Mother of the Church

"Mother of the Church" extends Mary's relationship with Christ to each of us--as our mother, and as the Mediatrix of All Grace.

The Bodily Assumption of Mary

While not a "singular privilege," the Assumption of Mary is a suitable compliment to Our Lady's great holiness and a glimpse at heaven itself.

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary is difficult for contemporary culture to accept. But there is much to be gained in pondering this miracle.

Mary's Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception--a singular decree of Providence--not only gives us an insight into Mary, but into the nature of sin, grace, salvation, and redemption.

The Divine Maternity of Mary

What does it mean to be the "Mother of God"?

Secularism is Anything but Secular: A Conversation with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty

Fr. Ambrose and Dr. Aaron Kheriaty confront the philosophical, social, and spiritual (yes, really!) tenants of secularism.

Feasting with the Whole Church this Hallowtide

For all secular culture's efforts, Halloween remains a holy feast, and a great opportunity to celebrate as only Catholics can … and should!

Why Do We Process?

The liturgical and devotional life of Catholic Christians is marked on all sides by the practice of processions.

The Power of Feasting!

Catholics love a good party - and for good reason. Regular feasts provide needed foil to our fasting, lift our spirits for spiritual causes, and give us a foretaste of the community, celebration, and joy that is promised to us in heaven.

Plenary Indulgences in November

November gives us the occasion to remember and pray for the dead in a special way.

Key Five: Wisdom

Wisdom is the knowledge that comes through loving union. We become wise, able to judge spiritual things and the highest things in relation to our life and other people, because of our union with God. The wise person is never overcome with fear.

Key Four: Generosity

Generosity is practicing an open heart and a willingness to make use of our time, talent, and treasure – putting these in the service of others. Our Lord says, "by this they will know that you are my disciples, by the love you have for one another."

Key Three: Beauty

Beauty is compelling. People are drawn to beautiful things. In this new episode of 5 Keys to a True Catholic Life, Fr. Hugh and Fr. Ambrose discuss the importance of beauty in the spaces so dear to us–our homes and places of worship.

Key Two: Hospitality

When we receive guests, we receive Christ! Hospitality is a hallmark of Catholic culture, but its value runs much deeper than that.

Key One: Goodness

We should be taken up each morning by the joy of our practice of the faith, and let that spread to others by our cheerful demeanor, by our kindness, by our refusal to be hypercritical or sullen in our dealings with others.

Seeing Mary Through the Mind of Christ

Christians--especially non-Catholics--have differing opinions about how best to honor Mary. A good way to cut through the confusion, says Fr. Hugh, is to encounter Mary through the heart of Her Son.

Why the Church Celebrates Mary's Immaculate Conception

One cannot help but wonder why God had waited 1854 years before He had His Church proclaim the Immaculate Conception a revealed dogma of the faith.

Catholic Feminism

As several of my priest confreres have heard ad nauseam already, I just finished an online theology course tangentially related to my more serious canon law studies.

This Blood Is Christ

“This is the Chalice of My Blood, of the New and Eternal Covenant which will be poured out for you and for many…” How many times have we knelt at Holy Mass when these words were pronounced by the priest over the wine?

Journey with Christ Through the Triduum Liturgies

We encounter Christ's Passion in every Mass, but the liturgies of Holy Week make the reality of Christ's Passion so clear to us.

Why Did God Have to Die?

Is it true that Our Lord's Crucifixion is also the death of God? And did Jesus really have to die for our sins?

True God and True Man

As unimaginable as it may seem, the unchanging God has taken to himself a human nature in order to suffer like us and for us.

A Wonderful Exchange

God becoming man is only one side of the equation. He became one with us so that we could become one with him. God became man so that men might become gods.

An Echoing Fiat

The feast of the Annunciation celebrates the very moment in which the divine and human natures came together in Jesus Christ.

The Veiling of Sacred Images in Passiontide

In a counterintuitive action, the Church has us veil the images that depict Christ and the saints during Passiontide. If we are focusing on His Passion, why are we veiling these images?

Why Do We Fast?

Fasting can be a challenge. But far more than a set of rules, true fasting is an act of generosity.

Understanding Divine Revelation

Confused about Divine Revelation? Fathers Sebastian and Ambrose sift through some common misconceptions in this short video.

And the Word Became Flesh

God is born of man -- and man becomes a child of God! Fr. Hugh and Fr. Ambrose dive into the joy and mystery of the Prologue of the Gospel according to St. John.

Five Things Every Catholic Should Know

A Conversation with Fr. Ambrose and Fr. Sebastian

Five Ways to Prepare for Lent

Lent will be here before you know it! Are you ready? Fr. Claude and Fr. Ambrose look at how we can prepare for this holy season.

The Sacraments

The Sacred: Veiled and Revealed

Catholic sacred spaces hold two things in tension: that which is visible and that which is held in mystery.

What Is the Trinity?

Catholic vs. Protestant Theology - The Fundamental Difference

What Is the Mass?

If My Child Has Fallen Away From the Faith...

What Is Marriage

The understanding of marriage and family in western culture has changed significantly in the past thirty years. What used to be taken for granted is now challenged and even rejected.

The Difference Between Theological and Moral Virtues

Christian Citizenship

St. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians today with the words: “[Know] brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.” We were chosen without any merit on our part. We were loved first.

What Constitutes a Just War?

Can making war be justified? The answer of the whole of Christian tradition is “Yes.” But is there a problem with our modern notion and practice of warfare? The Christian answer to this question is also “Yes.”

The Most Pressing Issue in the Church Today

The Holy Spirit

Who Are the Saints?

The Gift of Indulgences

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Why We Appropriate Creation to the Father

The Lives of the Saints

Why Confession?

Church and State

The dedication anniversary of the Roman cathedral, the Lateran Basilica, since it is the head and mother of all churches throughout the world, offers us an opportunity to examine the mystery of the Church.

Catholics in Politics

Watch as Fr. Sebastian goes through the four arguments against “being Catholic” in public

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Understanding "Consubstantial"

What Does It Mean for Priests to Retain Sins?

What Makes an Act Good?