Every one of us has a tomb in our hearts. We have something sitting in our hearts, locked tightly behind a wall of stone. But that tomb, like Christ’s, has no power over us if we let Him into it. Will we?
Theology & Tradition
We Rejoice in Creation—Meditating on the Wonder of the Physical World
Have you ever reflected on how precious the physical world is in God’s eyes?
We tend to think of our Faith in abstract, intellectual terms. But the Catholic Faith is not some mere philosophical theory. It is something real and alive, which we experience and express in our daily lives in tangible ways.
What the Simplicity of Bethlehem Signifies for Us
Too often, we view the Nativity in a sentimental way. Teresa Kidron reminds us of the earthliness that characterized the stable at Bethlehem and the significance of the humble, meager conditions amidst which Christ was born.
Silence: An Underrated Theme of Christmas
There’s a unique quality about Christmas, one often described as the “Christmas spirit” that seems to unite people from all walks of life together in a profound way, regardless of whether they are Christian or not. What is this special something that bonds people together? Vir Christi suggests that it is silence.
An Advent Meditation on the Angelus
Vir Christi reflects upon the verses of the Angelus and the variety and abundance of spiritual fruits to be reaped by praying this simple Catholic prayer.
Why We Need Silence—4 Lessons from the Life of St. Joseph
St. Joseph is a model par excellence of prayerful silence for the ordinary layperson. Why is he silent, though? What purpose(s) does his silence serve? How can we imitate him?
Prepare the Way! A Guide to a Holy Advent
Advent and Lent are both seasons of penance and preparation. Yet they are meant to be celebrated in unique ways. How? And what specifically might we do so that Advent isn’t merely a time-marking season leading up to Christmas?
Christ the King, Now and Forever
As Catholics, in our liturgical celebrations we frequently hear mentions of Christ’s kingship. It might seem redundant to have a whole solemnity identifying Jesus as King, when we have so many other feast days celebrating Jesus in other ways. So why have it?
Reclaiming Halloween as a Catholic Celebration
What is the significance of Halloween for Catholics? Why does this day matter for us? How can we celebrate this day and All Hallows Day (All Saints’ Day) in a holy way in our secular society?
Suicide: Why and How the Church Opposes This Evil
Many people have had their life touched by the issue of suicide. I, personally, have grappled with suicidal thoughts and witnessed the consequences of someone committing suicide. Amidst all the sorrow caused by this evil, we might ask:
What does the Catholic Church teach about suicide? Why? And what can you and I do?
Why Mary’s Assumption Matters to Us
Many Catholics know the Assumption is an important event in Mary’s life. However, they frequently fail to ask an essential question: What does the Assumption of Mary mean for you and me, in both an immediate and an eternal sense?
Charity and Clarity: Rethinking Our Individual Response to Abortion
Abortion is one of the most heated topics of discussion in our country. Anytime abortion comes to the fore in current events, it generates a communications firestorm. As Catholics, we have a responsibility to set the example in how we talk about abortion as well as when and where we talk about it.
Live the Resurrection, Real Time
Easter is a season of new beginnings. It’s a time for us to allow the blossoming of the spiritual seeds that Lent sowed in our hearts, and also to allow the restoration of that which was broken. The cry “He is risen!” is not a far-distant memory, but rather…
Tarry in the Triduum
When Holy Week arrives, there is a sense of anticipation. Palm Sunday begins a countdown to Easter for many people, a time when we can return to the things we gave up for Lent. But is this the right way to approach Holy Week? How do we make the most effective use of our time during the holiest week of the liturgical year?
Sing of Joseph, Strong and Gentle
In the person of St. Joseph, the Church has a beautiful contradiction to the boastful nature of much of society. Strong, quiet, and gentle, Joseph stands out as a model that all people—men and women alike—can and should strive to follow.