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Pope Leo XIV greets people as he rides in the popemobile before celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 1, 2025, as part of the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez) The Church has always taught that the Gospel bears social implications, shaping how Christians live in the world. Catholic Social Teaching (CST), however, developed only when the fabric of Christendom — the legacy of Christian culture — had worn th

(Photo: Lightstock) In the modern world, we take our food for granted. God made it clear to the Israelites, however, that the fruit of the harvest would serve as a sign of his blessing. He wanted to lead his people and bless them abundantly, if only they would let him: “If you live in accordance with my statutes and are careful to observe my commandments, I will give you your rains in due season, so that the land will yield its crops, and the trees their fruit; your thresh

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the gift of religious freedom remains as relevant, radical and necessary as ever. (Photo: Lightstock) Even before the founding of the United States, America was known as a land of liberty, particularly for religious minorities fleeing persecution. This included Catholics, who founded one of the original thirteen colonies. Unlike for other religious groups, however, the promise of religious freedom often fell short for C

As the United States marks 250 years, the story of Franciscan missionary Francisco Garcés reveals a Catholic legacy that helped shape the American Southwest. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) After writing about Escalante and Dominguez’s exploration of Colorado, I unexpectedly found myself driving Route 66 across Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona (as the road celebrates its own centennial). Providentially, I was already reading an account of a great missionary and m

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Archbishop-designate James Golka pray together in Christ the King Chapel at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) This last year, the world watched as the cardinals gathered in Rome for the election of a new pope, the 267 th bishop of Rome. New York recently received a new archbishop, and Denver is preparing for one as well. We are witnessing apostolic succession in action, extending an unbroken chain of bishops

Why contemplating Christ’s first nine months reveals the dignity of unborn life — and deepens our Advent devotion. (Photo: Lightstock) Advent draws us to contemplate Christ’s first coming, even as we expect his coming again in glory. The season contains an almost incomprehensible reality: God has become man, “infinity dwindled to infancy,” as Gerard Manley Hopkins put it. Israel’s centuries-long yearning for the Messiah blossomed in the first Advent as Our Lady became God’s t

Portrait of St. Benedict of Nursia by Herman Nieg, c. 1926. (Photo: Georges Jansoone/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain) Lent shouldn’t be...

The Garden of Eden by Robert S. Duncanson (c. 1852). (Photo: Public Domain) We often ask what God wants for us. Even if he doesn’t often...

An aerial view of the Abbey of Fontgombault. (Photo: Pierre Mairé/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5) In his Rule , St. Benedict remarks that a...

Winds of about 30 miles an hour, I read, checking the weather the evening of September 26th. The next morning, after a calm hour of...

“It’s the economy, stupid.” That’s what we’ve heard really matters in our elections. Economic growth and the consequent effects on our...

Classical education has exploded in the last ten years, and for good reason. Education has descended into a utilitarian pursuit, though...

“Make everything you can a sacrifice.” – The Angel of Portugal to the three Fatima children Sacrifice stands before us as the hidden key...

After writing about mission and the call to holiness , I was asked to answer this question: “How did extraordinary ministers of holy...

“The most powerful experience at the National Eucharistic Congress was the Adoration, Father. Tens of thousands of people all turned...

Why aren’t we holy? God, in fact, wills that we become holy: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thes 4:3). So why...

Temptations in a fallen city, memories of a beautiful woman, a poisoned chalice, the attacks of an envious priest, curses from a pagan...

“Dad, I’m sorry I haven’t been in better touch.” We were sitting on the porch late at night, two blocks from the beach, with the waves...

I want to be someone who matters. I want to make a difference, to do something great. “I have my mission.” This is how St. John Henry...

The modern world pushes its own gospel that focuses on the “self.” There is no need to fear God, for he is merciful. Follow your heart...