By Joe Masek February 18, 2026—the day my five-year-old son was diagnosed with brain cancer, the floor dropped out from beneath me. Fear. Helplessness. Grief.
Everyone experiences feelings of overwhelmingness, depression, and hopelessness when personal problems, physical challenges, and troubling thoughts become too much. During these times, what is the
Why do some speak so strongly against mental illness and those who suffer with it? With mental illness as common today as many other illnesses,
Mary, the Queen Mother, intercedes for us to her Son, Jesus, the King of kings.
Some have thought and still think that God is a punishing God. But nothing could be further from the truth. For instance, I recently was
One of my various apostolates here in Italy is to teach the joys of medieval philosophy to American college juniors studying abroad here in the
Midlife crises can be downright stupid. Mine came in the form of an inspiration to try jiu-jitsu for the summer. I’m 47. Everything started out
The third petition of the sorrowful mysteries during the rosary is the crowning of thorns. Here, Jesus suffers the crowd’s taunting insults and expressions of
Five years ago this month my trials, adversities, and humiliations began. And I thank God for everything that happened to me. I was fired after
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 Anno Domini to 1274 Anno Domini) wrote a poetic prayer in Latin which has come to be known by its first
Suffering is one of the most profound mysteries in human life. Suffering appears, at first glance, to alienate us from joy, peace, and even from
How does one have strength in weakness? Consider St. Paul’s boast: “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power
The concept of faith is deeply rooted in the paradoxical, embodying the transformation from death to life, darkness to light, suffering to joy and triumph
Last month, I wrote an article concerning discussions I am having with a Protestant friend. He claims that we are saved by “faith alone,” a
It’s Lent, and you know what that means – it’s time to fast! But what if you can’t because you’re pregnant? While moms-to-be may not
Much to everyone’s surprise – and my own as well – when it came time to pick a patron for my reception into the Roman
Ice Cream: A sweet frozen dessert, typically made from flavored cream or milk which includes a sweetener, e.g. sugar, or a sugar substitute, and can
Recently I saw the movie Sound of Freedom, which spotlights the cruelties of child sex trafficking. Like illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Abel Ferrera’s new movie, “Padre Pio,” is less a story about the beloved saint and more a commentary on
Stories our elders tell us are often meant to be instructive. Such was the case with a story a neighbor once told me. When I
Part Six – The Sword of Suffering Our Lady’s teaching on prayer has always been the same. It is the same teaching that she taught
Many say you shouldn’t and can’t expect anything from life. Nobody owes you anything. Instead, you should “Do it for yourself. You’re worth it.” Yet,
