OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Many years ago, my co-worker – a priest from Czechoslovakia – and I were leading a group of candidates for initiation. It was Advent and we decided to explore some of the traditions of the season – one of which…
Novalis Seeds of Faith
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Immaculate Conception is a relatively new feast (established universally in 1854), and so there isn’t a long tradition of devotions and customs for this day. Evidently in 1854 people put lit candles in paper lanterns to show their joy…
SEASON OF ADVENT
The world has forgotten Advent. We go from Thanksgiving and Halloween directly to the “Holiday Season,” with Christmas Day as its culmination. It is all tinsel and chimes and Hallmark Card warm-and-fuzzy movies. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
CHRIST THE KING: A PARADOXICAL SOVEREIGN
Shepherd. Worthy Lamb. Firstborn of Creation. Beloved Son. Suffering Servant. Mocked. Mortified. Crucified. And risen from the dead! This is certainly no ordinary King! The Sovereign of the Universe is a paradox indeed! While thrones, dominions, rulers and powers have…
INTERVIEW WITH LEAH PERRAULT, AUTHOR OF MY HEART OF FLESH AND LIVING GENTLY THROUGH STRUGGLE
What inspired you to write My Heart of Flesh? In 2011 and 2012, I struggled my way through postpartum depression toward recovery. As I shared that story with others through speaking and writing, I was overwhelmed by the way that…
REMEMBRANCE DAY
I have never been a soldier, nor have I ever been to war. The closest I have come personally to warfare is having an uncle in the navy during the Korean War. He rarely talked about it during his lifetime.…
ALL SOULS DAY
November 2 should be a great day in the life of the Christians. We are the ones who are supposed to have a positive attitude towards death, that “life has changed, not ended” as the ritual says. But there are…
ALL SAINTS DAY
When I was growing up, one of the books we had at home was both intriguing and somewhat macabre – The Lives of the Saints. What wonders could be found between its burgundy covers! These accounts started off nicely enough,…
STEVE BELL’S PILGRIM YEAR SERIES – FOR PILGRIMS OF ALL KINDS
I didn’t know of Steve Bell when I first came across his Pilgrim Year series. Each of the seven books explores one of these rich liturgical seasons: Advent Christmas Epiphany Lent Holy Week Easter Ordinary Time Each season hold its…
REMEMBERING ST. JOHN XXIII
I sometimes wonder what went through Pope John XXIII’s mind before he announced the Second Vatican Council on January 25, 1959. What an amazing and bold step to take for a 77-year-old pope who was elected on the 12th ballot…