Catholic Prayers: Why do Catholics use statues, paintings, and light candles as part of their faith?
Do you light candles after you say your Catholic prayers? Whenever you go to mass, do you notice the religious statues and beautiful paintings that adorn the church? Have you ever wondered what these artifacts and traditions mean and what value they hold to our faith?
Is going to Church every Sunday necessary for Catholics?
Going to church every Sunday is one of the most basic traditions that we associate with our Catholic faith. We have been taught to go to church and attend mass at an early age but is it really necessary for Catholics? Is going to church every Sunday still relevant in today’s times
5 Most Important Miracles of Jesus
The Bible is filled with stories about the miracles of Jesus. These miracles open our eyes to the glory of God and serve as physical evidence of his power and presence in our world.
It helps to revisit the miracles of Jesus whenever we feel discouraged because they remind us that nothing is impossible with God and that we can trust in him to help us regardless of how difficult our problem may seem.
What are the Stations of the Cross?
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Sorrows), is a devotion that reflects on Jesus’ final days on Earth—from being condemned to death to dying on the cross and being placed in the tomb.
The Beatitudes — The Key to Happiness
Want to know the secret to happiness? The answer is revealed in The Beatitudes. Want to be the best Catholic you can ever be? The Beatitudes tell you how. Want to make Jesus happy? Practice the doctrine of The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are eight simply stated, yet profound guidelines Jesus revealed to His followers during His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus uses the words of The Beatitudes to paint a picture of what the true people of God look like. Not physically, but morally and spiritually.
Why Catholics Start Prayers with The Sign of The Cross
What does giving someone the thumbs up, the o.k. sign, and making the sign of the cross have in common? They’re all frequently used gestures that we perform countless times throughout our lifetime. Unlike the first two gestures, the sign of the cross is steeped with religious symbolism. When is the last time you made the sign of the cross and stopped to think about what you’re doing? Do you make the gesture consciously and piously? Do...
The Powerful Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As the age-old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Jesus communicates with us in many ways—through prayer, through the Scriptures, and through images. The Catholic religion abounds with symbols and imagery—from stained glass windows to statues of the holy family, the Rosary, and relics of the saints. These images serve as a visual reminder of our faith and represent messages Jesus is trying to communicate to us. One of...
The History and Significance of the Jerusalem Cross
The cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Throughout history there have been many variations of the cross, each holding historical or cultural significances. The Greek cross, Latin cross, Celtic cross, and the Jerusalem cross are just a few examples of the different types of crosses created throughout the history of our faith. Some crosses, such as the Latin cross, are simple in design, while others, including...
How To Use A Sick Call Crucifix
What are sick call sets? These sets usually consist of a crucifix, two candles, a vessel for holding holy water, and a stand.
Fourth Week of Advent – The Angel’s Candle
The fourth candle is also called the “Angel’s candle” as we are reminded of the angel of the Lord appearing before a group of shepherds, proclaiming, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” As the final purple candle is lit on this Fourth Week of Advent, let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,...
Third Week of Advent – Pink Candle
The third week of Advent, also known as “Gaudete Sunday,” means we have passed the half-way point and Christmas is drawing near. The word gaudete means “rejoice,” and at this point in our Advent journey our hearts should be filled with joy as we ponder the magnitude of Christ’s birth. We mark this joyful time by lighting the one and only pink candle on the wreath. Throughout Advent, priests wear purple vestments, except on Gaudete...
Second Week of Advent – Advent Prayer Series
This candle is also called the “Bethlehem candle” and reminds us of Blessed Mary and St. Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem to give birth to our Savior. We recall with awe the words of the Virgin Mary when she learned she would carry the Son of the Most High, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” We honor Blessed Mary as the mother of our Lord. We also remember St. Joseph. As Mary’s spouse and the guardian...
Advent — How will you spend these four weeks?
What are you doing this November 30 to December 24? Will you be shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, and trying to squeeze in some time sitting by a crackling fire? Like many, you probably have a long list of what needs to get done in time for Christmas Day. The race is on and every minute matters. During this busy time, how many times will you think about Jesus, Blessed Mary, and St. Joseph? How many times will you remember to...
Why the Church Celebrates the Feast of Christ the King
Each year the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday before Advent, also known as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. As Catholics, we’ve been recognizing Christ as our King for over 2,000 years. Each time we attend mass, genuflect in front of the altar, or receive a sacrament, we are honoring our King. So why do we have a special day set aside to remember our King? The man who holds the answer is Pope...
Where Does The Nativity Come From Anyway?
Whether it’s a small nativity consisting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child, or an elaborate scene complete with a stable, animals, and the three kings, displaying the nativity scene, or crèche, has long been a Christmas tradition in the Catholic Church.
Prayer of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen Act of Contrition Laminated Prayer Cards 25 Pack Act of Contrition Laminated Prayer Cards 25 Pack We say the Act of...
The Crucifix — Why Displaying It in Your Home Matters
The crucifix is one of the most recognizable images in the world and for many it evokes a range of emotions. The crucifix is a powerful image. Unlike a simple cross, the wall crucifix features the figure of Christ being crucified. This raw, visual reminder of how much Jesus suffered can be difficult to look at. Yet, as sorrowful as this image is, it’s also a beautiful, triumphant image. It reminds us that Jesus’ suffering was for our...
Don’t Forget to Take Jesus on Your Next Vacation
As the school year winds down, school uniforms and backpacks will soon get banished to the backs of closets as bathing suits, suitcases and beach bags see the light of day once again. Kids aren’t the only ones longing for vacation–adults usually wait all year to take a much-needed break from their hectic schedules during the summer months. As you plan your vacation, you probably have some sort of packing list close by to make...
Why Is Jesus’ Heart So Sacred?
June 27 is an important day. Can you guess what it is? Hint: it doesn’t have to do with the World Cup or the end of school year and the start of summer vacation. What is it? It’s the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a Catholic, you’ve seen the image of Jesus depicted in many ways–kneeling in prayer, surrounded by children, as a child in the arms of St. Anthony, and dying on the cross. One of the most recognizable images is...
Pray for us Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph was a common manual laborer who descended from the royal house of David. He was destined to become the spouse of Mary, the Mother of God. Joseph was a just man whose faith in God led him to fulfill his holy calling in life to protect and guard God’s greatest treasures upon the earth. After Joseph was witness to the Messiah’s virgin birth, he modestly retires into the background of the Holy Scripture. He lived out his...
Forty Days and Forty Thoughts, Part 2 of 2
In my Sunday School class there’s a little girl who doesn’t say much…ever. When I ran into her at the grocery store after Ash Wednesday, I asked what she was giving up for Lent. She whispered, “All sweets and all desserts.” That’s a tough commitment in the modern world—and she’s only eight years old! Then in class this last Sunday, my daughter handed out freshly baked, homemade cookies to the students. This girl shook her head to...
Forty Days and Forty Thoughts on the Beauty and Mystery of Lent
Part 1 of 2 of the Mysteries of Lent My son will be confirmed in April. In writing a letter to the bishop to apply for this sacrament he wrote, “I’m proud to be Catholic because the Church speaks up for Truth. We Catholics know why we were made. God made us to know Him, love Him and serve Him. It’s reassuring to understand this.” What he wrote reminded me that Lent is the season to re-align ourselves with Truth…we were made for...
Mercy is Divine
How awesome is God’s mercy! Only a God of Love would extend mercy to sinners like us. Since the beginning of time, humans have ignored, disobeyed or turned cruelly against our Creator and Lord. Sometimes, these sins have happened right after God makes His presence known in a spectacular manner. Imagine being there when God parted the waters of the sea to offer your people a safe escape route, and yet a short while later, you are...
Holy Week – Embracing Change
Palm Sunday—King or Servant? He is the Glorious Servant King! Change is a challenge isn’t it? Let me tell you about our donkey and horse by way of example. Three weeks ago, we changed the morning routine in our barnyard asking the horse and donkey to exit their stalls from the other side of the barn to go out to the pasture for food. Yet every morning, they continue to stand at the old gate, resisting the new routine. So I carry a...
Lent is Almost Here — How will You Fast?
I was sure we were low on flour. And I don’t like going to the cupboard to bake something—which is usually at the last minute because Peter says, “I have to bring a snack to class tonight”—only to find there’s not enough flour for the recipe. So I brought home a ten-pound sack of high-quality pastry flour with my groceries. But when I went to pour it into the canister, low and behold, it was already full to the top. There was no room...
Advent – Straws for Jesus
A long time ago a poor family prepared to celebrate Christmas. There was no money for a Christmas tree or special decorations because the father of the house was out of work. There wasn’t even enough money to pay the heat bills and it was a cold winter that year. Still the mother said, “Children this cardboard box is like the manger where Jesus first laid his head. Jesus was actually in a worse situation than we are. No heat AND no...
