HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
When I think “holy,” I often think “perfect.” So the Holy Family can be a bit intimidating. How can our families ever measure up? Part of the issue is that we don’t get the full story of Mary, Joseph and…
Category Feast Day
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…
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…
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…
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…
“A GREAT SIGN APPEARED IN HEAVEN: A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, AND THE MOON BENEATH HER FEET”
Most years on August 14, my wife Nora and I make the one-hour drive northeast from Edmonton to the Marian grotto at Skaro to participate in the vigil Mass of Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven. The grotto was built by…
“JESUS TOOK WITH HIM PETER AND JOHN AND JAMES, AND WENT UP ON THE MOUNTAIN TO PRAY…”
Probably, most Catholics do not link Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain with the Exodus of the Old Testament. For us, it is a stand-alone, unique event which reveals Jesus as the Son of God. The Transfiguration surely is that (and…
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
When I was growing up, we often had Sunday dinner at my grandparents’ house. My grandmother was a wonderful cook, and we all looked forward to our visits there. There would be seven of us around the table, but someone…
Remembering St. John the Baptist
By Jim Dunn, Novalis author of “CrossWord Christian” and blog contributor St John the Baptist whose birthday we celebrate this month on June 24th, allows me great memories and pause for reflection. A born and raised Quebecer, I have always…
Ash Wednesday: Promise, Hope, Pain & Forgiveness
By Matthew Sottile, Editor Ash Wednesday. How quickly Lent arrived; we spend today reflecting, trying to find balance between the sorrows and joys of the season. In doing so, it is important to examine our own souls, behavior and spirit.…