Why we need the Holy Spirit
St. Simeon the Stylite: Guinness Book World record for pole sitting
We certainly are not providing any pilgrimages to Syria these days, but we thought the story would be an interesting one. Enjoy. (ZionsvilleCurrent, by Don Knebel) One of the world’s oldest churches honors a fifth-century ascetic whose record for endurance has remained unbroken. The church itself originated a design that is still emulated. The person … Read More
Pope Francis: Vatican to announce decision on Medjugorje
(OSV) — Pope Francis said the Vatican was ready to make an announcement concerning the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith met recently to discuss the issue and “we’ve reached the point of making a decision and then they will say,” he told journalists on the flight … Read More
Top 10 Catholic Cities exude Faith in their history, landscape and cultures
(by Gretchen R. Crowe, OSV Newsweekly) Ready for some Catholic sightseeing? Based on culture, history, physical landscape and spirituality, the following list of Top 10 U.S. Catholic Cities — listed in no particular order — highlights American hubs with a Catholic pulse. Each location, whether it be large or small, east or west, contributes to the richness … Read More
Watch the largest liturgical censer in the world fly at almost 44 mph!
(Aleteia) At the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, there is a very special liturgical censer—the largest in the world, in fact. It’s almost five feet tall and weighs 117 lbs. It is raised to over 65 feet high in the air by ropes in order to dispense incense throughout the cathedral and can … Read More
8 things that fit INSIDE St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
By John White, CatholicVote.com – Next Saturday (June 29) will mark the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. As the universal Church prepares to honor two of her greatest saints, Catholics around the world will be asking themselves the same question that they do every year around this time: What huge things could … Read More
Lent Day 42 – Flowers in the Desert
We began these daily Lent reflections by noting how Lent takes us into a spiritual desert. Biblical people knew all about the desert: Abraham has to cross it to get to the promised land; Moses and the Israelite people have to go through it to get home; Joseph is sent into Egypt and prison before … Read More
Lent Day 11 – St. Thomas More and the Theo-drama
The late Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, whom I mentioned yesterday, often spoke of the “theo-drama.” This is the drama written and directed by God and involving every creature in the cosmos. On the grand stage that is the created universe, we are invited to “act,” to find and play our role in God’s … Read More
St. John, the Beloved
As I reflected on today’s feast of St. John, and its placement in the Octave of Christmas, I was struck again by the delicate layers of insight the Spirit gives to the Church in our liturgical life. Even before we ponder the poetic proclamation of witness in the first reading, the placing of the feast … Read More
Thanksgiving Meditation
In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 This Gospel Acclamation for Thanksgiving Day can be a challenge at times. There may be parts of our lives for which we are not thankful – death, destruction, uncertainty, violence, sadness, hurt – and … Read More
The narrow gate opens wide his arms – Sunday’s reading reflection
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24 What does the image of a door say to us about the kingdom of God? Jesus’ story about the door being shut to those who come too late suggests they had … Read More
Our Lady of Knock new feast day, August 17th, tomorrow!
New Feast Day for Knock The Vatican has approved a new Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock and this is the 17th August every year. It will be listed in the new Roman Missal and has it’s own new Memorial Mass. The reason why the 17th August was chosen is that the 21st August … Read More
Like the Gateway Arch, discipleship can SEEM simple – Tomorrow’s reading reflection
“…with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.” Capstones are different from keystones, a fact I recently learned. A keystone is used at the apex of a structure to hold it together, as seen below: A capstone is used atop a structure to decorate and/or protect it from the elements. The difference can be seen below: … Read More
Widow of Nain
This Gospel tells the story of Jesus encountering the widow of Nain. The encounter was bitterly painful. We hear that Jesus took pity on the woman when he saw her. Pity, not in the present condescending understanding of the word but in its original meaning. Jesus sympathized with her because he too was suffering from … Read More
La Virgencita, Patroness of the Americas
Mexico City can be an intimidating to fly into. It’s not like San Diego when you are still flying but you’re able to see people at work through their office windows… above you. Or like Washington D.C. when your ears pop and you transition from horizontal to vertical to horizontal within thirty seconds. What makes … Read More