 When I was first introduced to the Congregation of Holy Cross as a student at Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, I was confused why their patron is Our Lady of Sorrows. I see myself as a cheerleader for my loved ones and try to bring joy to everything I do in life. Studying psychology and theology taught me more about the depths of joy and the paradox of holding joy and sorrow simultaneously. Joy and sorrow are not analogous to happiness and sadness. So, I can still bring joy even when accompanying others in sorrow. In the first letter from St. Paul to the Corinthians, we learn that faith, hope, and love are the three things that will last forever. We cannot have one without the other two. We have hope because we have faith and love. As a Christ-centered marriage and family therapist, I have a couple of images of the sorrowful mother in my office so my clients are reminded that they are not alone in their suffering. The Church provides a way to reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. In each of these arrows that pierce her heart, she is either holding, searching for, or gazing at Jesus. The Seven Sorrows of Mary:
At the Wedding at Cana, Jesus told his beloved mother that if he began his public works, their humble life together as a family would never be the same. He would no longer be just her son but recognized as the Savior of all. She would no longer be just his mother but the mother of all. She consented to this road of suffering because she trusted God and meant her words at the Annunciation, “may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Imagine Mary at the foot of the Cross. She was full of sorrow watching her son take his last breaths. What kind of mother would she be if she was not sad watching her son suffer? In her tears, she believed (“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45) in the God she knew so intimately and loved with a heart that was not tarnished by sin. So, if it is okay for her to be full of sorrow, it is okay for each of us, too. We must be cognizant that our sorrow does not turn us away from the Cross in despair, but rather leads us toward the Cross in hope. We do not venerate the Cross because it is a torture device, but rather an instrument of salvation. Good Friday is not the end of the story, and Easter Sunday cannot exist without Good Friday. St. Paul wrote to the Romans that “all things work for good for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) God does not waste anything and does not leave us alone in our sorrow. As Catholics, we believe in redemptive suffering; we can offer our suffering for the redemption of the souls of others. Mary is the first and greatest disciple and her intercession is incredibly efficacious. In my life and the lives of the clients I journey with, I have witnessed that the greatest transformation comes from seasons of sorrow. It is in those most challenging moments that Jesus and Our Sorrowful Mother embrace us with such tenderness and empathy. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) Mother Teresa so beautifully says that, “Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.” As you carry your crosses this week, may you see it just as a piece of the puzzle that God is building in your story. Jesus is not defined by the Cross; He overcame it. You are not defined by your crosses, either. St. John Paul the Great says, “we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” In tragic circumstances, look for the heroes. In times of darkness, look for the light. I think of a hymn written by Steve Warner that is often sung on the campuses of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. The refrain is: “Cross of our hope, and tree of our salvation, Sown in our land, and spread near and far, Life-giving fruit, our portion and our promise, Ave Crux! Spes Unica!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk8fpSzM8LA *This blog is a repost and was originally posted September 14, 2023.* **This image is from: https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/study-of-the-pieta-127796** Author Annie Harton is a proud alumna of Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and speaker. Her self-published book, Single Truth: You Are More than Your Relationship Status, inspired her to start a business called You Are More. She specializes in helping singles and couples explore how they’re more than their diagnoses, their pasts, their jobs, and their relationship statuses while also reminding them that God is more than any problem they bring Him. Her podcast You Are More is now available anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can find out more about Annie and inquire about working with her at youaremore.org and annieharton.com
0 Comments
 “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” This is how I begin all of my prayers; and it comes from a long tradition in Christianity. As Catholics, we usually accompany these words by making the Sign of the Cross with our hand. Why is this so important to our faith and to me personally? To begin, I suggest revisiting and praying the Nicene Creed as it is proclaimed at every Catholic Mass. This is our profession of faith. The Holy Trinity – three persons in one – is a mystery we mere mortals can scarcely understand, but it explains our identity as children of God. We are taught from the Old Testament that God the Father is the Creator, and He sustains all of the world. In the New Testament we are instructed that God the Son is our Savior, Jesus Christ – both divine and human in nature and whose behavior we strive to model. At Pentecost, as told in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, we are shown that the Holy Spirit is imparted to each of us as the presence of God in us who gives us wisdom and boldness to act as we are taught by Jesus. The unity of these three divine beings in one God is a profound gift I believe in complete faith, and it helps me understand who I am in His Kingdom. I am a child of the Father who loved me into being together with my earthly mom and dad, I am redeemed by the body and blood poured out by Jesus His Son for all my failings, and I am aided constantly by the Holy Spirit to live and profess the Christian life in joy and exuberance! I like to think of myself as being a flesh and bone human with supernatural assistance (as long as I cooperate with the will of God)! That is a pretty amazing disposition to live out of. We read in the Old Testament’s books of the prophets that God promised a Messiah to save His people, and then in Matthew 1:2-16 the genealogy of Jesus is recorded and spiritually comes to include each of us, who through our baptism become sons and daughters of God. This is an earthly and divine bond like no other in all of creation. There is so much more to us human beings than our earthly bodies and this temporary space we inhabit. We are walking, talking, living, breathing messengers of God the Almighty, commissioned to share love and mercy to every other living being around us. We are flesh and bone, but we are also spirit and intellect. When in right relationship with our Lord, we are the dwelling place for God to move and work in and through us. Understanding our identity and praying for guidance to live it out in what we do and say is imperative to being a member of the Kingdom of Heaven. This knowledge and the grace and virtues that flow from accepting our mission gives us the power to bring life and healing and hope and joy to a hurting, confused, and broken world. So, if you are ready to accept the mission, be prepared to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and be equipped with all that is necessary to be a present day apostle! Several years ago, one of our young sons made a simple but beautiful bookmark for my husband as a gift. It was brightly colored and had the words: WORK FOR GOD! down the middle. This summarizes exactly what we are called to do and continues to be a great reminder as it sits in my husband’s Bible. The Holy Trinity is the foundation of all our Christian beliefs and it gives me great comfort knowing who I come from and who I belong to for time and eternity, even when I do not fully comprehend it. We can sing from the rooftops: “Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, three we name Thee; while in essence only one, undivided God we claim Thee; and adoring bend the knee, while we own the mystery” (Holy God, We Praise Thy Name by Ignace Franz). To learn more about living as a missionary disciple, please click here. *This blog is reposted and was originally published May 25, 2021.* Author
 My six year old son is generally a good boy and really wants to make us proud of him. Every day I consider if we’re focusing on the right virtues that we want him to embody and whether he’ll be prepared to make the right choices throughout his life. Currently, his choices are much simpler than they will be as he gets older and I pray for him to feel God’s love and share it with others. Many mothers pray for their children all the time, but a woman who did this famously was St. Monica. St. Monica lived a life of virtue and fervent prayer. Although born and raised a Christian, she married Patricius, a man who was cruel and a pagan, and they had three children, who also lacked faith as they got older. Her eldest son was Augustine who led an immoral life, but St. Monica prayed for her husband’s and son’s conversion with a desperate fire. One year before his death, her prayers were answered and Patricius converted. Meanwhile, Augustine deceived his mother about his travel plans, but she ventured to never give up on him and followed him to Milan. There, she met St. Ambrose who became a spiritual advisor to her and, later, to Augustine’s as well. Without ceasing, St. Monica prayed for her son’s conversion and her prayers were answered on Easter in 387AD when St. Ambrose baptized St. Augustine and thus began his life of faith. Later, of course, St. Augustine would go on to write the Confessions and become a great theologian and Doctor of the Church. St. Monica died soon after her son’s conversion in 387AD, and she remains a patron saint of mothers, wives, and conversion. In an effort to impart some wisdom for our modern-day selves, who are full to the brim with things to do and places to be, let’s try ten ways to model virtuous lives like St. Monica:
Some of these examples may be challenging to achieve, but if we try with the little things, we could work up to the more involved actions as time goes on. St. Monica prayed and cried to such an extent, that her tears are said to have stained church floors. This fervence may seem extreme, but God used her love for her family in unimaginable ways. She knew God would answer her prayers, and in doing so, He used St. Augustine’s words and conversion-story to inspire hearts and change lives for thousands of years and more to come. We may never even realize the good that can come from the little we do in prayer. My son may never know the extent of the prayers that I pray for him and his future, nor the sacrifices my husband and I make for him, and he doesn’t need to! Having faith means trusting that our fervent prayers are enough. St. Monica believed this, and we can too. Resource: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-monica/
 "Fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved." (St. Louis IX, King of France) St. Louis of France (1215-1270) was notable for many things from leading the 7th and 8th crusades to the Holy Land to domestic fronts like building one of the most illustrious liturgical buildings in France. Even today, the Basilica of St. Denis, where he currently is laid to rest, is a popular tourist attraction for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. St. Louis today, though, is remembered for being one of the most influential saints of his time. In the Middle Ages, saints didn't often come from kings, but rather the opposite. They come as one of the lower class, living off either the land or what strangers can provide for them. Some choose to go to monasteries, or they choose to go out into the desert. St. Louis is a prime example of someone who has not just the opportunity, but also the influence to make changes. Like St. Louis, we are all called to be crusaders for Christ. A crusader is distinguished by not what they do, but what they believe in. When St. Louis went on crusade, he brought with him his faith. Similarly, we are called to lead with faith and be a crusader for Jesus. I go to The Catholic University of America, and when looking at all of the banners, a message comes to mind. One banner that stands out says “Lead with Light”. As crusaders for Jesus, we must lead with the light in our souls that makes us children of the Father. As crusaders, not only are we called to lead with light, but we are also called to serve for the Lord. As a crusader, not only are we projecting what we believe in to be true, but we are also accomplishing acts for the faith we believe in. To be a Catholic means to serve and to be selfless. As Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, so must we serve others before we serve ourselves. St. Louis was prominent in this regard, serving as both king to a nation, general to his men, and father to his 11 children. For example, St. Louis was often known to be inviting homeless and disabled people into his castle to dine with him. Like Christ, he was also recognized to wash the feet of all the people who entered his palace. St. Louis is super important to me. My family originally was centered around the St. Louis area in Missouri, we are St. Louis sports fans, and it’s one of my favorite places in America to go to. When I was preparing for Confirmation, and learned about the actual St. Louis that is the derivation of all of my favorite things, I knew it was a calling. St. Louis spoke to me about his crusading traits that made him who he was and who he is to me today. I look up to St. Louis for spiritual help, and I hope that you will too. St. Louis IX, King of France, Pray for Us!
 In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 16, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The disciples reply that some say John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. When Christ presses them further, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter steps forward and answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ, responds: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, by my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I build my Church.” As Simon names Christ, Christ renames Simon. Simon’s recognition of Christ’s identity merits him a new identity, both by name, and by acceptance into God’s family. Simon, once son of Jonah, becomes Peter, child of God, disciple of Christ, the rock of the Church. Our Christianity—our proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord—brings forth a new identity in all of us. The process first begins at baptism. On our behalf, our parents and godparents echo the sentiments of Peter through a profession of faith while the priest, describes our new identities through the words of the baptismal rite (emphases mine):
“You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.” Not only does the baptismal garment symbolize the state of our souls, freed from original sin, but it also reflects on the nature of clothing as a sign of identity. A priest in his collar, an athlete in his uniform, a mother with a diaper bag slung over her shoulder - what we put on our bodies says something about who we are. During our baptism, we are clothed with Christ - the pure and spotless victim, symbolized by a pure and spotless garment. The white of our baptismal garments also represents the invitation of Christ to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, social status, or gender. Despite the divisions we impose on one another through our many secondary identities, Christ makes no distinctions among the members of his Father’s house. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Galatians: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Our primary identity in Christ is universal and unified. So, what does our identity in Christ mean for us in the day to day? The baptismal rite covers that too. “With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that [Christian] dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.” St. James puts it a slightly different way: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” To the best of our abilities, as members of God’s family we must do two things: care and keep. Care: Be a doer of the word! Who needs your help? Ask God to show you who the orphans and widows are in your life, i.e., who needs you to provide something for them, whether it is material, emotional, or spiritual support. At some point, YOU will be a widow or orphan for someone else. When that time comes, ask God for the humility to accept help. Keep: Keep spotless your baptismal garment! Avoid the near occasion of sin, and when you don’t, repent and start over. Go to confession, receive the Eucharist, and spend as much time as you can in prayer. Grow close to Christ through your own sanctification. These directives from the baptismal rite and St. James depend on one another. The closer you are to Christ, the more you will serve his people. The more you serve his people, the closer you are to Christ. Notice that the baptismal rite specifies that you need the help of your “family and friends” to maintain your Christian dignity. You’re not in this alone. You have an entire community of believers behind you. Let’s be doers of the word together. *This blog is reposted and was originally published September 11, 2018.* AuthorLindsay Myers is a former Editing Associate at the Catholic Apostolate Center.
 Mission starts with Jesus Christ. Through Baptism, he gives us a share in his mission until he comes again. We are blessed to part of this mission and all of us are co-responsible for it. We need to collaborate with one another, not be in competition with one another, in living the mission that he has given each of us in communion. We do not know where the mission will take us. We are called to trust in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, and guidance of the Church, we will discern where we need to go forth and how we need to do it. We will be surprised at times where the mission will take us. Sometimes, we might think that we do not fully have what is needed to do it. The Holy Spirit will give us what is needed. Usually, what is needed is that we collaborate well with other believers and are sharers in the same mission. When we do that, then our efforts will last. August 17th, I celebrated 40 years of Consecration in the Society of the Catholic Apostolate. When I first made the six Promises of the Pallottines - Chastity, Poverty, Obedience, Perseverance, Sharing Resources, and Spirit of Service in the same parish church of my Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation, and later Ordination to the Priesthood, little did I know as a son of St. Vincent Pallotti where living the mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostle of the Eternal Father would take me. Every step of the way, there were others, laity, religious, and clergy, who shared in the mission with me. The mission starts with Christ, but we need to respond. We are not individuals on mission; we are apostles on mission! We are sent together and Christ is with us, the Holy Spirit guides us, unites us, and moves us forward. As we live the mission of Christ, let us be in prayer for one another. May the charity of Christ urge us on! In God, the Infinite Love, Fr. Frank
 Strengthening Your Faith as the School Year Begins The beginning of a new school year brings a familiar change of pace. Summer schedules give way to classes, meetings, practices, homework, work responsibilities, and activities. Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, or simply someone whose schedule becomes busier in the fall, this transition provides an opportunity to establish good habits—not only academically and professionally, but spiritually. For Catholics, the beginning of the school year can be a good time to examine our relationship with Christ and consider how we can make our faith a more consistent part of daily life. Growing in faith does not necessarily require adding a long list of activities to an already busy schedule. Instead, it can mean intentionally making room for prayer, formation, the sacraments, and the witness of the saints. Here are several practical ways to strengthen your faith as the school year begins. Establish a Consistent Prayer Routine One of the simplest ways to grow in faith is to pray consistently. A busy schedule can make prayer seem like another responsibility competing for our attention, but prayer is not simply another task to complete. It is how we develop our relationship with God. Consider establishing a specific time for prayer each day. This might be first thing in the morning, during a commute, before going to bed, or during another predictable part of your schedule. Even a few minutes of intentional prayer can help establish a habit. Your prayer routine could include Scripture, the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual reading, or simply time spent speaking with God and listening in silence. The important thing is consistency. A manageable prayer routine that you actually follow is more beneficial than an ambitious plan that quickly becomes unrealistic. Follow the Lives of the Saints The Catholic Church does not simply give us teachings to study; she gives us people to imitate. The saints demonstrate that holiness is possible in many different circumstances and vocations. They were priests and religious, parents and workers, scholars and students, missionaries and martyrs. Their lives remind us that following Christ is not limited to one particular way of life. The beginning of the school year is an especially good time to become more familiar with the saints. The Catholic Apostolate Center's Catholic Feast Days website is a useful way to incorporate the lives of the saints into your daily routine. The free app provides information about saints and blesseds, special devotions, and other celebrations of the liturgical calendar. It also provides daily notifications, making it possible to learn about a different holy man or woman throughout the year. Rather than simply noting a saint's name, take a few minutes to ask what that person's life can teach you. What virtue did he or she practice? What difficulties did the saint encounter? How did that person respond to God's call? Make Sunday Mass the Center of Your Week As schedules become crowded, Sunday Mass should remain a priority. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, and participation in Mass provides the foundation for everything else we do as Catholics. The beginning of a new school year can be a good opportunity to look at your Sunday routine and make Mass a fixed part of it. If you are a parent, consider how you can help your children understand that Sunday Mass is not simply another event on the weekend calendar. If you are a student, especially a college student living away from home, find a parish near your school and become part of its community. The goal is not simply to fit Mass into our schedule. Our schedules should be ordered around our relationship with God. Continue Learning About Your Faith Faith grows through prayer, but it also grows through formation. Catholics should continue learning about the faith throughout their lives. We do not need to become theologians, but we should seek to understand more deeply what the Church teaches and why. The school year itself can provide a helpful framework for this. Consider choosing one Catholic book to read over the course of a semester. It could focus on Scripture, the sacraments, the saints, prayer, Church history, or evangelization. The Catholic Apostolate Center's online store offers books and other formation resources that can be used for individual or group study. Resources such as The Art of Accompaniment provide practical ways to deepen our understanding of how Catholics are called to live and share their faith. The Center also offers resources related to St. Vincent Pallotti and Pallottine spirituality. You do not need to read an entire book at once. Set aside ten or fifteen minutes several times a week and allow the material to become part of your regular spiritual formation. Use Your Commute or Free Time for Catholic Formation Many people have small periods of unused time throughout the day. A commute, walk between classes, workout, or household chore can provide an opportunity to listen to something that strengthens your faith. The Catholic Apostolate Center Podcasts offer audio resources on Catholic faith formation, evangelization, Church history, and contemporary topics. The Center's On Mission podcast features conversations about practical aspects of Catholic life and missionary discipleship, while other audio resources include reflections and blogcasts. Listening to a Catholic podcast will not replace prayer or participation in the sacraments, but it can complement those practices and help keep your faith present throughout an otherwise busy day. Begin With One Habit There is no need to overhaul your entire spiritual life on the first day of school. Choose one habit and begin there. Pray for five minutes each morning. Learn about the saint of the day. Attend Sunday Mass faithfully. Read a Catholic book. Listen to a Catholic podcast during your commute. Find one concrete way to serve another person each week. Small practices, when repeated consistently, can shape our lives over time. The beginning of the school year offers a natural opportunity to establish those practices and to place Christ more intentionally at the center of our daily routines. As schedules fill and responsibilities increase, our faith should not become something we fit in only when there is extra time. Instead, our relationship with Christ should shape how we approach our studies, work, relationships, and responsibilities. A new school year is a new opportunity to grow in faith, deepen our relationship with God, and go forth as missionary disciples in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.
 As we begin this month of August, we trudge into another month of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. That doesn’t mean, however, that we don’t have much to look forward to with feast days this month. August is filled with feast days from saints who lived less than a century ago, all the way to saints from the early Church—from religious to laity, from saints I’ve learned about my whole life, to saints I had never heard of before. Let us take time throughout this month of August to learn about the Christ-filled lives of these powerful saints. Saints who Founded Religious Communities: There are many saints this month who founded religious communities—all of which have had a great impact on the Church. St. Dominic founded the Dominicans, also known as the Order of Preachers, which is a religious order known for their preaching and rich intellectual history. St. Clare of Assisi worked with St. Francis of Assisi and helped found the Poor Clares, a group of contemplative nuns and the second branch of the Franciscans to be founded, just after the Order of Friars Minor. Back in the time of the early church, St. Augustine wrote the Rule of St. Augustine, which became the foundation for the Augustinians. In the 12th century, St. Bernard of Clairvaux helped spread the Cistercian Order, an order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and remains strong today. St. Cajetan helped found the Theatines which became a religious order with many bishops and intellectuals in the Church. With the help of St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane Frances de Chantal founded the Visitation Order which was a religious order open to women who had been turned down from other orders for poor health or similar reasons. The French mystic St. John Eudes founded two religious orders in the 1600s, both following St. John Eudes’ special devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. More recently, in the 18th century, St. Alphonsus Liguori founded the Redemptorists, a religious community with a special devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In the 19th century, French priest St. Peter Julian Eymard helped found two religious orders, both with a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. At first, I found this list quite overwhelming. These saints founded and/or helped spread their religious orders, something I can’t even fathom, especially in our pandemic-affected world today. But then I recognized the beauty that comes to the Church as a result of this wide range of religious communities. Each community is called to follow their own unique charism, all while growing closer to Christ and bringing Him to others. After sitting with this, I realized that there is beauty in the lives of each of these saints and in how the Church works in many ways, through many charisms, to help lead everyone to a life of holiness. Martyrs in the Month: In a six day stretch next week, we will celebrate three well-known martyrs in the Church. Back in the early Church, St. Lawrence was killed and is famous for his quips as he was being grilled to his death—showing his faith in Christ to the end. Much more recently, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was a Discalced Carmelite nun who was killed at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II because of her Jewish heritage. Similarly, St. Maximillian Kolbe was martyred at Auschwitz, giving his life in place of another prisoner, and was thus bestowed the title “martyr of charity”. While we may not face martyrdom like these saints, we can learn from how they trusted Christ and pray for their intercession in our lives. Saints and Their Country: Later this month, we will celebrate the feast days of three saints who are known by their primary locations: St. Stephen of Hungary, St. Louis of France, and St. Rose of Lima. These saints all lived incredible lives, all very authentic to the community in which they lived. As we progress through this month, these saints can serve as role models for us in how we can follow Christ and bring others to Him in whatever region we find ourselves. As we walk through this August, let us look to the lives of the saints to learn to be saints right where God has called us to be through whatever charism He calls us to. To learn more about the saints, visit our Catholic Feast Days Website by clicking here. To view a calendar of the feast days in August, and each month, click here. *This blog is reposted and was originally published on August 3, 2021.* Author
 During my fifth year with D.C. United, the team brought in a nutrition specialist. The specialist gave his presentation and then looked toward a table in the middle of the locker room that held about 40 pill bottles of vitamins, supplements, mild pain relievers, gels, powders, and who knows what else. The nutritionist then walked over to the table, looked back to us, and said, “you know, if you just eat well you can throw all of these out. In fact, you’d be better off doing that.” He left the locker room five minutes later and never came back. For my first five years at DCU, I had been taking those vitamins and supplements at the recommendation of our strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers. Now a certified nutritionist deemed the whole thing a waste of time and had even said they could hinder our performance—I wondered what exactly to do. Who should I listen to? This memory has stayed with me because it matters a lot for an athlete what you do with your body. It matters how you train, eat, sleep, relax, and recover. You need to know what is helpful for your athletic development and what is unhelpful. I wanted to know if the pills and supplements helped me or hindered me. This all applies to athletic prudence in the natural realm. Prudence is the ability to judge rightly and act according to that knowledge. It is being able to think through things correctly and then make the right choice. Thus, athletic prudence is the ability to choose and act rightly in the realm of an athletic pursuit. We make decisions and then act based upon what we have concluded is actually helpful or unhelpful in relation to our goal. I would like to apply this same line of thinking to the virtue of prudence in the supernatural realm. We should be asking what is helpful or unhelpful in terms of our spiritual lives. Just like the nutritionist condemning our pill vault and making me wonder what was actually helpful for my soccer career, we should ask what in our lives helps or hinders us from going to God. In order for us to do this, of course, we must acknowledge that God is both our goal and a worthy (the most worthy!) goal at that. When I got to the height of my playing career I was devastatingly depressed for a very concentrated span of time (only several days). For months I pondered why I hit such a low point amidst more success than I had ever expected. Eventually, through the help of the Holy Spirit, I realized that God allowed me to feel the weight of my success without Him. It was an incredible grace—but also one that was difficult to really learn. Over time the truth that my soul was more important than my sport sunk in. I realized that much of what I had made my life about was, in the end, unhelpful for reaching the ultimate Goal who is God. I started applying my athletic thinking to my spiritual life. I started asking the right questions—is this helpful or unhelpful for my spiritual life? Should I be hanging out with this group of friends so much? Are my weekend habits really bringing joy to my life? Am I living as the person I want to be? Do I know who I want to be? These questions led—and continue to lead—me to Jesus, and I find myself needing to ask them again and again. Do the decisions I make help me become who I want to be? Or are my decisions hindering me from being that person? Athletic prudence helps athletes maximize their potential and use their God-given gifts to the best of their ability. This same principle can—and should—be applied to our spiritual lives. Are the decisions, actions, and principles that guide my life helpful? Are they leading me in a good direction? Prudence, says St. Thomas Aquinas, is the mother of the virtues. You cannot possess any virtue without the virtue of prudence because prudence is what enables us to recognize what is truly good (helpful) and then act according to that good. No athlete can become great apart from athletic prudence because athletic prudence enables the athlete to recognize and act upon what helps him or her become a good athlete. Far more important, however, is the realization that no person can become who they were created to be apart from supernatural prudence. It is not possible to follow Christ without first asking yourself what exactly it is you’re already following—what is it that shapes your decisions? It may be a desire for comfort, power, status, honor, wealth, success, popularity, or any number of things. But they all fall short. To be prudent you must know the end goal. You cannot attain the virtue of prudence in the whole of life without knowing that “it is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness.” *This blog is reposted and was originally posted on September 17, 2020.* AuthorTaylor Kemp is an instructor for the Denver Catholic Biblical School as part of the St. John Vianney Seminary Lay Division in the Archdiocese of Denver. He is a former professional soccer player, amassing over 100 appearances over six-years in Major League Soccer (MLS) for D.C. United, and playing for both the youth and full United States Men’s National Team. Taylor holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and BS in Business Management from the University of Maryland, College Park.
 "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 159). While it may come as a surprise, this quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church is taken from the dogmatic constitution Dei Filius of the First Vatican Council in 1870. For centuries, the Church has clearly taught that faith and reason are not opposed to one another. We can come to understand more deeply human life and truth through both. Those on mission for Christ need to use both. Simply presenting faith in a world that values reason, particularly scientific reason, is not enough. The person of reason wants to be sure of things. Faith is seen as something that is far from sure. Pope Leo offers a critique to this view in Magnifica Humanitas when he says, “The light of faith offers a perspective on reality that helps us recognize what we call the ‘contingency’ of the things of this world” (118). What he means is that this side of life is fleeting, and eternal life is just that, eternal. Those on mission for Christ recognize well this both/and. We are on mission in the world and also live for the world to come. We use our reason to understand the things of this world and hopefully change them for the good. Our faith helps us recognize that all things in this life will eventually pass away. Faith and reason equip us well for doing the mission of Christ in the world. May the charity of Christ urge us on! In God, the Infinite Love, Fr. Frank Author Fr. Frank S. Donio, S.A.C., D.Min. is Founding Director of the Catholic Apostolate Center and a member of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers and Brothers). He is also concurrently Provincial Rector of the Pallottines of the Immaculate Conception Province and Executive Director of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men of the United States (CMSM).
 As a college student, I am familiar with the fluctuation between being at home with my family and then apart from them at school. This pattern of separation and reunion leads me to make the most of the time I have with them. As I read of Jesus’ ministry, I can’t help but reflect on his experience of family. I can hardly imagine what it would have been like for Jesus to spend thirty years in Nazareth and then to leave his home to begin his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Based on my experience of being away from my parents and siblings, I would expect Him to take every chance to visit his mother and extended family, but, surprisingly, Scripture gives us a different story. Today’s gospel reading comes from the Gospel according to Matthew. It recounts the scene in which Jesus’ relatives try to speak with him, and Jesus provides a puzzling response. Seemingly rejecting his ties with his family, Jesus says, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?...For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Mt 12:48b, 50). Wouldn’t Jesus be eager to talk to his mother and cousins? However, we must notice that Jesus doesn’t tell his family to leave. Instead, he expands his “family.” Rather than diminishing the role of our blood relatives, Jesus widens our horizons. We learn that while our relationships with our immediate family are important, it is the bond of faith that connects us the most closely. In this passage, we are reminded that God gives us a family of faith: the Church. This unity is especially seen in the sacraments. For example, by our baptism, we become children of the Father and members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Because of this, we refer to one another as brothers and sisters. By our shared commitment to the mission of Christ, the baptized faithful work together to accomplish the will of our Father. In the Eucharist, we are united to Christ and his Church. We receive Communion to grow in communion! Further, this union persists not only despite physical distance, but even despite death. The Eucharist connects all the faithful from Earth to Purgatory to Heaven. In another instance, when we don’t follow the Father’s will, we turn to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to repair our relationship not only between ourselves and God, but with the entire Body. These are all aspects of the liturgy, the communal work of the Church to worship God and grow in sanctity through participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery. Whenever we participate in Mass or receive the sacraments, we do not complete an isolated act. What is more, we are actually nearer to our brothers and sisters through these actions. This communal celebration of the liturgy leads us to live with love not just for the members of the Body, but for all mankind. Just as we do not limit our love to our families but embrace the Church as our family, so too do we set our sights on serving those beyond the pews with the intent of drawing them into God’s family. Grounded in the depth of familial love and the breadth of the Church’s unity, the charity of Christ urges us on to reach out to our neighbor. The next time you find yourself feeling lonely or missing a friend or family member, remember that, through the celebration of the liturgy, we are all united to each other in Christ. Our vocations may lead us far and wide, and although this distance may prove challenging, we will never truly be far from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Author
 I want to start by talking about the Gospel reading for this inspiration. In Matthew 10:26-33, Jesus preaches to the disciples and says, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” This passage alone brings up two things that humans often struggle with: fear and death. It’s interesting that fear and death go hand and hand with each other because we humans are fearful of death because of what lies beyond death. Once we die, we are faced with the judgement of God. This is the moment in our faith that we are judged to either spend eternity in the netherworld or with God in Heaven. This is a scary thought for many reasons, but the biggest is that we are left completely and utterly defenseless. There’s no talking back, no excuses, and no second chances. It’s similar to the parable of the rich man and poor man. As the rich man refused to feed the poor, he beckoned to Heaven from the netherworld to let his brothers have warning about what would happen, to which Abraham refused saying “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31) So how do we avoid a fate like this? Well, it’s quite simple. To prepare for the moment of moments on Earth, we must embrace humility. A great way that I have been able to express humility is by going to adoration. In the presence of the Holy Eucharist, with Jesus looking right at me, I get no gain or victory by saying I’m perfect. I have my own faults, but the Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross has given all of us the ability to join him in Heaven, we just have to accept it. By embracing humility, we admit our own faults and we reject the sin of pride. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can be made pure again. My parents always say that we are saints after confession because our souls are now clean. Through humility, we are able to shed the cloak of pride, but another way we can prepare to be judged by God when we die is by not being attached to the things of this world. Now, this does not mean that you need to go sell everything and be homeless forever, but what it means is to unchain yourself from temptations like selfishness, greed, and lust. Unlike in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus stated above, we must not allow ourselves to succumb to greed. Catholicism doesn't condemn being rich, but it’s what you do with that money that God sees. Giving to the poor is a good start, but allowing the mind to be twisted and only focus on personal gains with money and wealth is being just like the rich man who was cast into the netherworld. I wanted to thank Fr. Mike Schmitz for this inspiration where he talks about the moment of moments, which you can listen to here. This was a wake up call for me, being that I have no idea when I can be called back to the Father, but through letting go and humility, it eradicates fear and the fear of death because if we all do these things, then we have nothing to fear when we die, for God will look upon us with proud and humble eyes and allow us to join him forever in Paradise. Author Andrew DiPietre is a summer associate at the Catholic Apostolate Center. He attends CUA with a double major in History and Theology while also minoring in Philosophy. Andrew is involved in the Knights of Columbus, Student Government Association, Campus Ministry, and Club Baseball. While not in DC, Andrew resides in Peachtree City Georgia.  My Grammy’s name was Pauline and she was fearless, loved loudly, and cared endlessly for her family and friends. Something remarkable about her that I remember from an early age was her impact on senior citizens and how hard she fought for them. A large community of seniors got together frequently, and their space in a church basement was nearing an end, so she as the director knew what to do: get a building built so the elderly in the community could come together in a space of their own. She fought and worked with the town, raised money, ground was broken, and the building was built. I remember being so very proud of her and wanting to be generous and fearless like her when I grew up. Another fearless woman named Pauline was from Brazil, who is known for her selfless work in her community and beyond and lived from 1865-1942. As a young person, Pauline worked to build up healthcare to places in Brazil that were rural and poor. As time and efforts continued, she discovered a need for care which the government couldn’t provide, so she formed a new community called The Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The care that was provided by this new order included: schools for children, former enslaved workers, and immigrants; hospitals in rural areas where healthcare outreach failed; and assistance to orphans and the elderly who had been left to suffer in the wake of industrialization in Brazil. In her final years, St. Pauline was removed from her position as Superior General, and she existed in the shadows of laundry work with absolute humility, but her institutionalized hospitals and schools set the framework for future initiatives and charity work in her country and many others. St. Pauline died doing work in her community for a developing nation, and her order still proudly exists today. Her love of Christ set forth a whole mission of caring for those in your own community, not seeking people in far away places, but the poor just outside her door. Her legacy calls us to look at our own communities and in our own cities and towns to do the work in our own backyards. My Grammy made strides in these efforts in her own way, building up a space to grow a loving and welcoming home for the elderly to spend quality time together in a safe, clean, and joyful way. She was determined to make space for those who were so often overlooked and who deserved the dignity to exist in a place to call their own. Both of these women stood for their communities and proved that you don’t even have to do a whole lot to make a whole world of a difference, you just have to try. We don’t have to be canonized Saints to serve those around us, we just have to have the courage to smile, say hello, and ask, “How are you?” and often that is enough to change a person’s whole day! To get started, here are some ways to support your community:
Author
 At some point during my time as a college student, I encountered the great saint and medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), and began to realize just how truly important and vast was his intellectual impact in history. As a witness to the profound and enduring quality of Thomas’ theological insight and teaching, the Catholic Church honors him with the title “Doctor of the Church.” Thomas certainly spent much of his life in a classroom teaching and debating on the most relevant questions of his day. But when it came to his primary vocation as a Christian, the soft-spoken saint would be quick to point out that he was first and foremost a student. The word disciple literally means “learner” or “student.” In the Bible, a disciple is, “A student or follower who emulates the example set by a master and seeks to identify with the master’s teachings.” (Catholic Bible Dictionary, ed. Scott Hahn) For Thomas, discipleship meant being an entirely devoted student of Jesus Christ. One of Thomas’ theological principles was that everything Jesus said and did was meant for our imitation and instruction. In the time of Jesus, a disciple did not just learn from, but learned to be like their teacher. We see this, for example, at the Sermon on the Mount, which is an extended lesson about a radically new vision for life received at the feet of their teacher (“Rabbi”), Jesus. Today, the Church’s emphasis on the New Evangelization to make and grow as disciples also means we are to become in every way students of Jesus. Here are three important ways Aquinas modeled being a student of Jesus, a disciple, worthy of our imitation. A Student of Scripture For Thomas, Sacred Scripture makes known “that heart of Christ” (see CCC 112), and we acquire that heart gradually by reading and studying the Bible. In addition to composing many commentaries on individual books of the Bible, all of Thomas’ writings demonstrate a life soaked in a love and knowledge of Holy Scripture. Thomas realized the impossibility of growing as disciples of Jesus apart from familiarity with the living Word of God. A Student of Prayer Even with a multitude of followers and demands, Jesus was frequently found in personal prayer with the Father. Similarly, as prolific a writer as Thomas was, Thomas never sacrificed his time of prayer and contemplation for the sake of work or greater productivity. As a result, aside from his dense technical writings in theology, Thomas composed captivating prayers that the Church uses in liturgy and devotions even today. Thomas loved to pray through song, and among his most well known prayers include the famous Eucharistic hymns “O Salutaris,” “Tantum Ergo,” and “Adoro Te Devote.” A Student of Truth Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). In a culture saturated with opinion and often biased news, we can learn from Thomas’ unceasing search for truth. A love of the truth compelled Thomas to devote himself to understanding the world around him (even where he disagreed), to be slow to judge, quick to learn, but steadfast in his convictions and trust in Jesus. Whether you are in school or beyond, Thomas models what it means for a disciple to seek the truth. That could mean doing more research about our opinions, being more willing to have our perspective challenged, or just trying to learn something new every day. Thomas even has a great Prayer for Students that we can all apply to whatever situation Jesus is calling us to keep learning about. To learn more about prayer, please click here. *This blog is reposted and was originally published January 25, 2017.* Author
 With the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, many of us are remembering our country’s past starting with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While American Catholicism arguably began before 1776, the semiquincentennial of our nation is a great time to remember what makes American Catholicism unique. From the founding of American religious orders to the election of Pope Leo XIV last year, we Catholics in the United States have a beautiful tradition of our own to both celebrate and carry with us for the next generation. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, let us offer prayers of gratitude and intercession for our nation. Here are 3 American saints we can turn to with our prayers: 1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton If you’ve gone to a Catholic school, then you’ve got Elizabeth Ann Seton to thank. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth grew up Episcopalian. She married William Magee Seton in 1794, but he died of tuberculosis just nine years later. After her husband passed, Elizabeth converted to the Church and became a Catholic in 1805. Her family disowned her because of her conversion. Eventually, Elizabeth moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland. There, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s and St. Joseph’s school, which paved the way for other Catholic schools. She died in 1821 and was canonized in 1975, becoming the first native-born U.S. citizen to become a Saint. When Elizabeth converted to the Church, being a Catholic in America was very unpopular, and she lost her family and wealth because of her decision to follow Christ. Today, being Catholic in America, where many of the values of the Church are unpopular in society, is still not easy. Speaking out for what we believe in may cost us our reputation in the eyes of others. Elizabeth shows us how we can still live for Christ even when it’s hard and be brave, for the Gospel can plant seeds for the next generation. 2. Blessed Solanus Casey When you think of famous priests, you usually imagine eloquent preachers or cardinals – not a porter. But Blessed Solanus Casey touched thousands of people’s lives in this simple job. Born in Wisconsin in 1875, Solanus tried various trades before entering St. Francis Seminary when he was 21. He left and eventually joined the Capuchins in 1896 and was ordained a priest in 1904. Because his studies were difficult for him and his superiors did not believe his theology to be developed enough, Solanus wasn’t allowed to preach or hear confessions. Most of his ministry was spent as a porter or sacristan, but it was through these small roles he touched the hearts of so many people and shared his wisdom with them. When Solanus died in 1957, over 20,000 mourners paid their respects to his coffin. In the middle of everyday life, especially in a secular country, witnessing to the Gospel is difficult. If we live ordinary lives, it can feel nearly impossible. Solanus shows us that even if our voices are small, God can echo them further than we can imagine. Even when his superiors stacked the deck against him, Solanus used the small moments to carry God’s light to others. We can do the same, no matter what our vocation might be. 3. Venerable Fulton Sheen Venerable Fulton Sheen (soon-to-be Blessed Fulton Sheen) was a theologian, bishop, and evangelist, using radio and TV to spread the Gospel during the 20th century. Born in Illinois in 1895, he was raised in a Catholic family and was ordained to the priesthood in 1919. Throughout his vocation, Sheen wore many hats: professor, theologian, philosopher, and bishop. What he is most known for was for evangelizing through countless books, radio hours, and TV broadcasts. He even won an Emmy for his show Life is Worth Living and pulled in more viewers than the popular variety shows that aired at the same time. In his writings and preaching, Sheen covered a variety of topics, from education to the sacraments to reflections on Scripture, with a clear and kind voice. JPII even said to him, “"You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church." Sheen died in 1979, but his influence still reaches to the present day. Like us, Sheen was living in an age defined by its technological advancements. He used these resources to boldly spread the Gospel to millions of people. Even after Sheen adapted to the radio for his show The Catholic Hour, he wasn’t afraid to rise to the challenge of using television to teach everyday people about the Church. In times of change, we can look to the saint as an example of how to adapt to share the Gospel. There are others as well, including St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. John Neumann, St. Katherine Drexel, Blessed Michael McGivney, Venerable Augustus Tolton, and more. This Independence Day, learn more about one of these American saints or even the history of your local diocese. Our country has so much history to celebrate this year – including the people that helped shape the Catholic faith in the United States. Author
|
Archives
September 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
About |
Media |
© COPYRIGHT 2026 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED