Have you ever tried to clean a sidewalk, a driveway, or a concrete patio? Of course, scrubbing and scrubbing with hot water will wipe away some of the dirt, but if you want to restore it to its original whiteness, you need something more. Continue »

“Do old things,” God whispered to me, as I asked him what I ought to do with all the time I now found on my hands. Shattering my ankle in six places had definitely not been on the agenda for my life. The accident had forced me to be off my feet for six months, and I had little to keep me occupied. Continue »

The [Holy Spirit’s] title “Paraclete” not only speaks about God’s mercy toward us but also opens for us a whole new field of acts of mercy for one another. We need, in other words, to become paracletes ourselves! If it is true that the Christian needs to be an alter Christus, “another Christ,” it is just as true that he or she needs to become “another paraclete.” Continue »

After Joseph learned of the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy and took her as his wife, Matthew shows us Jesus already born in Bethlehem and the Magi on pilgrimage from the East. The family resides in a house by now. Continue »

As the New Year begins, many people make resolutions that are soon forgotten. The Church always encourages good resolutions at the beginning of the year but also brings us to the true “new beginning” that came about when Jesus was born of Mary. Continue »

Mary continues her role as mother of life with you and me and all of her spiritual children. As mother of Life himself, Mary mediates the life of Christ to us as the new Eve, as the Mother of the Church, and finally, as our mother. Continue »

The national holiday of Thanksgiving—celebrated in November in the United States and in October in Canada—is a perfect opportunity to think about gratitude. It can remind us and our families about the importance of being grateful—for the Lord as the source of life, and for one another—all year long. Continue »

After several decades in the food manufacturing industry, I rose to a position of respect and high compensation. But the year I turned fifty, my company fell on hard times. Tension began to mount in the factory, especially among those of us on the leadership team. I started to get defensive in the workplace. That’s when I realized I needed to adjust my priorities and seek God’s will for my career. Continue »

It’s easy to remember the first time that Therese complimented John in front of his mother. It was an autumn day. We had driven over a hundred miles, complete with construction detours and hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic. Continue »

All Souls’ Day, or the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, which the Church celebrates on November 2, is an opportunity to commend our loved ones to God. Continue »

O Lord, how true that all harm comes to us from not keeping our eyes fixed on You. . . . We meet with a thousand falls and obstacles and lose the way because we don’t keep our eyes . . . on the true way. (The Way of Perfection, 16.11) Continue »

We humans are an interesting breed. Blessed as we are with a natural curiosity, we have plumbed the depths of the earth and sent satellites millions of miles into space. Continue »

In the following selections from his general audiences and addresses, Pope Francis offers encouragement, practical advice, and wisdom to the modern family. Continue »

Pope Francis’ message at the canonization of Junípero Serra was clear: go forward and proclaim the joy of the Gospel. Continue »

Few public figures in modern times have grasped the imagination of the world as Pope Francis has. His charm, his sincerity, and his ability to express profound concepts in a down-to-earth way have won him the respect and attention of millions. Continue »