Sacrifice requires a priest. Since the Eucharist is a sacrifice, as we observed in the previous chapter, we would rightly expect the New Covenant to have priests as well. The Hebrew word for “priest” is kohen, meaning one who offers sacrifice. If you have ever had a Jewish friend with... Read More >>

The Church’s Position on Homosexuality The Church sees its teaching on homosexuality as based on the solid foundation of a constant biblical testimony. From the Church's point of view, the basis for understanding the entire discussion of homosexuality is the theology of creation as... Read More >>

Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction towards persons of the same sex. As first used, the term referred to women as well as men, though more recently terms such as “gay” or “lesbian” have... Read More >>

Various Aids to Christian Education In fulfilling its educational role, the Church, eager to employ all suitable aids, is concerned especially about those which are her very own. Foremost among these is catechetical instruction, which enlightens and strengthens the faith, nourishes life... Read More >>

Since all Christians have become by rebirth of water and the Holy Spirit a new creature so that they should be called and should be children of God, they have a right to a Christian education. A Christian education does not merely strive for the maturing of a human person as just now described, but... Read More >>

The Sacred Ecumenical Council has considered with care how extremely important education is in the life of man and how its influence ever grows in the social progress of this age. Indeed, the circumstances of our time have made it easier and at once more urgent to educate young people and, what... Read More >>

In the history of the world, only one tomb has ever had a rock rolled before it, and a soldier guard set to watch it to prevent the dead man within from rising: that was the tomb of Christ on the evening of the Friday called Good. What spectacle could be more ridiculous than armed soldiers keeping... Read More >>

Holy Week is the most solemn and glorious week in Christianity, the pinnacle of the liturgical year. It’s more sacred than Christmas! This is because Holy Week commemorates the final week of Our Lord’s life, the very purpose for which Christmas happened. Holy Week begins with... Read More >>

Below is the text of Pope Francis’ weekly Wednesday audience, delivered on March 31, 2021, Wednesday of Holy Week. Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! Already immersed in the spiritual atmosphere of Holy Week, we are on the eve of the Easter Triduum. From tomorrow until... Read More >>

Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. Call it pink — or, more... Read More >>

Ecclesiastical Law: When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He promised He would be with us always.  The primary way this happens is through the Church.  The Church, in the persons of the Apostles and their successors, is entrusted with the “Keys to the Kingdom.”  This... Read More >>

Dear brothers and sisters! The disciples’ experience on Mount Tabor was further enriched when, alongside the transfigured Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared, signifying respectively the Law and the Prophets (cf. Mt 17:3). The newness of Christ is at the same time the fulfilment of... Read More >>

Dear brothers and sisters! The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There we see the Lord’s response to the failure of his disciples to understand him. Shortly before, there had been a real clash between the Master and Simon Peter, who,... Read More >>

This is seen most clearly when we read the Scriptures, especially the Gospels.  When we read the words of Jesus, in particular, we may sit back and be convicted in one way or another on how we have been acting poorly or ways in which we need to improve.  This is good!  When this... Read More >>

Revealed Law:  We spoke in Book One of this series about revelation.  In that book we primarily dealt with matters of faith.  Here, we follow the same understanding but look at revelation regarding matters of morality. As explained above, the natural law given to us by... Read More >>

Natural Law: The natural law is a law of morality written upon the conscience of every person.  It’s a law of morality that we simply know by nature.  This law, acting in accord with human reason, calls us to do good and forbids us to sin. There are two key aspects of the... Read More >>

Do you want to obtain a life of beatitude?  That is, a life of true blessedness?  A life of true happiness?  Of course you do!  The more important question is, “How do I obtain it?”  The answer is simple.  We obtain it through the divine help of... Read More >>

3. Be a saint. At the end of the second chapter of “Christus Vivit,” Pope Francis offers a litany of young saints that young people should emulate and request the intercession of today. He mentions St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Blessed Chiara Badano, Blessed Pier Giorgio... Read More >>

By Nathan Stanley 2. We’re called to return to the source of youth. Pope Francis reminds us that being transformed in Christ is the source of the youthfulness of the Church. As he says: “But let us also ask him [Jesus] to free her [the Church] from another temptation: that... Read More >>

by Nathan Stanley This is a historic week. This week we’ve observed the anniversary of the death of Pope St. John Paul II. We’ve also seen the Church release the Apostolic Exhortation “Christus Vivit,”or “Christ Lives” (CV). In the opening paragraphs,... Read More >>