Ambrose here provides a fascinating glimpse into the rites preceding baptism in 4th century Milan as well as into the adult catechesis (RCIA) of the early Church in which direct discussion of the sacraments, mystagogia, was given only after people had already received the sacraments...
All the baptized share in a very real way in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Yet the baptismal priesthood of the laity in no way means that ordained priests don't also have an essential and irreplaceable role....
In this beautiful prayer, read by the Church each year on June 9, the feast of St. Ephrem, we see the sacraments as a reflection of the light of the resurrection, an experience of the divine beauty which brings us delight....
The profound origin and meaning of the sign of the cross is just one example of the depth and richness of the Catholic Tradition. It invites us to rediscover and reappropriate our heritage....
In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses with Anna Mitchell the various layers of meaning of the sign of the cross, one of the biblical treasures of the Catholic tradition. The sign of the cross is one of the hallmarks of Catholic life and prayer. ...
[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he Jews were absolutely unique in the Ancient world. Not only did their religion forbid them to worship gods other than the Lord, but their prophets actually taught that the gods of the nations were mere figments of the imagination. They did...
In this excerpt from a popular video Bible study, Dr. Italy and Jeff Cavins discuss the paradox of why the sinless Jesus of Nazareth had to be baptized by John the Baptist. The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance from sin. Christian baptism is...
Leo the Great teaches that he sign of the cross with the oil called chrism, conferred on all Christians in baptism and confirmation, makes all sharers in the priesthood and kingship of Christ, the anointed one....
Hilary of Poitiers, describes how new Christians in 4th Century France typically felt innundated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon their baptism, Confirmation, & first Eucharist: a sense of joy and the release of the 7 gifts and charisms....
Didymus the Blind shows how the spiritual fire and living water of the Holy Spirit give us new birth and transform us into new men and women, sharers in the divine glory and co-heirs with Christ....