BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL ON THE EUCHARIST AS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE CHURCH'S LIFE AND MISSION INDEX Introduction [1] The food of truth [2] The development of the eucharistic rite [3] The Synod of Bishops and the Year of the Eucharist [4] The purpose of the present...
The symbolic meaning of the sacrament of baptism according to Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop of Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century and one of the most important sources we have for how the church celebrated the sacraments during that era. In his...
What exactly does the Catholic Church teach about sex, marriage, divorce, and annulments? This article is a introduction to understanding Catholic teaching about these emotional and complicated topics....
In Advent 2011, the English Translation of the Mass was changed. One of the most noticeable changes was in the Penitential prayer in the beginning of the service known as the Confiteor. Why all of a sudden did we begin beating our breast and saying...
Sacramentals -- what are they and what role do they play in Catholic liturgical life? Are they devotional articles or objects of popular devotion like scapulars, or are they blessings? Can they be found in the Bible, either the Old or New Testament? Were...
This article on the importance of the charisms of the Holy Spirit, the supernatural gifts of grace, is helpful for all Christians at all stages of development. But it is especially valuable for those preparing for or teaching about the sacrament of confirmation....
On Baptism Tertullian Early Church Father [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']C[/dropcaps]HAPTER 1 Introduction. Origin of the treatise. Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life! A treatise on this matter will...
This reflection on baptism as illumination or enlightenment was written by St. Justin Martyr around 155AD in Rome and reflects the liturgical practices of not only the Church in that city, but most probably the practice of the Church in Ephesus and Palestine as well,...
Video explaining the fascinating relationship between liturgy and Tradition, by Dr. Italy. Video #5 in his course on Liturgy and Sacraments for the Catholic Distance University. The liturgy of the Catholic Church arises from Scripture and is itself full of scripture readings and scriptural prayers. But...