Natalie HoeferLast Updated: November 22nd, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
November 17 is the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Given her work in feeding the poor, she could easily be called St. Elizabeth of the Hungry! This 13th-century saint is the patron of several causes, one of which is what she is most noted for in her lifetime: charity. St. Elizabeth was a princess, … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: November 22nd, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
On November 11, we celebrate the feast of St. Martin of Tours, often remembered for giving half of his cloak to a poor beggar. Though mocked for this act of charity, Martin later received a vision from Christ saying it was He himself whom Martin helped. The figure in this vision was wearing the cloak … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: November 3rd, 2022Spiritual Reflections
In the Catholic Church, the month of November is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory. These are those who have died, but not yet obtained the full glory of Heaven. This devotion is most notable through the celebration of All Souls Day on November 2. Though often the theology of purgatory is thought to … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: October 14th, 2022Marian Shrines of Europe, Spiritual Reflections, World News
I was 9 years old when I checked out a storybook from my Catholic school’s library about the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917. The story mesmerized me. I felt a bit of holy jealousy, since Lucia, one of the seers, was my age at the time … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: October 6th, 2022Marian Shrines of Europe, Spiritual Reflections
The traditional Catholic dedication for the month of October is to the Holy Rosary. This tradition dates back to the late 16th century after the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Pope Pius V attributed the victory of the Holy League over the invading navy to the power of the Rosary. He had called … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: September 22nd, 2022Marian Shrines of Europe, Spiritual Reflections
What month has the most Marian feast days? Surely it’s May, the month of Mary. Or perhaps it’s October, the month of the Rosary? Surprisingly, the answer is September. Three Marian feast days were celebrated this month: the Nativity of the Blessed Mother on the 8th, the Most Holy Name of Mary on the 12th … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: September 8th, 2022Saints, Spiritual Reflections
Yesterday, the world entered a period of mourning for the longest reigning English monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Her life and death have been marked with all the celebrations and festivities fit for an earthly queen. Over the next few days, or even weeks, there will be news reports, tv programs, special newspaper editions, and the … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: September 1st, 2022Italy, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections
Twenty years ago this spring I traveled to Rome for Holy Week and Easter. I was studying abroad that year and before I left I told all my friends at the Newman Center that I was going to see the Pope for Easter and I’d love if anyone would like to join me. One friend … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: August 19th, 2022Spiritual Reflections
It’s mid-August, and I just returned from running errands at several stores. They were packed. At the first store I wondered why, and then I saw the overhead sign: “Back to school sale!” While many students now return to classrooms as early as July, I still associate August with “back to school” time. This month … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: November 15th, 2022Featured Pilgrimages, Marian Shrines of Europe, Spiritual Reflections
August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart. This may seem odd nowadays, considering the Feast of the Immaculate Heart is in late spring or early summer. However, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart was once celebrated on August 22nd – the Octave of the Assumption – for a period of about 25 years. Towards the … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: August 4th, 2022Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, where the disciples encountered Jesus’ divinity in a profound way. This encounter was so meaningful to them that they wanted to stay there and bask in His glory. The same can happen to us throughout our own spiritual lives. Whether in prayer, on retreat, or even … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: July 22nd, 2022Featured Pilgrimages, Spiritual Reflections
On July 4, we celebrated the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Resounding through history from 1776 until now are the words the document rightly declares as truth: that each person is endowed by their Creator—God—the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Through the Holy Spirit-inspired words of … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: July 13th, 2022Spiritual Reflections
Throughout the month of July, the Church is especially devoted to the Precious Blood. This comes about from the old Feast of the Precious Blood that was celebrated on July 1 from 1849-1969 (and to this day in churches which follow the old calendar). Though relatively recent and short-lived when the Church’s entire 2000-year history … Read More
A little over a month ago, several seminarians, priests, and lay faithful had the pleasure and privilege of taking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the trip was not like your standard trip (as if a trip to the king of the universe’s stomping grounds could ever be standard). Covid was still hanging in … Read More
Andrea JoinesLast Updated: June 23rd, 2022Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land, Spiritual Reflections
One of the highlights for our pilgrims to the Holy Land is often when they renew their baptismal vows. This occurs in the Jordan River where Christ himself was baptized by his cousin John, whose feast day we celebrate on June 24th. The Catholic Church as a whole also recognizes the value of this renewal … Read More
