Learning to be Quick to Listen

Pope Francis has lamented the decline of marriage in contemporary society in the past, noted that it is marked by skepticism, distrust, and hostility. He emphasized that a culture that undervalues the "stable and life-giving covenant between a man and woman" suffers a significant loss. He called for a renewed effort to honor marriage and the family while acknowledging the urgent need to restore respect and dignity to women, who are often exploited and objectified. The Pope's reflections align with the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which emphasizes the profound significance of marriageas a sacrament instituted by God. It highlights the unique and complementary nature of man and woman, designed for a lifelong union of love and mutual support. The Book of Genesis offers a powerful illustration of this divine plan. God, after creating the heavens and the earth, created man in His image and likeness to care for and steward His creation. Yet, even as ...

The Sacrament of Reconciliation , often referred to as Confession, is a cornerstone of Catholic life. It offers a profound encounter with God's mercy and an opportunity for spiritual renewal. As Pope Saint John Paul II eloquently stated, "Reconciliation is not simply a human act; rather, it is an act of God himself, an act of his mercy." The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that this sacrament is an integral part of the Church's mission of healing and reconciliation. It describes Confession as a "sacrament of conversion," where the sinner encounters the love and forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Bishop Barron , in his insightful reflections, often highlights the transformative power of this sacrament. He emphasizes that true repentance involves not only acknowledging our sins but also experiencing a genuine sorrow for having offended God and others. This sorrow, coupled with a firm purpose of amendment, opens the door to ...

The family , the fundamental unit of society, has been the cornerstone of human civilization for millennia. Rooted in the divine plan, the family structure of one man and one woman has been integral to the well-being of individuals and communities. The Catholic Church, as a guardian of timeless truths, has consistently affirmed the sanctity of marriage and the importance of the family. The Catholic Church views marriage as a sacred sacrament, a bond ordained by God. This divine institution unites a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant of love and fidelity. Through the sacrament of Matrimony, couples receive the grace to love each other unconditionally, to raise their children in faith, and to build strong families. Unfortunately, in recent decades, we have witnessed a decline in the importance placed on family life. The rise of individualism, secularism , and a culture of death has led to a growing number of people choosing to remain single or to delay or avoid marriage and paren...

The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is a divine mystery. One of the most profound and awe-inspiring doctrines of the Catholic Church is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This belief, rooted in the teachings of the Bible and the Church's tradition, affirms that after the consecration of bread and wine during the Mass, Jesus Christ is truly present in body, blood, soul, and divinity. The foundation for this belief lies in the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. In John 6:51-58, Jesus says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." This passage clearly indicates Jesus' intention to give himself as spiritual food. The Catechism of the Catholic Church elaborates on this doctrine, stating, "Under the consecrated species of bread and wine, Christ is present in a unique and incomparable way. H...

People from a variety of faiths and backgrounds will unite in Washington, D.C., April 25 to uphold marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the third annual March for Marriage. “It’s going to be a diverse group, and it’s going to highlight how people of different faiths and backgrounds all come together to support the truth, and marriage is the union of a man and a woman,” Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, told CNA. The third annual March for Marriage will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and precedes April 28 oral arguments at the Supreme Court on a critical marriage case that could determine the civil definition of marriage nationwide. The march normally takes place in June, but Brown told CNA that this year it was rescheduled to April to coincide with the oral arguments for Obergefell v. Hodges. That case involves four marriage decisions by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in November. At that time, the court upheld trad...