On May 9, the day after he was elected to the Chair of Peter, Pope Leo XIV gave his first homily as pontiff. Below is the full text of the homily he delivered to the College of Cardinals, in the Sistine Chapel. Source: America Magazine. [dropcaps...
On May 8, 2025, the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV gave his first "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and to the world") Apostolic Blessing. The first public appearance and official blessing by a new successor of Peter is a truly incredible moment, and it was...
San Bernardino of Siena (a.k.a. St. Bernadine of Siena) was a great Franciscan preacher from Tuscany who died in 1444. He was very successful at fostering devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus....
The papacy is an institution of that both Catholics and non-Catholics typically misunderstand. This papal primer provides an overview - What is the true job description of the Pope and what’s the origin and nature of his authority?...
For the proper interpretation of Scripture and to discern God's will, where do we turn for guidance, the teaching authority of the Church, or to the Holy Spirit? The Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 gives us some answers....
Because he was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Saint Matthias was chosen by the other apostles to take the place of Judas (Acts 1;15-26). Matthias is remembered by the Church each year on May 14, and reads this reflection on Matthias' call...
If God provides, then why is Murphy's Law a law that seems to apply even to devout Christians? Why to bad things happen to good people? Why so much resistance when we try to do God's will? This article seeks to show how trials...
In John 10, Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice. But clearly, his words provoked controversy and crisis. Some hung on his every word, others rejected them. His words raise many questions about the role of predestination, grace, freedom, confidence and perseverance. For the...
Saint Joseph always appears in Manger scenes during Advent and Easter time and even has a special Solemnity or Feast in his honor, St. Joseph's Day, March 19. This essay makes a case that St. Joseph teaches us some crucial things about the nature...
This excerpt from a Easter letter by St. Athanasius was written around 340 AD to prepare the people of Alexandria, Egypt for the celebration of the Paschal Feast of Easter. It clearly demonstrates the sacramental and liturgical nature of worship in the early church....