Lisa Hendey of www.CatholicMom.com posted this great video from this morning’s closing Mass of the Theology of the Body Congress with Cardinal Justin Rigali of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It was a poignant moment as the attendees closed in celebration of not only the Divine Liturgy, but in celebration of the renewal that is happening through this incredibly powerful work of John Paul II. Thanks for posting this Lisa! For more on the Theology of the Body Congress, check out this morning’s article here.

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I often wonder if Venerable John Paul II had any idea the kind of lasting impact he would have on the world. On that September day when the white smoke announced to the world that we indeed had a new Pope, did he know in those moments that God would use him to not only affect the Church during the time of his Papacy, but the entire world for many years to come?
During his first five years as Pontiff, His Holiness, dedicated his Wednesday Audiences to deliver one message, it …

“When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

- St. Francis de Sales

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“O Lord, we cannot go to the pool of Siloe to which you sent the blind man. But we have the chalice of Your Precious Blood, filled with life and light. The purer we are, the more we receive.”
- St. Ephraem

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As a new feature, every Sunday I will post a new quote about the Eucharist for your reflection and prayer. I will schedule it to post on Saturday at 4pm Eastern Time to allow for anyone going to the Vigil Mass a chance to read it. The quotes will be taken from the writings of the Saints as well as an occasional quote from a more modern source such as myself or a modern writer or musician.
“If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes …

This week I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit the set of a new film, Courageous, by Sherwood Pictures (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof). What an incredible week it was.  I was there as a part of media and ministry week. There were over 100 representatives from various media outlets, bloggers (like me), and ministry leaders.
Courageous, is a story of four Sheriff’s Deputy’s who vow to “serve and protect” as officers and who daily fight for good, but in their own lives they struggle with understanding who …

This post was originally posted on April 13, 2009 – Easter Monday

So Easter Sunday has come and gone. It was a beautiful day. I enjoyed my time with my wife and daughter and with some new friends. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and the beautiful surroundings of Graylin Manor, then some quality time outside. It was such a great and blessed day.
So now what? Easter is only one day for most people in this country but in the Church Easter goes on for a few more weeks. We continue to …

Originally Published April 10, 2009
As I sat in the fourth row back of our Church gazing at the newly painted Corpus (Christ’s Body on the Crucifix) I was enamored by the beautiful detail of Christ’s body. The Corpus is an incredible masterpiece with the detail of the muscles being as remarkable as any world-class athlete on the front page of Sports Illustrated.
I have no clue if Christ was so physically fit as he is portrayed. I do believe however that he was perfection, the beautiful form of His body on …

Holy Thursday is my favorite of all days in the Church year. I love the whole Mass, the washing of the feet, the breaking of the bread, the beloved disciple resting his head on Jesus’ chest, the betrayal – I love the whole story, the whole mystery.
Every year I reflect on some different part of the Holy Thursday traditions, some years I’ve tried my hardest to “stay awake” with Christ while he agonizes in the garden, some years I reflect on whether or not I would deny him three times, …

Thorns, burdens, and a back ache
I was talking with a friend recently whom I pray for regularly. He too is involved in ministry and impacts a lot of people. Yet he is scourged by a physical burden that he has had for some time. Whenever he has asked me to pray for him I always pray for this physical pain to leave him so that he would not be distracted. In a recent conversation I realized that perhaps it was not God’s desire for this burden to leave him. Perhaps …