The number of those who formally affiliate with a religion has been dropping precipitously in the United States, and indeed throughout most Western countries. In the early 1970s, roughly 3 percent of Americans would have claimed no religious identity, but today, that figure has skyrocketed to 26
Each Easter, I post this “chronological account” of the resurrection appearances, tough I tweak it as others offer insights I might have missed. It is helpful to try and weave the many strands together for the reasons I state below. When we encounter the resurrection
Roman authorities are investigating controversial religious leader Jesus of Nazareth for violating the Empire’s clear “stay in tomb” order. After crucifying him and laying him in the tomb, Roman guards put Him under strict orders to stay there and not come back, rising victorious over sin
Most priests will tell you that Easter Sunday is one of the more difficult Sundays on which to preach. There are many reasons for this. In the first place, the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil) is magnificent and beautiful but
Editor’s note: The following excerpt is from Introduction to Christianity (2nd edition) by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Ignatius Press, 1990, 2004; pp. 301-10). To the Christian, faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an expression of certainty that the saying that seems to be only a beautiful dream
The day-star shining alone at the heart of the east in gloom,The rooster crows and the Magdalen hurries out to the tomb.” – Paul Claudel In the quiet of the morning, with no witnesses, Our Lord stirred in the tomb. As if awakening from slumber,
At the Vatican’s Easter vigil Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus’ love is without limits and always provides the grace to begin anew. The Pope said in his homily on April 3 that “it is always possible to begin anew because there is always a
In his apostolic letter for the beginning of the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis cites Polish author Jan Dobraczyński. The Holy Father explains that his novel, The Shadow of the Father, “uses the evocative image of a shadow to define Joseph. In his relationship to
Sunday’s Gospel describes an absence that confounds the disciples, preparing them for the Presence their hearts desire. Gospel (Read Jn 20:1-9) On Palm Sunday, the narrative of our Lord’s Passion ended with these words: “Then they rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb” (Mk 15:46b). Jesus’ dead
Let all pious men and all lovers of God rejoice in the splendor of this feast; let the wise servants blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord; let those who have borne the burden of Lent now receive their pay, and those who have
Praying the Rosary
Familiarize yourself with the prayers of the rosary.
