November is the traditional month we as Catholics ponder the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. As we celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1 and pray for all the souls in Purgatory on November 2, God draws our hearts to ponder the brevity of this life, the urgency of conversion, the beauty of eternity with God, and the possibility of losing our salvation through habitual mortal sin without repentance.
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The Church and religious freedom
The United States Constitution guarantees religious freedom in the First Amendment.
This fundamental right propelled many persecuted religious groups in Europe (including the Catholics who settled Maryland) to come to America in pursuit of religious liberty — the ability to practice their own faith as their conscience led them.
Devotion to His Sacred Heart
The feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is celebrated on October 16. On December 27, 1673, after another day of prayer and work was finished in the convent, St. Margaret Mary was praying alone in the chapel when the Sacred Heart appeared to her. Jesus’ body was filled with light and His Heart was on fire, bleeding and crowned with thorns.
The power of forgiveness
We all know that reconciliation and forgiveness lie at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus came to seek out and save what was lost, namely broken humanity, and to reconcile us to the Father and to one another.
How we can be led to Jesus
A recurrent debate on Catholic social media is the question of saintly intercession.
Dry those tears and learn to trust
Do you trust in Our Lord Do you trust in His promises? Do you trust in His plans for you? Do you trust in Our Lady’s ability to intercede for you? Do you?
Then dry your tears and say your prayers again. This time not just with the words on your lips, but with all that is within you and with the deepest surrender of your heart.
Trust makes all the difference.
The mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul falls on September 27. Born in France in 1581, Vincent was ordained a priest in 1600 and committed his life to the formation of the clergy and the service of the poor.
Shout-outs to my guardian angel
Guardian angel, thank you for everything, especially your extreme patience as we make this journey together.
What is truth?
The dictionary definition of “truth” is “actuality” and “a body of real things, events, and facts.” As Christians, we know that Truth is a person, Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of the reality of God, come to us in human form.
Some assembly is required
Perhaps the most critical of the creative projects we’re tasked with is that ongoing process of self-assembly; we’ve been given a part in the process but a successful outcome depends on us following His directions, His instructions written on our hearts.