Ambrose here provides a fascinating glimpse into the rites preceding baptism in 4th century Milan as well as into the adult catechesis (RCIA) of the early Church in which direct discussion of the sacraments, mystagogia, was given only after people had already received the sacraments...
In 2016, Pope Francis elevated the annual memorial of Mary Magdalene on July 22 to that of a Feast, the same status as celebrations of the apostles and evangelists. In light of the fact that she announced the good news of the resurrection to the...
The parable of the wheat and the weeds is Jesus' response to those who want to cleanse the Christian community of the impure and imperfect. The Church, in this world, is more a hospital for sinners than a club for saints....
On October 24,1964, in his Apostolic Letter, Pacius Nuntius, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Saint Benedict of Nursia, patriarch of western monasticism, the Principal Patron of Europe at Monte Cassino Abbey. Here is an excerpt. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='65' color='' background_color='' border_color='']W[/dropcaps]hen the man of God was keeping watch...
A 14 minute podcast for the Feast of St. Benedict on July 11. Sonrise Morning show host Anna Mitchell interviews Dr. Italy about the significance that Benedict and the Benedictine life of prayer, work and stability holds for Christians today....
The Parable of the Sower and the Seed needs to be viewed from two different perspectives in order to unlock its meaning - from that of the sower and that of the seed. Whether sowing or growing - the point is a plentiful harvest...
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus makes the statement "my yoke is easy, my burden light." For many of us who follow him, this does not seem to square with our experience. This post discusses the reasons for this....
In this 14 minute podcast, Sonrise Morning Show Host Matt Swaim discusses with Dr. Italy why St. Irenaeus (feast day June 28) was such a pivotal figure in the history of Christianity, truly a link between the apostles and the Church today. Dr. Italy and Matt...
On the Solemnity (Feast) of the apostles Peter & Paul, disciples & martyrs who said yes to Jesus' call "follow me," the patronal feast of the Church of the City of Rome, the apostolic see, June 29....
Jesus says to deny self, pick up the cross and follow him. But he also says to love your neighbor as yourself. Is self-love always wrong?...