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As a Catholic father of four young children it is my biggest hope that the Catholic Faith will be kindled in the hearts and minds of my children. They mean everything to me, and so does my faith. Naturally, the two intersect, so I’m always keeping my eyes open for the best books and materials […]
Your Children Will Love These Three Books About Jesus and the Faith Read More »
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It is well-nigh impossible to be well-read these days without at least knowing the names of the English writers G. K. Chesterton and J. R. R. Tolkien. Tolkien has captured the imagination of the world through his great epic, The Lord of the Rings, and the at times densely theological, at times amusing writings of
“Saint Tolkien”: Why This English Don Is on the Path to Sainthood Read More »
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Saint Maria Goretti is often remembered as a martyr who died in defense of her chastity. In the face of being violated and raped, she cried out to her attacker, “No! It is a sin!” She even forgave her attacker and murder while she lay in the hospital dying. No doubt some, if not all,
5 Real Reasons Why Saint Maria Goretti is Remarkable Read More »
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Back when he was still Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, John Paul II first came across the story of Pier Giorgio Frassati at an exhibit in Krakow, Poland. After learning about him, John Paul II began calling Pier the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes”. Years later, the cardinal became pope and was able to beatify Pier in
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati – the Man of the Beatitudes Read More »
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Saint Pope John Paul II once said that “freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” Independence Day brings with it celebrations, and fireworks, cookouts, and a few “cold ones”. It also is a great opportunity to pause for a moment and think about what
What Does Freedom Mean to Us as Catholics? Read More »
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The house of the Holy Family is where Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph lived for a time in Galilee. It’s also believed to be the place where the Incarnation took place! The house was miraculously moved or “translated” from Galilee to Loreto, Italy where it is today. Many Pontiffs, Doctors of the Church, and saints
You Won’t Believe What We Know About the House of the Holy Family! Read More »
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Summer time living is easy – perhaps a little too easy! Summer is a time when people typically go on vacation and relax their otherwise scheduled and routine lives. Oftentimes, that also includes our prayer life. So, how can a Catholic keep their faith alive during the summer months? Celebrating feast days can be one
3 Fun Ways to Celebrate Feast Days This Summer Read More »
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Beauty and the Beast is a timeless tale that many of us cherish from our childhood. As with all good fairy stories, there are layers of meaning and analogy that can be gleaned from it. But have you ever considered it under the lens of evangelization? When taken as a story of the conversion of
5 Things Beauty and the Beast Teaches Us About Beauty and Evangelization Read More »
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Sadly, it has become all too routine for me to look around at Mass (I attend a round parish, so it’s easy to see other people) and see no one singing. Even the Mass parts which are the same every weekend are barely sung. It does not matter if the hymns are traditional or contemporary;
7 Reasons Why You Need to Crack Open That Mass Hymnal and Make a Joyful Noise Read More »
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Most American parishes try to have some sort of outreach to their youths. Parishes are involved with LifeTeen, EDGE, or at least a sacramental preparation program. Almost all dioceses in America also try to offer youth rallies or events geared towards their youth. Every diocese has at least one Catholic school. We know that youth
3 Problems Surrounding American Catholic Youth Ministry Read More »
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In his weekly video hosted by Ascension Presents, Father Mike Schmitz talks about a trip that his parents took to Oxford. During their time with the Brits, they stopped into a pub called Eagle and Child. They sent a picture of a bar booth to Father Mike Why would Father Mike’s parents spend time in
What the English Dons Can Teach Catholics About Drinking Read More »
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Every year at Epic Pew, I reflect on the music I’ve listened to or been introduced to. There is an incredible amount of secular songs that aren’t explicitly Catholic or Christian that still point us toward the Almighty. Read more: Secular Songs That Can Bring Us Closer to God Here are this year’s picks for secular
Secular Songs to Bring You Closer to God: Volume 3 Read More »
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Sometimes, people only think of Catholics as those who fast and abstain from certain food. But in reality Catholics love food! For every feast day there is a special food or feast prepared. Italians cook a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, there are zeppoli on the feast of Saint Joseph, and don’t
The 7 Most Catholic Foods in the World Read More »
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We’re living in a politically and socially turbulent time. Of course, this isn’t something new. There has always been unrest where politics and governments have been concerned. However, with how widespread and widely shared news stories are in our hyper-connected age, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Many of us don’t know where to start or
4 Tips for Catholics During Politically Turbulent Times Read More »
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In 2007, a skeleton of a crucifixion victim from the Roman era was discovered during an excavation for a pipeline that was being placed. Romans used crucifixion as a popular form of torturous death. But what many of us don’t realize is that we have only found two skeletons in quality to even allow study.
Archaeological Finds Reveal the Horrific Reality of Crucifixion Read More »
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Whenever I’m asked if Catholics worship statues, I’m reminded of a story I once heard from a traveling priest at our parish. He mentioned touring the church he was to celebrate mass at the next day and he noticed a group of children praying to the statue of Mary. Upon further inspection, he realized that
Do Catholics Worship Statues? Read More »
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J.R.R. Tolkien was a genius Catholic writer who gave us such enduring and magnificent literary creations as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Maybe you’re familiar with Tolkien’s life and want to go even deeper into his stories. Perhaps you only have a working knowledge of him and his works and want to learn more.
This Website Brings J.R.R. Tolkien into Your Home and Heart Read More »
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Ignatius Press, the leader in quality Catholic publications has three excellent new resources for your devotions (and scholarship) to Mary. It took a month for me to get through all three of them, and I consider them a set, though you can buy them separately. In any case, if you’re serious about Mary, the Immaculate
You Need These 3 New Resources If You’re Serious About Mary Read More »
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When talking about Catholicism with our Protestant brothers and sisters, they may ask you to prove your point with Scripture. You may be asked the question “Where is that in the Bible?” While few Christians disagree that Baptism and the Eucharist are found in the Bible, some may ask you where you find the rest
Where Are the Seven Sacraments in the Bible? Read More »
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At the suggestion of good spiritual directors, I’ve been practicing quiet prayer for several years. What I love most about it is just being with the Lord in his silence. As many others have testified, one experiences in contemplative prayer the extraordinary, presence-filled quiet of profound peace. When someone else in Adoration turns a page
How Contemplation Prepared Me for Tinnitus Read More »
