If you have ever wondered why the Church keeps an annual liturgical calendar of feasts and celebrations, you are not alone…Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Triduum, Easter, Ordinary Time. This cycle that seems to be on permanent repeat each and every year is actually a great gift that the Church bestows upon us.
Category «The Church (Authority, Structure & History)»
Graces Flow From The Church
Most of us are quite familiar with the biblical story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. No business allowed. Only worship. This is certainly true, but there is also another interesting perspective that relates to the prophesy of the Church found in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. The free flowing of grace from the Church is vital to the transmission and transformation of life.
Living In Holy Communion
When we say Amen when presented the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass, we are saying much more than I believe that this host is Jesus or that this cup contains Jesus. We are saying that we desire to be in Holy Communion with Jesus, His Church, His Mystical Body, and that we believe and profess to be true ALL that the Church teaches.
Reverent Worship
In his address to the Eastern Churches, Pope Leo XIV spoke eloquently about the traditions of Eastern spirituality and their sense of mystery, and the Eastern Churches are needed by the Universal Church. He also said the East, ever ancient and ever new, is a medicine for the West. Perhaps revisiting Latin spirituality and worship can benefit from a look to the East.
Shepherding The Church
As the words, habemus papem, are proclaimed from the central loggia of the Basilica of St. Peter, all eyes in the world turn to see our new pope take center stage. Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy in hope and prayer, becoming the 267th shepherd of the Universal Church.
Pope Peter
Many folks think the Catholic belief that Peter was made the first pope of the Catholic Church by Jesus is merely a human tradition. A quick search of Sacred Scripture shows that the Petrine Primacy is of divine origin and intended as an office to be maintained as long as there is a Church on earth.
Enter The Conclave
The whole world watches with anticipation as the cardinals of Roman Catholic Church solemnly enter the Sistene Chapel at the Vatican after praying to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit promising to keep the whole process secret. We are taken with mystery, intrigue, and holy anticipation as we await the results.
We Need A Pope
With the death of Pope Francis, the Universal Church enters a time known as the Interregnum, a time between popes. The process of electing a new leader for the Catholic Church is one steeped in tradition, customs, mystery, and even intrigue, but we believe the Holy Spirit is present for all of it.
Fishers Of Men
Everyone knows that it is our Christian duty to evangelize, but not everyone recognizes that evangelization must always be done in connection with and in the context of the Church, the boat of Peter.
My Mass Experience
When we go to Mass, we naturally should seek benefits from that experience. But, perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are seeking entertainment and emotional gratification, or if we are seeking spiritual benefits and graces. This same question could be applied to our broader view of our Catholic faith.