If you look at a Catholic calendar, you have probably noticed how many days are marked as “feast days.” A special part of living the Catholic faith is how we mark time—since we see the Church as being the family of God, we do what families naturally do—we celebrate “milestones” of family members. That’s whatContinue reading “What is a “Feast Day”?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Catholic Way to Move Through the Week
One of the great blessings of our Catholic faith is that it isn’t something we just “add on” to our life—no, it is a different way of grounding life, of founding life, on the person of Jesus Christ and the apprenticeship of discipleship. And one of the ways that our faith in Jesus impacts ourContinue reading “A Catholic Way to Move Through the Week”
What Makes a Church a Cathedral?
Catholic churches are called by various names: parishes, cathedrals, basilicas, oratories and more. Understanding the use of these different names leads us to explore the Catholic vision of authority and leadership in the Church—which is a critical issue within our faith. Let’s begin with some of the terms. A parish is defined by a designatedContinue reading “What Makes a Church a Cathedral?”
How do we Participate in Holy Mass?
Mass must appear to be “Catholic calisthenics” to someone visiting a service for the first time! What do all those actions mean and is it all right for a non-Catholic to participate in them? Let’s go through the different actions at Mass—I’ll explain how to do each action in a reverent, prayerful way and thenContinue reading “How do we Participate in Holy Mass?”
Greetings and Processions at Holy Mass: Why so Many?
At every Mass, we exchange four greetings: at the beginning of Mass, before the Gospel is proclaimed; during the opening dialogue of the Eucharistic Prayer and before the Dismissal. Every Mass also has five processions: the Entrance Procession, the Procession of the Gospel, the Procession of the Gifts, the Procession of the Communicants and theContinue reading “Greetings and Processions at Holy Mass: Why so Many?”
Why do Catholics Confess Their Sins to a Priest?
Part of the answer to that question is to rephrase it. We don’t believe we are confessing our sins only to a priest. We are confessing our sins to Jesus Christ through a Sacramental encounter mediated by a priest. Mediation within a Sacrament is founded on two things: first, Jesus is the one and onlyContinue reading “Why do Catholics Confess Their Sins to a Priest?”
Why Does the Catholic Church Baptize Babies?
For most non-Catholic Christians, Baptism is seen as a step one takes after confessing Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior—a step that reflects a conversion to the Gospel and a choice to live according to the faith one can now profess. If that’s what Baptism is, then infant Baptism doesn’t make sense. HowContinue reading “Why Does the Catholic Church Baptize Babies?”
What do Catholics Believe About Sacraments?
Sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace—they mark moments in our life when God stops our aimless wandering, turns us right-side up, and accompanies us on our journey to heaven. Sacraments are life-giving, life-changing moments where we acknowledge, with trusting joy, that we are not the authors of our life, that we do not determineContinue reading “What do Catholics Believe About Sacraments?”
What do Catholics Really Believe About Mary?
Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary is a distinctive hallmark of the Catholic faith—and one of the parts of Catholicism that sometimes most concerns and troubles non-Catholics. Our doctrines and practices regarding Mary are so critical because of what they declare about Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church. Let’s explore what Catholics really believe aboutContinue reading “What do Catholics Really Believe About Mary?”
How do Catholics Find Meaning in Suffering?
Suffering, especially the innocent suffering we observe in others or experience ourselves, is one of the most problematic issues of believing in an all-knowing, all-powerful, and good God. How do we Catholics make sense of the suffering we endure or observe? By seeing it through the lens of faith: in the light of Jesus’ victoryContinue reading “How do Catholics Find Meaning in Suffering?”
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