Every year at the thanksgiving table our family tradition is to allow each member to express what they are particularly thankful for. As the parents of four teens we have heard some pretty memorable responses. I will never forget the year that our daughter expressed thanks for her suffering. She said that she knew that … Read more
The enemy has no need to tempt those who float around in an apathetic slumber; he already owns them. The devil is occupied with those who work with fervor for the Kingdom of God. His first tactic is to find our greatest point of personal weakness and attack. It can be our health, our family, … Read more
Dear Father John, I am an at-home mom of 4 young children (none of them in school yet), and it feels terrible to admit, but I can’t help but feel sometimes that God means for me to do “more than this.” I am an attorney and practiced successfully for several years before getting married and … Read more
Meditation, A Matter of Life and Death… Life and Death “Meditation is the basis for acquiring all the virtues, and to undertake it is a matter of life and death for all Christians.” from St. Teresa of Avila (St. Teresa of Jesus) Mystic, Carmelite Reformer, and Doctor of the Church: Doctor of Prayer. Her thought, … Read more
Dear Friends, The spiritual well-being of our priests has been on my heart lately. After reading portions of early Church history this week I was reminded that there has never been a time in history when priests, bishops, and even popes, have not had a tremendous pull on them to be trapped in the midst … Read more
One of the greatest barriers to my conversion to Catholicism was Marian tradition. To be clear, it wasn’t Mary herself, it was common practice and teaching about Mary that was difficult for me to stomach. As recently as this summer I still had unresolved internal tensions regarding these traditions and my own daily commitment to … Read more
St. Teresa’s Prayer for All Saints’ Day “O holy souls that now rejoice without fear of losing your joy and are forever absorbed in the praises of my God! Happy indeed your lot! How right that you should employ yourselves ceaselessly in these praises! and how my soul envies you, free as you now … Read more
by Mark Shea Friday, October 29, 2010 Published with Permission National Catholic Register Come Sunday, we all celebrate Halloween again, that strange night of the year when, with one accord, American civilization dredges up all its darkest fears of the supernatural and waffles between scaring itself and laughing at the whole thing–nervously. It’s an odd … Read more
Dear Father Edward, when given the gift of infused contemplation, should there be any doubt that these are of God? My spiritual director has told me to listen and obey, write everything down, and if there are any doubts, to go back and read what the Lord has said and shown me. This has helped … Read more
Centering Prayer: What the Vatican has to say about it Has the Vatican ever addressed the topic of Centering Prayer or the teachings commonly held by those who advocate or practice Centering Prayer? Yes, the approach to prayer commonly referred to “Centering Prayer” has been formally and specifically addressed by the Congregation for the Doctrine … Read more
Dear Father John, As I read your excellent posts on indulgences. A question occurred to me. If a person were to perform these suggested spiritual exercises without asking for the indulgence, would he still obtain the indulgence? Also since no longer are there no longer specified “time outs” applied to the purgatory… how do we … Read more
If you are looking to better understand the scriptures through spiritual reading or study, there really is nothing out there that is anywhere close to the quality of this Bible. For a combination of faithfulness and usefulness, you can’t go wrong with this invaluable tool. Here’s the commercial… The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament … Read more
Dear Father Edward, how can I receive the gift of discernment? I have prayed and continue to do so, but I am not sure what comes from the Lord versus what is coming from me. Is there anything else that I should be doing? Like Solomon who requested the gift of wisdom, you are asking … Read more
Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of our series on plenary indulgences. You can find the previous installment in our series here. Based on your feedback and further consideration on the initial question, I thought I should share a few more thoughts on this topic. The Days of Our Indulgences I want to start with … Read more
A New Diagnosis of my Root Sin… I was back in my home state and surprised to get the call. I couldn’t imagine what it would be about. I was in the Texas emergency room one week earlier after air travel triggered debilitating imbalance so severe that I couldn’t even walk on my own. The … Read more
Dear Father John, Please explain Plenary Indulgences. If one confession fulfills the requirement of plenary indulgences 8 days before and 8 days after, it seems to me that if someone went to Communion everyday, prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father everyday and prayed the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament everyday, that she could … Read more
Dear Father John, please explain plenary indulgences. If one confession fulfills the requirement of plenary indulgences 8 days before and 8 days after, it seems to me that if someone went to Communion everyday, prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father everyday and prayed the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament everyday, that she could … Read more
Dear Father Todd, Popular culture says you’re successful when you have a huge house, a couple of late model cars in the driveway, wear designer clothes, and take luxury vacations to exotic places. If this materialistic vision is the definition of success, why are so many “successful” people so unhappy? It is so easy for us … Read more
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