week that ushered us into the weekend.
Since becoming, Catholic, however, I have gained a new appreciation for the sacredness of time.
Read MorePractical tips for Celebrating the Feast of All Saints and All Souls Day as a family.
Read MoreJoin the Family Rosary Pledge.
Read MoreHow exciting for children to hear the story of Fatima! Knowing that God used three young children, Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia to help Him to do His work on earth means that yes, He can use each one of us as well - even young children.
Share the story of Fatima with your children and watch this Video Blog of a young woman visiting Fatima today. You may also download a free coloring page on Holy Heroes.
Read MoreOne of the most pernicious lies of the modern world is that life is supposed to be easy and comfortable. There is even a sense in which moderns believe they are entitled to this comfort and ease—that it is some sort of fundamental human right.
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When we speak of politeness we may think of something that can be easily learned from reading an etiquette book. Such may be the case with simple, isolated behaviors like selecting the proper fork or keeping one's elbows off the table. But true politeness requires more. For it is the mirror of a person's heart and soul – it is an outward expression of inner virtue. And inner virtue is best learned through constant practice and examples
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