Viewed as old-fashioned, out of date, and out of touch, chastity is not popular with today's world. Yet two young women who loved Jesus more than any other man in the world and who lived 1700 years apart, thought that chastity was worth dying for. Be inspired by the stories of St Agnes and Bl Albertina Berkenbrock as you embrace chastity in your own life.
When St Francis de Sales looked at the towns and cities of 17th-century France, he couldn't help but see 'the squalor of the Cross' in the squalor of the towns and cities. Determined to do something about it, he decided to set up a religious order to help them, with the aid of his friend St Jane Frances de Chantal. Learn how they became servants of the poor in founding the Visitation Order in this blog.
Be motivated to go to Confession with these inspiring quotes on the sacrament from Saints and Popes.
People who find it difficult to go to confession and non-Catholics often ask: "Why do we have to go to confession? Why can't we just go directly to God?" The answer is that Jesus instituted the sacrament because He knew human nature and He knew we would need it. Here are four reasons why.
In Renaissance paintings of the Nativity, the stable is often shown as ruined, a symbol of the world around us. Our own relationships with God are often broken, a gaping hole. Yet, as Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB, says in this homily, Christmas reveals the great love of God amidst the ruins, how He restores our broken relationship and make us His friends. The ruins can always be rebuilt, then, with the power of His love.
In Christmas, we find a tremendous hope: God is with us. Yet as we ponder this incredible truth on Christmas Day, we must remember that there are many living without hope, those who suffer persecution for their hope, or whose hopes are vested in things which can never satisfy. Pope Francis reflects on these themes in this Christmas blog.
