I love books. I love going to bookstores and agonizing over which book I’ll read first, what I will re-read next, and (perhaps a little dejectedly) thinking about all the books I haven’t read yet. Somewhere amidst all my nuttiness, I also manage to convince myself that if I could just sleep a few hours a ...read more

Dublin, Ireland, will host the 50th International Eucharistic Congress from June 10 to 17, 2012. This is the second time Ireland will host the Universal Church, the last time being in 1932. Join host Cheridan Eygelaar as she speaks with Father Kevin Doran, Secretary General of IEC 2012, about the Congress that celebrates the summit ...read more

The content of Caravaggio’s art was often explicitly Catholic, but what about his beliefs, or his lifestyle? The controversial artist was recently featured in a rare exhibition in Canada, so S+L’s Jenna Murphy took a trip to Ottawa to see his works in person. Jenna reveals what she learned in a recent episode of Catholic ...read more

Vatican City is a city and sovereign nation just like any other in many respects, but with some notable differences. In our latest Catholic Focus, host Alicia Ambrosio takes you behind the walls to see how Vatican City protects its citizens, communicates with the world, keeps its buildings and furnishings in top shape, and reaches ...read more

A university education is about more than attaining technical ability or satisfying the demand for labor, says Pope Benedict. The Holy Father reflected on the role of the university during a meeting with young professors at the Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. His address followed his meeting with young women ...read more

Yesterday in Madrid, Benedict XVI joined all of the World Youth Day pilgrims at the Papal Welcome Ceremony. This morning he met with a more specific audience, comprised of young women religious. During his his address at the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the Holy Father exhorted women religious to embrace a “Gospel ...read more

So far we’ve looked at sin and at the reasons why the Sacrament requires that we confess to a priest. I know some of you still struggle with that. Perhaps going through the ritual will help a bit. Remember that every Sacrament has a ritual – but the Sacrament is not just the ritual. In ...read more

Last time we looked at sin: mortal sin and venial sin and the reason why we continue sinning even after Baptism. We all have a tendency to sin called concupiscence and so that’s why we need Grace to help us bring those disordered appetites into proper order. And I don’t think most people have a ...read more

So far we’ve had a brief look at Sacraments (Parts 1, 2, & 3) in general and more specifically at Baptism. Let’s continue with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is the Sacrament that we all called “Confession.” It is sometimes referred to as the Sacrament of “Penance,” as well. Remember that all Sacraments make Christ ...read more