Pope Benedict and Saint James the Greater

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 21 June 2006 James, the Greater Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are continuing the series of portraits of the Apostles chosen directly by Jesus...

From the Heart of a Woman: What It Really Means to Be a Man

What does it really mean to be a man? Well, I cannot tell you firsthand. I am a woman. However, I believe that it...

How Wisdom Is Superior to Knowledge

Wisdom and knowledge are not the same. One can have much wisdom and be short of knowledge. On the other hand, one can have...

The Plenary Indulgence of the Portiuncula, or, Our Lady of the Angels

On Monday 2 August the universal Church celebrates what is called The Pardon of Assisi. This great feast, which ranks as a solemnity within the...

Why Does Hell Exist?

“The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a...

Sanctus Petrus in Vincula

(Besides being the memorial of the patron saint of moral theologians, Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, this August 1st is also the traditional feast of Saint...

Pope Benedict and Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

This morning I invite you to reflect on St Eusebius of Vercelli, the first Bishop of Northern Italy of whom we have reliable information....

Tolkien, Discernment, and Vocation in The Lord of the Rings

The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, issued from the Second Vatican Council, emphasized the point that every person has a vocation to...

Pope Saint John Paul II and the Transfiguration

21st ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF PAUL VIHOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Friday, 6 August 1999     Today, the...

Why is There Purgatory?

“All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo...