Dear Father John, I want to love God with all my heart, but I don’t know where to start. How do I do this? LOVING GOD WITH all your heart means desiring him above all things and making your intimate, personal relationship with him into the highest priority of your life, the center around which … Read more
THE CHOICE OF NAZARETH “ And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled what was said by the Prophet, that He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23 1. St. Matthew has chosen almost all his incidents of the Nativity to show the fulfillment of prophecy. We know … Read more
Today is the memorial of St John Nepomucene Neumann, Philadelphia’s fourth bishop and our country’s first male saint. In celebration of his memorial, I’d like to introduce you to the National Shrine of St John Nepomucene Neumann, one of Philadelphia’s five shrines, and one of my favorites (they’re on Facebook, too!). The Life of St John Nepomucene Neumann … Read more
Otherworldly Series Baseball Coach Rich Donnelly Shows You Can Go Home Again Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever doubted the connection between souls in the Church Militant (that’s us) and souls in the next life, read and doubt no more… Baseball coach Rich Donnelly has a World Series story that is out of this world. Rich … Read more
FATIMA AND THE MIRACLE OF THE SUN Today is the 97th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, which occurred at Fatima in Portugal at the culmination of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions at the Cova da Iria to three little shepherd children–Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. For those not familiar … Read more
Dear Father John, if an individual has been Totally consecrated to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the St. Louis de Montfort method, done privately, 33 day retreat, confession, Mass and Day of Consecration pledge/vow/prayer, can this individual through the Association of Padre Pio still become a spiritual child of Padre Pio? I … Read more
Is it a Sin to Put Yourself Down? “Oh, I’m so inept! I can’t do anything right!” There are endless variations of the self-deprecating rants. They are dressed up like humility but smack of pride. The person announcing his failings probably does not boast and is instead seeking a humble path, but he unwittingly travels by … Read more
The Devil: Is He for Real? Why Does God Let Him Hang Around? Dear Father John, I’ve heard that talking about the devil is just a way to talk about bad things that happen. On the other hand, there are some people that claim there really is a devil. Is the devil for real? If … Read more
Dear Dan, I am Catholic. I committed grave sins when I was a teen that I have lived in guilt and anxiety over for almost two decades. I pray every day about them. I have prayed in church but I have never been to confession. I am afraid to go to confession because I am … Read more
Editor’s Note: The following post comes from a book by Fr. Bartunek published by Franciscan Media: “Answers: Catholic Advice for Your Spiritual Questions”. The questions and answers in this book are some of Father John’s best. Click here to learn more about the book…or if you wish to get it for a friend or relative who … Read more
Dear Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters,¨I have long been dealing with a deep sadness and lack of joy in life. The vortex of emotional suffering seems to revolve around my unanswered prayers for a spouse and romantic love, but when I look at myself honestly I see that I am not selfless enough to have been … Read more
Dear Father John, I have been struggling with some interior trials with forgiveness, resentment and jealousy. I call this “inner ugliness.” I have been praying fervently, going to confession, and receiving excellent spiritual direction. I have been willing myself to be charitable even when I am not feeling it. So here is my question. What … Read more
Two American Exorcists Weigh in on Reported Mexican Possessions There is one place where not even the most adventurous thrill seeker should tread: into the occult. Every exorcist will attest that even a little curiosity is dangerous because it opens one up to a world that is not always so easy to leave. According to … Read more
Dear Fr. John, thank you for “The Better Part“. I have kept up with all days following the calendar in the back. I treasure this book as it “lives” at my bedside ready to nourish and inspire. I especially have benefited from the entries where a figure from Scripture speaks in the first person. I … Read more
Editor’s Note: In Part I, we talked about what is going on with dryness or aridity in prayer. Today, we will look at our part in the struggle. A reader asks: Dear Father John, I have been praying (mental prayer) for a long time. But lately I seem to be experiencing dryness in my prayer … Read more
My original post on this topic was written when Catholic priests were especially singled out for severe and sometime even unjust criticism. The zeal and relish with which some impugned the priesthood in general went largely unanswered. There is also the broad supposition on the part of many that the priesthood is only about social … Read more
Editor’s Note: Today, Dr. Eric Johnston joins our team of writers. Dr. Johnston is an assistant professor of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey and we are blessed to have this contribution from him. Please welcome him warmly to our site. Traditionally, the Eucharistic Prayer is divided into the … Read more
Father Fortea, what is eternal death? The human soul, as a spiritual reality, is immortal (see Catechism paragraph 366). Like any spirit, it is not subject to decay or illness; it cannot grow old or wear out. No matter what sins people commit, their souls cannot die in a metaphysical sense. They will exist forever. … Read more
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