A lovely, if often overlooked, element in preparation for the sacrament of marriage as a Catholic is the Rite of Betrothal offered by the Church. My fiancé and I were thrilled by the opportunity to participate in this rite in the midst of our engagement and wedding planning. If you are unfamiliar, the Rite of ...read more

Read the full text of Pope Francis' homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the 55th World Day of Peace on January 1, 2022. ...read more

? Do you ever get the feeling that you’re not in control of your life? So often we can try to take the driver’s seat, to be in charge of where we’re heading. We can be unsettled when something unexpected happens or disappointed when things don’t go our way. It’s a normal part of being ...read more

Come, Flower of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: save us without delay! When I think of this antiphon I can’t help but think of Mary. In fact, I would consider that this O Antiphon, O Radix Jesse, is inseparable from Mary. But O Radix Jesse, Root of Jesse, is a ...read more

Over the past few years, many of us have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. My grandfather passed away last year. He was a social person and would have wanted a big funeral with many people in attendance like the funeral my grandmother had. Instead, he had a private viewing with a few family ...read more

Whenever I see a rosary hanging on someone’s rear-view mirror, I automatically feel a kinship with the Catholic driver. However, a rosary is not a decoration. It is a powerful spiritual tool, and popes have been encouraging Catholics to pray the Rosary for years. Since October is the month of the Rosary, here are three ...read more

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — For Sarah Hart, writing a new hymn is always about pleasing God. “I do think, ‘God, I hope this is pleasing to you. I hope that this thing I’m doing is my prayer to you,'” she told the Tennessee Register, newspaper of the Diocese of Nashville. “Writing a song for me ...read more

Depressed and suicidal, Keith found himself going from bad to worse. He needed help. And then one night he found it in an unexpected way. ...read more

Read the full text of Pope Francis' homily given during a penitential service in the Vatican on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25, 2022. ...read more

Mary's humility calls us to her; it begs us to come to her and to allow her to intercede on our behalf. And the source of her humility is God himself. ...read more