What to Give Up and Take Up for Lent (Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving)
When I was really little, sometimes my Mom would sing us this little tune to remind us of the big liturgical season coming upon us: “Lent, Lent, it's time to...
The Feast of St. Peter's Chair
Several years ago, as an eager Confirmation student, I remember paging through The Book of Saints. I attempted to get a snapshot of several Saints to help me determine who...
Our Lady and Lourdes and Her Love of Healing
Today marks a feast day in the Church that gives much solace and hope to my heart. It is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is the day...
St. Josephine Bakhita + Other Black Saints
Right before His Ascension, Jesus tells His Apostles, to “...make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18). After an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles went and did just that....
The Feast of St. Blaise + the Blessing of the Throats
Although any farm-kid will tell you that there are limitations to being tied to the land, I have always romanticized it. I love the stability and commitment to a particular...
Loving the Hearts of Our Youth (a la St. John Bosco)
For a brief period of time in my young adult life I explored a vocation as a high school science teacher. As I immersed myself in the day-to-day joys and...
Give Chase to Chastity with the Help of St. Thomas Aquinas
It’s important to start a piece on chastity by pointing out that sex is a very good thing. It’s mysterious, making a union of man and woman while also allowing...
3 Simple Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales
Happy Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales! For the past two years, I have called upon St. Francis de Sales’ intercession often. St. Francis de Sales is responsible for...
Living Our Baptismal Identity and the Universal Call to Holiness
When St. John the Baptist baptized his cousin in the Jordan River, the heavens opened above Jesus and God the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I...
Witness of the Epiphany
Did you know that Catholics officially celebrate Christmas through the beginning of January? The feast day which marks the end of this season is the Epiphany, which takes place on...
Secondary Infertility: Finding Peace through the Holy Family
I will never forget the moment I first heard about secondary infertility. It was earlier this summer when I was lying next to my two-year-old son, Peter, during his nap....
How to Have a Fun and Holy New Year's Eve
One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas and New Year’s. The celebration of a new year is rich with hope and new possibilities. There is a sense...