Life can change in a split second. My wife Pat and I experienced this first-hand a few weeks ago while visiting friends. How could I summarize? Shock. Utter shock. No time to think. No safety net. No “alternative plan.” No way to do anything but surrender to the moment. And yet… unimaginable Mercy. Here’s the…
CNA—This weekend, the longest Catholic pilgrimages ever organized in the United States — possibly the world — will commence on the edges of the country. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimages, organized as part of the multiyear National Eucharistic Revival, will see a group of young men and women collectively walk over 6,500 miles, carrying the Eucharist…
Vatican News — “I encourage you to continue your efforts to contribute to a revival of faith in, and love for, the Holy Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life.” With these words, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the members of the Committee preparing for the forthcoming National Eucharistic Congress in the…
In a new letter, Benedict XVI praised the story of a woman who lived “the inner drama of being a Christian” and dedicated her life to the spiritual encounter with Christ in eucharistic adoration and other practices. The pope emeritus wrote that his own personal experience was similar to what Mother Julia Verhaeghe went through…
CNA—Did you know that you can get a plenary indulgence any day this November? It’s true. The Vatican has decided to grant Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the dead on any day in the month of November a plenary indulgence. Usually, the Catholic Church only grants this plenary indulgence for the souls…
Catholics must be “battle ready” to defend the family and their faith, said Sister Deirdre Byrne, POSC, at an international pro-life conference on April 30. Byrne, a member of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, is a surgeon and a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. She serves as the…
CNA, Catholic Catechism—A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ, Mary and all the saints to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence applies to sins already forgiven. A plenary indulgence cleanses the soul as if the person had just been baptized. A plenary…
CNA—Eight hundred years ago, a barefoot St. Dominic carried an icon of the Virgin Mary across Rome to entrust the Marian image to a new community of cloistered nuns, who have safeguarded the icon within the walls of their convent to this day. The icon, known as the “Advocata,” can be found today in a…
The recently-opened 117th Congress experienced what could be considered the most laughable prayer ever uttered if it was not in the context of such a serious platform. Representative Emanuel Cleaver from Missouri was sworn in on Sunday, and led a prayer in front of Congress to conclude the process. Ordinarily, this would be an appropriate…
Archbishop José H. Gomez, joined by bishops from across the country, leads faithful in praying a virtual rosary for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, to seek our Blessed Mother’s intercession for the nation. The Rosary for America video is available today at https://lacatholics.org/rosary-for-america/. “Our hope is to unite Catholic people from across…
CNA—After more than 14 months in prison, Cardinal George Pell said he was always hopeful about the High Court decision which acquitted him of all charges and released him from incarceration on April 7. Shortly after his release from prison, the cardinal told CNA that, while he had kept faith he would be eventually exonerated,…
What is commonly known as the St. Andrew Christmas Novena — or The St Andrew Christmas Prayer— is not a novena (because it is prayed for more than nine days), nor is it a prayer to St. Andrew. Instead, it is a most simple, unusual and beautiful prayer recitation that prepares the soul for Christmas. …
September 21, 2012 Catholic business owners and Catholic business professionals at all levels—including the Catholic Medical Association, Legatus International, Catholics@Work (Oakland), Catholic business owners and Catholic business professionals at all levels—including the members of Catholics@Work (Oakland), Catholics at Work OC (Orange County), Catholic Professional & Business Club (Reno, NV), many Catholic lawyers and judges nationwide at St. Thomas…
September 16, 2007 Dear Dick: I hear an awful lot about burnout these days. I’m tired a lot and have lost a lot of the enthusiasm I once had for my job. Does this mean I’m burned out? If so, what should I do about it? —Tired on the Job Dear Tired: If you dread the thought…
