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...

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...

Pope Benedict and Martha’s Way

BENEDICT XVI ANGELUS Courtyard of the Papal Residence, Castel Gandolfo Sunday, 18 July 2010   Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are now in the heart of summer, at least in...

17th Sunday: The Perfect Sacrifice

Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as...

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...

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...

Briefly Testing Aristotle’s Golden Mean

“Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency.” Aristotle Scripture is full of exhortations to avoid...

Shūsaku Endō’s novel Chinmoku [Silence]: Christ’s Sabachthani versus Fr. Rodrigues’ Apostasy

(Please note: this article refers to the book; admittedly, I have not seen the film.) Chinmoku – a Tragedy Contrary to the interpretation of many Western...