Older Catholics will certainly be familiar with the concept of “Easter duty,” a phrase that describes the obligation of Catholics to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, specifically during the Easter Season. more

If one can believe the conservative Web logs on the internet, every priest in Christendom will soon be offering the old Tridentine Latin Mass in parish churches and private oratories throughout the … more

The festivities of the Christmas holiday and the solemnities of Holy Week might at first glance seem to have nothing in common. Christmas is all wreaths and lights and sleigh bells and presents and … more

Without a doubt, Holy Week marks the high point of the liturgical year. It’s a very significant time for every Catholic, as we follow Jesus with a lively faith and strive to share once again in the fullness of the Paschal Mystery. As the Preface for the Passion of the Lord reminds us: “The days of his life-giving death and glorious resurrection are approaching. This is the hour when Christ triumphed over Satan’s pride, the time when we celebrate the great event of our redemption.” more

A local politician explained his stance on same-sex marriage by saying, "If two people love one another, who am I to stand in the way of their marrying?" The truth is that marriage is about much … more

A bishop on the West Coast entertains his candidates for Holy Orders by regaling them with tales about his dealing with other bishops and then informs the candidates that he would not be surprised to … more

Depending on your point of view, it’s either the most significant archeological find in history, with enormous theological consequences, or just another fraudulent publicity stunt aimed at promoting a silly television program. I vote for the latter. more

The premier English language poet of the last century, T.S.Eliot, was quoting Beaudelaire, the distinguished French language poet of the 19th century, when he wrote, "The spirit kills; it is the … more

Sts. Matthew, Mark and Luke write of Jesus' glorious transfiguration on Mount Tabor in their Gospel accounts. St. John characteristically makes no mention of this incident since, for the Fourth … more

You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world . . . Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:13, 14, 16) When Jesus addressed these words to His disciples, He made it clear that He expected them to make a difference in the world. And so it is with us. If our faith is real, it touches every aspect of our life. And if our faith is real, we should share it with our family, friends and neighbors; we should live it to the hilt, in our homes, in our schools, in the places we work and recreate. Question: Do other people know you are a Catholic? Do they recognize you as a follower of Christ? more

Whenever I visit our Catholic schools, occasionally one of the students will ask me what my favorite Bible verse is. The answer varies, depending on which verse comes to mind first, for in fact I have more than one favorite. Some of them are as follows. (Part I – Old Testament) more

His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze of Rome, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has distinguished himself lately as a defender of Roman Catholic … more

Soren Kirkegaard, the Danish Lutheran 19th century philosopher, understood Christianity to be an "either/or" proposition. Christians could have either heaven or earth, either spirit or flesh, either … more

Three years ago, the novel "The DaVinci Code" prompted me to write a commentary denouncing it, which The Providence Journal kindly printed. Always looking for new ideas and voices, the then-executive … more

The trouble with post-Vatican II Catholicism is that it doesn't leave many free evenings. Oscar Wilde first made this remark about socialism and Richard John Neuhaus has wisely applied it our … more

First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority. (I Tm 2:1) God’s fourth commandment also enjoins us to honor all who for our good have received authority in society from God. Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church.) more

During my recent illness and hospitalization I had a couple of brand new experiences. more

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer Had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it You would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say: “Rudolph with your nose so bright Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” Then all the reindeer loved him And they shouted out with glee: “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer You’ll go down in history!” more

It is said that every man has a natural desire to do three things: plant a tree, write a book and father a child. The particulars of the proverb aside, the point is that every person yearns to leave behind something of permanent value when he departs the earth. Bishop Thomas Francis Hendricken, first Bishop of Providence, certainly accomplished that goal - in a glorious Cathedral and in a spiritual heritage that lives on even now, 120 years after his death. more

During the Season of Advent, soon upon us, our thoughts and prayers focus on the Second Coming of Christ when, at the end of time, He will return in glory. Advent, then, is an opportunity to recall what the Church teaches us about the end times – Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, the Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment. more