Forgotten Customs of Rogation Days
How many Catholics understand what is meant by the greater or lesser litanies, or by the expression “the Rogations” – clergy included?
I Left Eastern Orthodoxy for the Church Led by Pope Francis, and I Don’t Regret It
Editor’s note: thirteen years ago today, I received Holy Communion for the first time as a Roman Catholic. My journey from Protestantism to Eastern Orthodoxy to Rome is detailed in my forthcoming book published by St. Paul Center. I offer this article again in thanksgiving for God’s grace and thirteen years a member of the…
It’s Time to Purchase your Sacred Heart Flag for June
The heart and soul of Christendom is the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Get Ready for Sacred Heart Month
I wholeheartedly support and bless this necessary and very important lay initiative for eucharistic revival in the Church of our day. -Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Forgotten Customs of the Easter Octave and Eastertide
Easter itself is an 8-day celebration, and even after the Octave concludes on Low Sunday, the Easter Season lasts for a total of fifty days until the completion of Ascensiontide and the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. This period of time, especially for the Octave of Easter, is enriched with many rich customs all expressing the…
The Mystery of Passiontide and Holy Week
Above: Christus mit der heiligen Veronika auf dem Weg zum Kalvarienberg, possibly from the Danube school, c. 1520. From The Liturgical Year. The holy liturgy is rich in mystery during these days of the Church’s celebrating the anniversaries of so many wonderful events; but as the principal part of these mysteries is embodied in the…
Passiontide Begins
In virtue of this decree, each of these fifteen days was considered, as far as the courts of law were concerned, as a Sunday.
Forgotten Customs of St. Joseph
"I never knew any one who was particularly devout to him, that did not continually advance more and more in virtue."
The Little Way of Beauty
A key facet of the Little Way is blind surrender of our efforts to the Hand of God.
Christian Warfare: The Great Fast of Lent
Yesterday the world was busy in its pleasures, and the very children of God were taking a joyous farewell to mirth: but this morning, all is changed. The solemn announcement, spoken of by the prophet, has been proclaimed in Sion: the solemn fast of Lent, the season of expiation, the approach of the great anniversaries of…
Forgotten Customs of Lent
The observance of Lent is the very badge of Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of Christ. By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should men grow remiss in their observance…