Some teachings on the Eucharist The Eucharist is a memorial in the sense that it makes present and actual the sacrifice which Christ offered to the Father on the cross, once and for all on behalf of humankind. The sacrificial character of the Holy Eucharist is manifested in the very words of... Read More >>

Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish... Read More >>

29 APRIL 2012 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Theme: Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God Dear Brothers and Sisters, The 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, prompts us to meditate on the theme: Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God. The source of every perfect gift is God who is Love –... Read More >>

This is the most important week in the year of worship. During the week, we commemorate Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection i.e., the crowing events in his life through which he saved us. Holy week is the final week of lent, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. Holy... Read More >>

Nothing offers better guidance on our Lenten journey than the words Jesus spoke to his disciples, read during the liturgy of this day: “Give alms...Pray to your Father...Fast without a gloomy face...” (Matthew 6: 1-18) Give... pray... fast. Almsgiving Giving alms, Jesus teaches,... Read More >>

Lent is a time of soul-searching and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. In the Western Church, Lent consists of the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The English word... Read More >>

Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. In the desire to renew the liturgical practices of the Church, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II stated, "The two elements which are especially characteristic... Read More >>

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. WHY WE RECEIVE THE ASHES Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in... Read More >>

The feast of Lupercalia was celebrated by Roman citizens as early as the fourth century BC on every February 15th. And just like any other celebration, where the eve of the day of celebration or the day of celebration itself is declared a holiday to honour the queen of the Roman goddesses known as... Read More >>

WHAT IS SACRAMENTAL? Some or all of these symbols may have been implied in Jesus’ words to his chosen ones, describing them as the: salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). He especially indicated that they were to oppose the world’s corruption, reminding them that as salt must preserve... Read More >>

St. Blaise was born to rich and noble parents, and received a Christian education. He was a physician before being consecrated a bishop at a young age. During the persecution of Licinius, St. Blaise, receiving some divine command, moved from the town, and lived as a hermit in a cave. Wild animals... Read More >>

There is a renewed interest today in the ancient sacramental of blessed salt, especially by charismatics, in healing and deliverance situations, etc. To understand its proper use and its efficacy, it would be helpful to review its scriptural symbolism and history. Salt in the ancient world... Read More >>

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender; be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and... Read More >>

It is a sign of grace instituted within the Church, without the solemnity sacred, necessary character of a sign instituted by Christ. In the case of all Sacraments, the power comes not from the sign itself, but by means of the Church’s official (liturgical, not private) prayer of blessings... Read More >>

Fundamentalists are sometimes horrified when the Virgin Mary is referred to as the Mother of God. However, their reaction often rests upon a misapprehension of not only what this particular title of Mary signifies but also who Jesus was, and what their own theological forebears, the Protestant... Read More >>

The celebration of the birth of Christ has become the most obvious religious-based public festival of American life. Its arrival in December is prepared for months in advance. It is the one event which generates the most anticipation and to which the most tradition and custom have attached... Read More >>

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the subject of a lot of misconceptions (so to speak). Perhaps the most common one, held even by many Catholics, is that it celebrates the conception of Christ in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That the feast occurs only 17 days ... Read More >>

The contents of the 3rd part Ketubim (Writings) remained somewhat fluid in Judaism until after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in AD 70. By the end of the 1st century AD the rabbis in Palestine had established the final list. CHRISTIAN CANON This canon arose first as a translation of the... Read More >>

INTRODUCTION: Many Catholics over the years have been bombarded by their protestant brothers and sisters with the problem of the so called additional books by Catholics which in their opinion contradicts the biblical injunction in Rev. 22; 18-19 This article will attempt to address this... Read More >>

The word advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means coming. Pagans used it to mean the coming of their god. It is now used to connote the period of preparation for the coming of the King of Kings. Advent is the period preceeding the Christmas season. It begins on the... Read More >>