Throughout his life, St. Francis was consumed by a desire to give his life for Christ. This desire burst into an unquenchable flame when he
One of the most useful liturgical texts at the priest’s disposal is the ordo. Taken from the Latin word for “arrangement” or “routine”, the ordo
I grew up in the Philippines, where Christmas music hits the radio airwaves as soon as the first “ber” month comes. Yes, as early as
When I was someplace between ages 3 and 5, my imaginary friends were Crocodile (the ticking one, from Peter Pan) and the Baby Jesus. Years
Life here in Florida is still rough after a contentious Presidential Election. Emotions are high; anger is pervasive, seeping into my spirit. I shudder at
The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown.
Beyond the festivities of the Christmas season and all the attendant trimmings, lies the incarnate Christ in the form of an infant. Manger scenes around
The Advent wreath provides a wonderful means for representing the spiritual fruit of the season. We’re going to take a specific look at the fifth
Perhaps no presidential election since that of 1928 has politicized the Catholic Church in America as much as the one that concluded last month. Not
Last year I said “Merry Christmas!” to a cashier at a store on December 26. “Christmas is over!” was the cashier’s jaundiced reply. “I don’t
Throughout the Church’s history, the Holy Spirit has moved women and men to answer a call to religious life and share God’s love revealed in
Imagine you are living in Nazareth 2,000 years ago. You awaken one morning and notice a man packing items on a donkey in preparation for
In my early faith walk, I knew in my head what was wrong, but my faith had not taken the 12-inch journey to my heart
While some may have difficulty going to Confession at this time, we all can do one thing that will have great benefit for our spiritual
The Trinity is a doctrine that many have taken issue with since the earliest days of Christianity. The great Church Father, St. Augustine of Hippo,
Off the Shelf 201 – Kimberly Cook This week on Off the Shelf we take a deep dive look at the history of feminism. My
The coolest Catholic I know is retired Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput (who should have been named a cardinal, in my honest opinion), and not just
Usually, I am reluctant to embrace changes in my life. I like things to stay the same. However, I realize that if I never change,
Church bells will not peal as loudly from the belfries of Catholic churches in the Philippines this year. In the midst of a pandemic, Christmas
A few years ago I heard about a book from a friend titled Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul. Though I
Going to visit relatives during the holidays is like putting a gun to Grandma’s head, according to one western state governor. Well, who on earth
Last month, we published an article in two parts on the story of Garabandal. This sought to explore two questions. Firstly, what reasons have we
Is Advent a penitential season? Yes, it is. No, it isn’t. Well, maybe it ought to be again. The answer you get depends, I suspect,
Twice in the month of December we honor the Blessed Mother in a special way on the liturgical calendar: on the Solemnity of the Immaculate
