At Mass this week we have been reading narratives from Paul’s second missionary journey. Acts of the Apostles, chapters 16 to 18, recounts how Paul and his companions reached Macedonia and stayed a long while in towns like Philippi and Corinth.
Paul’s second missionary journey was a test of endurance. In...
May is a particularly appropriate month for learning more about Mary. Yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to hear Chris Padgett speak about Mary, the Mother of God. Despite being a lifelong Catholic, I feel like there are many things I know about Mary, but can’t really explain to anyone. This...
In his apostolic letter “Door of Faith,” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI cites Vatican II’s frequently quoted teaching: “The Church . . . clasping sinner to its bosom, at once holy and always in need of purification, follows constantly the path of penance and renewal” (Dogmatic Constitution on the...
The first follower of St. Francis of Assisi was Bernard of Quintavalle. Bernard admired Francis and felt a deep desire to follow him. But before taking his first step to become a committed follower, Bernard wanted to make sure that Francis was truly a holy and pious man.
So Bernard came up with a plan. He...
In the early morning just past dawn about two months ago, I was driving my daughter to school when a deer suddenly sprinted across the road right in front of my car. My daughter, her friend, and I all screamed simultaneously as I slammed on the brakes. No luck. Screaming doesn’t work. Deer hit. Damage...
Fearing that he might not resist the temptations commonly experienced by lawyers, Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1578–1622) became a Capuchin priest, a noted preacher, and a martyr.
Each of us will die eventually. “What kind of conscience will I bring to that moment?” should be our main concern.
“By faith,...
