Saint Leo the Great on meditating upon Christ Crucified as a way of showing reverence for our Lord's passion and sharing in the victory of the cross. We must recognize that in taking our human nature to Calvary and then to the Father's right hand,...
The following are just a few verified quotes from Edith Stein, aka St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, martyr of Auschwitz and co-patron of Europe. “God is Truth. All who seek truth seek God, whether this is clear to them or not.” Edith Stein, Letter 259 “Prayer is...
The gospel story of the healing of the man born blind is notable for the method Jesus used to work this miracle - he made mud with spittle and clay and rubbed it on the man's eyes. This is a figure of the sacraments...
Lenten fasting works best when accompanied by almsgiving and works of mercy, says Leo the Great, writing around AD 450. This powerful combination brings healing, spiritual renewal, and progress in virtue....
The call of Abraham and the Transfiguration of Jesus are presented to us on the 2nd Sunday of Lent because they teach us about how to approach hardship and suffering with faith and hope....
The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert is the gospel of the first Sunday of Lent. The purple color of Lent symbolizes penance, but also royalty. As we remember how the first Adam was tempted and failed his test, we rejoice that...
Cyril, speaking to new Christians in Jerusalem around AD 360, explains why the Church is called catholic. The word "catholic" comes from the Greek word meaning "whole," "entire," or "all." After explaining the meaning of catholic, Cyril goes on to explain the meaning...
An anonymous account of the last days of St. Cyril, brother of Methodius. The two brothers brought the gospel to the Slavic People in the 9th Century. Their feast is February 14, Valentine's Day....
This 2004 instruction from the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is entitled Redemptionis Sacramentum. It addresses certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Mass, otherwise known as the most holy Eucharist, the sacrament of our...
You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, proclaims Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. This seems to indicate that there is an essential role for passion, excitement and fire in the Christian life....