The Pilgrim's Journey

Here are some official numbers for World Youth Day ’13 in Rio reported by CNS. 2.5 million people expected 320,000 people have officially registered Countries with the greatest numbers of pilgrims registered are Brazil, Argentina and the United States 8,400 priests from all over the globe requested credentials 5,500 journalists have been given credentials 55 … Read More

Only once did Moses forget his own story and where he came from.  And for that he was punished by God and no longer able to lead his people, after 40 years, into the promised land.  Moses, taken up out of the water, lucky to be alive, grows up well but then commits murder.  God … Read More

“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men…” Jesus, in the Gospel today, mentions in this verse sheep, wolves, serpents, doves and men.  Sounds almost like a lesson in zoology.  His point is made that a zoo may … Read More

“Freely have you received – freely give” Do you believe that the gospel has power to change your life and the lives of others? Jesus gave his disciples a two-fold commission to speak in his name and to act with his power. The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God … Read More

“Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.“ It was news sensation in May!  Sadly, it showed us how ignorant the secular press can be when it comes to ecclesiastical realities.  USA Today, on  May 22nd, ran an AP … Read More

Big news on two fronts:    1) Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II have been officially cleared for canonization!  The date is still to be determined but it looks at if it might make for a fitting end to the Year of Faith this upcoming November.  (That’s where I’m putting my money anyway.)  Along … Read More

“…with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.” Capstones are different from keystones, a fact I recently learned.  A keystone is used at the apex of a structure to hold it together, as seen below: A capstone is used atop a structure to decorate and/or protect it from the elements.  The difference can be seen below: … Read More

Soon we’ll be saying, St. John Paul, pray for us.  Our friends at CNA report that the theologians from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have approved a second miracle.  What’s left?  “Before Blessed John Paul II can be canonized, the Congregation must formally approve the miracle and present it to Pope Francis. Pope … Read More

Getting all worked up about the news media, government, Church and marriage topics?  Here is a little sigh of relief for those faithful to the Sacrament of Matrimony. Where can we find words to express all the excellence and happiness of a Christian marriage? The church draws up the contract, the Eucharistic offering confirms it, … Read More

Before St. Anthony, first the Gospel.  It is as it should be for St. Anthony himself was a preacher who lived the Gospel so faithfully that he was made a saint within a year of having died. Jesus addresses anger in his famous teaching which includes name-calling, reconciliation, forgiveness, sacrifice and punishment.  For example, he … Read More

There are those who follow the letter of the law but fail to live the spirit of the law.  There are those who proclaim that they live the spirit of the law but can’t be bothered with the letter of the law.  Then there are those who are just trying the best they can to … Read More

The Gospel for this Sunday tells the story of Jesus encountering the widow from Nain.  The encounter was  bitterly painful.  We hear that Jesus took pity on the woman when he saw her.  Pity, not in the present condescending understanding of the word but in its original meaning.  Jesus sympathized with her because he too … Read More

If you’re a vocation director and don’t think making pilgrimages is important for young adults, then watch this video!  Many young adults have been touched by God on pilgrimages and answered calls to the priesthood and religious life.  Forget you billboards and book a pilgrimage. (lol)  Just sayin’.

Frequently, major media in the U.S. carry stories about anti-semitic graffiti.  Rarely do anti-Christian stories make the news.  Often it takes a church-burning to get it on the back page, if there’s room. Well, the case held true again this past week.  On Friday morning, the sad news became public when vandals attacked Dormition Abbey, … Read More