Many Catholics are well aware of the crisis in the Church. They are often tempted to be discouraged and abandon the struggle. The devil makes things worse by whispering in our ears the stronger temptation that the gates of Hell have prevailed against the Church contrary to the words of Our Lord … Read more
Many Catholics justify their inertia and passivity by repeating to themselves and others the Gospel passage that says, “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Thus, this promise to the Church supposedly dispenses us from combating those working to destroy Her from within and without. God cannot break His … Read more
Catholics throughout the world should welcome Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s timely op-ed “On the Question of a Heretical Pope,” released March 21. The position adopted by the Auxiliary Bishop of Astana on the canonical consequences of a public acknowledgment of a pope’s crime of heresy—denying he may lose the Papacy in any event—enriches … Read more
September 25 is the feast of the Divine Shepherdess. This devotion dates back to 1703, when Capuchin Friar Isidoro of Seville, a scion of Spain’s most noble families, experienced a mystical illumination in which the Virgin Mary asked him to spread devotion to her as Shepherdess of Souls. He commissioned a painting, … Read more
In the Nicene Creed, the faithful profess: “Credo in unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam”—“I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” When reciting the Creed, Catholics profess, therefore, to believe in the sanctity of the Church. This sanctity, nonetheless, is often not visible, especially when the weaknesses of Her members … Read more
Something is sacred when it separates that which belongs to God alone from the rest of the world. The sacred speaks of heavenly things and leaves below earthly concerns. The sacred is outside of time and place. It contains the mystery of all things infinite and ineffable. Indeed, the very word sacred … Read more
Father Martin’s Double Standard “The Rev. James Martin is a Roman Catholic rock star.” That is how his admirer Frank Bruni described him, in a February 3, 2018 Op-Ed in The New York Times. He continued: His books, including one on Jesus Christ and another on the saints, have sold hundreds … Read more
“Every one of us has a Prompt Succor story!” So began a sermon on the Feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, commemorating 203 years since she saved America at the Battle of New Orleans. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in uptown New Orleans hosted the yearly anniversary … Read more
The medal of Our Lady of Graces, more commonly known as the Miraculous Medal, is undoubtedly the most widespread medal of all times. It originated in France in 1830, having been revealed directly by Our Lady to Saint Catherine Labouré while yet a young religious. The Miraculous Medal is oval. On one … Read more
So many times, people become discouraged by all the trials and obstacles they face. The struggle to lead a life of Catholic virtue seems huge and disproportional. This is especially true of our neo-pagan world where all sorts of vice and temptations constantly appear before us. In times of discouragement, it is … Read more