In the spiritual life, virtues and vices compete

A Meditation on the Immaculate Conception

Dear Father Joe: Sometimes, there are so many distractions at Mass that I can’t concentrate. It’s really frustrating – what can I do?

What would it look like if we expected Jesus to speak to us through each day, even in the most mundane and ordinary moments?

In 2023, the bishops released the USCCB document Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

Filomena Giese first learned about Saint Joseph Naik Vaz, Sri Lanka’s only saint, “from my parents, who heard his heroic story from their parents.

I’ve been noticing a verbal trend characterized by the increased usage of “honestly, truthfully or actually.” 

A Holy Year of the forgiveness of sin, conversion and joyful celebration

The Church must focus on nurturing relationships with God and within society. It is through these relationships that faith is transmitted.

After placing each item in proper positions and lighting the two candles, he began his beachside celebration of the Eucharist.

To give as God gives includes our time, talent, treasure and, ultimately, our very selves.

This saint earned his “golden-mouthed” surname with his incredible preaching skills, which ultimately led to him falling out of favor with Church and political leaders because he called for reform.

Certain “worldly” attitudes, seasons of spiritual dryness, acedia (or sloth), distraction and lack of faith can all undermine our life of prayer.

Edith Stein was born in Poland in 1891 to a devout Jewish family. She gave up practicing the Jewish faith as a teenager and began to pursue a degree in philosophy.

Pilgrims from every corner of the nation gathered to celebrate what they know to their core – that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith.

Today we are grateful to be completing our studies at the Institute for Leadership in Ministry.

I am grateful that you asked this question. In fact, I’ve been pondering this for a number of years now: What do we “do” with “famous Catholics”?

 Their Pastoral Journey and Becoming Parents again, 20 years after their first child.

During his lifetime, Anthony encouraged the faithful to commit to 40 hours of continuous prayer before the Eucharist.

Prayer is a gift of God’s grace to us. It is not something we merit. Consequently, prayer calls for our response.

Isn’t it amazing how easily we human beings can take things for granted?

Contemplative prayer is first and foremost a gift, a grace. Consequently, we must receive it in humility and a poverty of spirit.

Of Immigrants and Our Church

We can turn to Scripture, especially Jesus’ words and actions, for practical guidance.

Ordinary time helps us appreciate and value extraordinary moments, and it’s no different in our lives as liturgical Catholics.