(The Priest, OSV) The most significant annual opportunities for spiritual attention and renewal for Christians naturally correspond to the busiest and most hectic times of year for the Church’s ministers, who labor to provide the faithful with the spiritual resources they need to respond more fully to God’s call to holiness and conversion. Lent is … Read More
Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin is leading an archdiocesan pilgrimage from Indianapolis to the Holy Land from February 4-15, 2015 with Tekton Ministries. Traveling with a large group of pilgrims is Natalie Hoefer of the archdiocesan staff. Tekton always encourages its pilgrims to share photos and reflections with us. Natalie, like Corey Bruns, a seminarian who recently … Read More
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has made changes to the public ceremony of investiture of the Pallium on Metropolitan Archbishops emphasizing that the investiture is an ecclesial event of the whole diocese, and not merely a juridical or ceremonial event. Speaking to Vatican Radio, Monsignor Guido Marini, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, says that from now … Read More
Definition & Explanation: Cardinal comes from the Latin word meaning “hinge”. A cardinal is a dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church and counselor of the pope.* Relations of the cardinals to the bishops The cardinals were, therefore, from a very early period, assistants of the pope in his liturgical functions, in the care of the … Read More
According to the journalist, Benedict explained that when he initially stepped down he wanted to be called “Father Benedict” rather than Pope Emeritus or Benedict XVI, but “I was too weak at that point to enforce it.” At least part of the reason for wanting his new title to simply be “Father” rather than Pope … Read More
(Mauricio Artieda) “The first thing I do when I start my day is, I get down on my hands and knees and give thanks to God.” I must confess that making posts on Hollywood conversions can be terrifying. It isn’t rare that we Catholics get excited when an actor says something about the faith. Sometimes … Read More
by Jonathan Teixeira | AUGUST 4, 2014 Our parish priests are some of the hardest working members of the Church. The typical parish priest works every weekend and holiday, lives in the same building as their office, and only gets one day off a week, not to mention they’re being asked to care for more … Read More
(CNA/EWTN News).- On Thursday, EWTN Global Catholic Network announced it has begun construction on a television studio on the West Coast, located on the campus of the Diocese of Orange’s Christ Cathedral. “As we transform the Christ Cathedral campus into a dynamic and inspirational center of Catholic worship and outreach, we are blessed to partner … Read More
By John White, CatholicVote.com – Next Saturday (June 29) will mark the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. As the universal Church prepares to honor two of her greatest saints, Catholics around the world will be asking themselves the same question that they do every year around this time: What huge things could … Read More
We began these daily Lent reflections by noting how Lent takes us into a spiritual desert. Biblical people knew all about the desert: Abraham has to cross it to get to the promised land; Moses and the Israelite people have to go through it to get home; Joseph is sent into Egypt and prison before … Read More
The late Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, whom I mentioned yesterday, often spoke of the “theo-drama.” This is the drama written and directed by God and involving every creature in the cosmos. On the grand stage that is the created universe, we are invited to “act,” to find and play our role in God’s … Read More
As I reflected on today’s feast of St. John, and its placement in the Octave of Christmas, I was struck again by the delicate layers of insight the Spirit gives to the Church in our liturgical life. Even before we ponder the poetic proclamation of witness in the first reading, the placing of the feast … Read More
In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 This Gospel Acclamation for Thanksgiving Day can be a challenge at times. There may be parts of our lives for which we are not thankful – death, destruction, uncertainty, violence, sadness, hurt – and … Read More
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24 What does the image of a door say to us about the kingdom of God? Jesus’ story about the door being shut to those who come too late suggests they had … Read More
New Feast Day for Knock The Vatican has approved a new Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock and this is the 17th August every year. It will be listed in the new Roman Missal and has it’s own new Memorial Mass. The reason why the 17th August was chosen is that the 21st August … Read More
