What can the story of an all-powerful ring, a dark lord, a humble hobbit and his ragtag fellowship of companions teach us about the spiritual realities of the world and the ultimate meaning of life?   Renowned J.R.R. Tolkien scholar Joseph Pearce unlocked the answer to this question and much more in a Feb. 24 private lecture given at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Pearce has written three books about Tolkien's life and works, in addition to many others that

John Allen with Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. (Photo: Thomas S. Major via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0) Early Sunday morning, July 28, 2002, things were looking grim for the closing papal Mass of World Youth Day in Toronto. The previous four days had been a tremendous success, symbolized by hundreds of thousands of young people making the Way of the Cross up Toronto’s great north-south boulevard, University Avenue: an act of Christian witness the likes of which had never been

Mary at the Foot of the Cross by Elizabeth Zelasko. ( Denver Catholic file photo) The Catholic Church is today in the early stages of a nine-year novena , moving towards the 2,000th anniversary of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. As we journey toward that anniversary, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila had the idea of gathering the faithful in prayer around one sacred image , an icon to help lead us, year after year, deeper into the mystery of the Cross. READ MOR

Choosing a spouse might be the most important decision that you will make in your life. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Mark Sanders, LPC, CAS Lisa Smith, LPCC Grace Cole, LPC, LIMHP, CPC St. Raphael Counseling In our work as couples therapists at St. Raphael Counseling, we have seen the extremes. On the one hand, we have had clients who struggled in their relationship and even recognized red flags before getting married that they didn’t acknowledge at the time. On the other hand, we

From nihilism to radical ideologies, many young men are searching for purpose — and not finding it. (Photo: Unsplash, edited) So, what is going on with young men these days? I know, every generation in recent memory has asked the same question. Those young hooligans with their leather jackets. The hippies with their psychedelic vans. The weirdos in the parachute pants. But those young men, for the most part, seemed to grow up to marry and become productive members of society.

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Micah Ellalasingham, MFT-C St. Raphael Counseling Communication Breakdown As a Marriage and Family Therapist, the most common concern couples bring into the therapy room is some variation of “We can’t communicate.” Spouses, feeling unheard, are seeking the “tools” to fix it. However, within the session, a deeper pattern usually emerges. When couples say, “We need to work on communication,” what they often mean is, “I want you to listen to me and fulfil

Entering the Special Year of St. Francis through poverty, death and joy in Christ St. Francis of Assisi in His Tomb , 1630/34 by Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598–1664). Oil on canvas. Milwaukee Art Museum. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) With our coattails nearly brushing the closing Jubilee Doors, Pope Leo has proclaimed a Special Year of St. Francis of Assisi . From January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the faithful who, along with the usual sacraments, unde

In this fourth installment of our series on sacred and religious artists, a local iconographer and Denver Catholic columnist reflects on the interplay between truth and beauty and how both can lead us to Heaven. (Photo provided) By Joe Donelson “I want more people to stop and look at art again,” said artist, iconographer and Denver Catholic columnist   Elizabeth Zelasko. As a frequent collaborator with churches and religious institutions in the development of sacred art for s

In this third installment of our series, Casey Batt reflects on her journey, through job loss, prayer and parish life, to painting God's healing grace at All Souls Parish in Englewood. Casey Batt paints the Wedding at Cana in her home studio. The painting was installed at All Souls Parish in Englewood, as part of the parish's recent renovation and rededication. (Photo by Matt Walker) By Matt Walker After 18 years, Casey Batt lost her job when her company laid off thousands of

In the second installment of our series on sacred and religious artists, the Denver couple reflects on vocation, marriage and creating beauty for God. Nicole and Mark Thomason, pictured here with their five sons at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, are local artists that blend faith and contemporary art. (Photo provided) As a graduate student in theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Mark Thomason bought himself some

The film's Catholic Technical Consultant reacts to "Wake Up Dead Man" and some of the online reception. When faith shows up in popular culture, it often sparks curiosity — and sometimes controversy. But for Catholics in Northern Colorado, the conversation around Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery  feels a little closer to home. That’s because Father Scott Bailey, pastor of Risen Christ Parish in Denver, recently shared his reflections on the film in a new YouTube video. T

In this first installment of our series on Catholic religious and sacred artists, meet Catholic artist Brie Schulze and the vocation behind her sacred work. Brie Schulze, a local Catholic artist, seeks to bring others into an encounter with God and his saints through her art. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat, courtesy of Brie Schulze) By Gennie O'Gara For local Catholic artist Brie Schulze, good art centers on a personal relationship with God. Meditating on sacred art serves as a

A Catholic reflection on communion, identity and resisting the lies that isolate us. (Photo: Stranger Things ' Facebook page) By Catriona Kerwin I’m not usually a fan of science fiction or horror, but the Netflix original series, Stranger Things , has recently captured my heart and imagination.  Reader, be warned — it is not a Catholic series, nor is it appropriate for all audiences. The series contains violence, excessive gore, mature content and themes that are inconsistent

(Photo: Unsplash) What would the collapse of civilization look like? We might immediately think of cutoff utilities, disruptions in the supply chain, violence in the streets and the lack of functional government. While it’s true these might serve as external indicators of a functioning modern society, they do not constitute the essence of civilization. A civilized person doesn’t just live in the city (the civitas that gives civilization its name) but conforms to an ideal of c

A Colorado Catholic artist explains the symbolism behind sacred icons, especially those depicting Mary, and invites us to step into the divine mystery. Our Lady of the Sign from Yaroslavl, Kiev School, c. 1114. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) So, what is an icon actually? I give talks all around the country on the topic, so if you don’t know what an icon is, please know that you are not alone! I get asked this question often. Simply put, icon means “image.” In the

‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’ and ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ blend faith, humor and humanity in stories that continue to lift spirits at Christmastime. L to R: ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’ and ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ (Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Productions/RKO Pictures; free Canva background, Register illustration) By Joseph Pronechen/National Catholic Register The Christmas season brings with it some enjoyable films, the best of which move and cheer hearts while reminding viewers what is important

The beloved holiday film’s church scenes, misunderstood neighbor and surprising rescue reveal a deeper Catholic story hiding in plain sight. (Photo courtesy of Home Alone's Facebook page) By Gigi Duncan/National Catholic Register More than 30 years after its release, Home Alone remains cherished as pure Christmas fun: slapstick booby traps, a wisecracking 8-year-old, and two burglars who refuse to quit despite the bodily harm they sustain along the way. Yet woven into the mo

Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man is a moving depiction of the faith in the modern age.   (Photo courtesy of Wake Up Dead Man 's social media) Wake Up Dead Man is the best movie I’ve seen in theaters in a while.   Since seeing the movie before Thanksgiving with Risen Christ Parish in Denver, I’ve been talking it up to friends nonstop. Just this past weekend, some friends shared that they’d seen it and were floored. One, who hadn’t read the Denver Catholic in a bit, even comme

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Michelle Connor Harris, Psy.D. Executive Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Bring to mind your best Christmas memory. Was it receiving a particular gift that you longed for? Decorating the Christmas tree? Maybe it was baking Christmas cookies with your mom and getting to lick the last bit of frosting from the spatula. If you’re a parent, perhaps you recall the giddy anticipation of your children on Christmas Eve and their

In a weary world, his unapologetic joy reveals the bold hope Christmas demands of us. (Photo courtesy of Elf 's Facebook page) Those who know me know that I am obsessed with the movie Elf . Like I can quote the whole thing obsessed. It’s a weird thing to admit in writing, in a Catholic magazine, I know, but stay with me. Beyond how absolutely hilarious I’ve always found the movie to be, and the magic of New York City at Christmastime, there’s something deeper that’s always ca