St. John Chrysostom was characterized by his enriching homilies. He spoke clearly and directly and he achieved great conversions. But beyond his “golden mouth,” he should be remembered for his great love for the poor, his austere life, his pastoral zeal, and his forgiveness of his enemies. Today, we share with you some important facts Read More…

On Friday, September 22, the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton celebrated the grand opening of its new, $4 million museum and visitor’s center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The first American-born saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton converted to Catholicism after the death of her beloved husband, William, in 1803. She entered the Catholic Church in 1805, Read More…

He may be old enough to retire — apostolic nuncios can retire at 70 — but Archbishop Christophe Pierre is still on his mission in the prestigious and strategic position of nuncio to the United States. At 77, the native of Rennes (France) is about to receive the cardinal’s biretta, a mark of the Argentine Read More…

From September 22 to 23, 2023, Pope Francis visited the southern French city of Marseille to attend the third edition of the Mediterranean Encounters, a meeting gathering young people, bishops, and other Catholic and religious leaders to discuss the issues facing this region today. In his speech at the final session of the Encounters, he Read More…

Pope Francis is urging the faithful to get back to adoration, and to use time with Jesus in the Eucharist to intercede for others. During his intense 27-hour trip to Marseille, France, on Friday and Saturday, the Holy Father had the opportunity to meet with the local clergy. After reflecting on how Jesus’ gaze — Read More…

We know we ought to pray, but it’s not easy to get started. Prayer can be intimidating, especially when it’s not a regular habit.  Yet we know it’s so important to pray: Conversation with God builds our friendship and love for him.  St. John Chrysostom said, “Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, Read More…

A recent video shared on TikTok will tug at your heartstrings and make you want to reach out to your siblings as soon as you can. In the short reel that has been viewed over 2.5 million times, a pair of sisters are spending a final visit together. When Barbara, 94, from New Hampshire, celebrated Read More…

Early on Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis visited the Italian Senate to pay respects to Giorgio Napolitano, Italian President from 2006 to 2015, who passed away at the age of 98 on September 22, 2023. In a note sent to Napolitano’s wife, Pope Francis praised the politician’s “humanity” and “farsightedness.”  “The passing away of your husband, Read More…

On September 21, 2018, just five years ago, the beatification process for Chiara Corbella Petrillo was opened. A few months earlier, Cardinal Angelo de Donatis had proclaimed her a Servant of God. In the course of her life, Chiara (1984-2012), a young Italian woman, and her husband Enrico experienced some very difficult situations, including the Read More…

Every Thursday afternoon, hundreds of faculty, staff, and students gather for a Eucharistic Hour at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. I try not to write too often about the college where I work, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. But what is happening at the college in this year of Eucharistic Revival is truly astounding. “I Read More…

As Pope Francis was with the president of France over the weekend and that country nears legalizing assisted suicide, the Holy Father reiterated his defense of human life, both in the womb, and for the elderly and disabled. The Pope spoke about euthanasia on the plane ride home from Marseille, France, when a journalist asked Read More…

A Mexican court ruling in early September that supposedly decriminalizes abortion might not be what it’s been made out to be, a pro-life population think tank is explaining. Associated Press and other media reported September 6 that Mexico’s Supreme Court threw out all federal criminal penalties for abortion. The ruling, according to AP, says that Read More…

On September 20, 2023, members of the UN General Assembly held a high-level meeting in which they discussed a variety of world issues, including pandemic prevention, preparedness, and global response. In attendance at the meeting, representing the Vatican, was Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, who offered the perspective of the Church on such important matters.  The Read More…

The rise of the “nones,” people who claim no religious affiliation, has pervaded just about every demographic in America, leaving many religious groups in a crisis situation where the future of their worship attendance is in question. A report from Pew Research Center, based on data from 2020, estimated that “nones” currently account for 30% Read More…

Addiction is a vicious beast, a disease that emerges from profound emotional pain and that is very hard to overcome.  At the same time, those who struggle with addiction must never be defined by this battle. There is so much more to every human person than their struggles.  “We do not define people with broken Read More…

There are so many names to choose from when deciding the perfect one for your little cherub that it can get a little befuddling. So, we decided to focus on names that represent the foundation of our Christian beliefs: faith. If you take a look at the names below, you’ll notice not only are most Read More…

I’m just going to come out and say this. Sometimes, when you’re a writer, you simply have to grit your teeth and make a blunt statement. Prestige television — the high-toned, sophisticated dramas that win all the awards — is boring. Not all of it, to be sure, but enough that I started to grow Read More…

Here is the Pope’s message, with the theme: Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay ~ Dear brothers and sisters! The migratory flows of our times are the expression of a complex and varied phenomenon that, to be properly understood, requires a careful analysis of every aspect of its different stages, from departure Read More…

Until a decade ago, the Catacombs of St. Gaudiosus, a system of underground caves where early Catholics would gather to honor their dead, was largely unknown to the general public. Today, it is a tourist spot attracting curious visitors from all over the world. The stunning frescoes preserved in the catacombs are now for everyone Read More…

Archaeological excavations in the 1,600-year-old Late Roman synagogue of Huqoq (an ancient Jewish village in Israel’s Lower Galilee) are the gift that keeps on giving. As the 11th and final season of excavations in the site comes to an end, the team of specialists led by Professor Jodi Magness, from the University of North Carolina at Read More…