Bonaventure reflects on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the meaning of the blood and water flowing from the side of Christ crucified (John 19:34), the living water of sacramental grace coming from the loving heart of the Savior. He reflects especially on several lines...
The concept of Mary as "Mother of the Church" has been around since the time of the early Church Fathers. As the Virgin Mary is the Mother of Christ, the Head of the Church, so also is she Mother of the Church, his Mystical...
Liturgy and Sacraments Video #8. In this session, Dr. Italy discusses the history of the Temporal Cycle of the Catholic Liturgical Year which includes Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time and the important weekly commemoration of Christ's passion on Fridays and Resurrection on the Lord's...
Liturgy and Sacraments Video #10. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio (Dr. Italy) discusses the origins, history and development of the Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office, in the daily prayers and temple sacrifices of Ancient Israel. He then goes on to explain how the Liturgy...
Liturgy and Sacraments Video #9. In addition to the special seasons of Advent and Lent, Christmas and Easter, there is in the current Roman Calendar "Ordinary Time" during which saints' days abound. The cycle of memorials, feasts and Solemnities of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin...
February 2 is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the Temple. It is known as Candlemass since it is the day that candles are blessed for use throughout the Church year....
In this video, Dr. Italy discusses Augustine's fight against both Manicheans and Pelagians defending free will on the one hand and the utter necessity of grace on the other in light of original sin....
John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This title, so prominent in the Mass, illumines the meaning of Christ's passion, recalling the first Passover remembered every year during Holy Week and...
This short rite of blessing is one of the sacramentals, official liturgical prayer, though it may be led by lay people. It is perfect for the blessing of the Advent wreath in a home. This brief service is a wonderful way to begin a family’s...
The Feast of the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome on November 9th raises an important question: "why do Roman Catholics and other Christians spend so much money on Church buildings when it is the people who are the true Church and...