To answer this question we must first be clear on how the gospels were formed and what constitutes authorship. Citing Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, the Catechism has a very succinct presentation on the formation of the gospels … Continued
This question is not new. Textbooks of Church History usually refer to this as the “filioque clause controversy.” (Filioque is Latin for “and the Son.”) The creedal citation referenced actually appears in the Creed of the Council of Constantinople (381). … Continued
In the Gospel of St. John, the term “the Jews” appears frequently and identifies the opposing forces against our Lord Jesus. Here are two examples: First, in the story of the man born blind (Chapter 9:1-41), Jesus cures the anonymous … Continued
Most Missalette’s do print both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles’ Creed may be used at Masses where children are the majority, like a parochial school Mass. The Directory For Children’s Masses does specify, “the Apostles’ Creed … Continued
The Pentateuch, commonly called the Torah among the Jews, refers to the first five books of the Old Testament– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books are partly historical and partly legal. They trace the history of the Chosen … Continued
Unfortunately, some misguided individuals– including some popular television evangelists– have wrongfully accused the Catholic Church of forbidding the faithful to read the Bible. Such accusations could not be further from the truth. One must always remember that the Roman Catholic … Continued
In examining the issue of celibacy, we should first address its historical development in the life of the Church and then its spiritual basis and relevance for today’s clergy. Our Lord presented celibacy as a legitimate lifestyle not only by … Continued
This question refers to Jesus’ teaching found in the gospel of St. Matthew, when He said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father. Only one is your father, the One in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). Taken literally, we would have … Continued
In our politically charged world, the debate over the restriction of ordination to men alone too often focuses on the political rather than the theological. Moreover, how some people receive the Church’s teaching also seems to focus on a political … Continued
In addressing this question, we must first remember that the Sacrament of Holy Orders, like Baptism and Confirmation, is a character sacrament. Each character sacrament confers an indelible spiritual character upon the recipient. These sacraments are not repeated and are … Continued
The Second Vatican Council dedicated the eighth chapter of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church to our Blessed Mother. Since our Lord continues His work and saving mission through His body, the Church, the council fathers, particularly under the guidance … Continued
We as Catholics firmly believe that Mary is “ever virgin.” The Catechism asserts, “The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the … Continued
The title, “Our Lady of Sorrows,” given to our Blessed Mother focuses on her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of our Lord. Traditionally, this suffering was not limited to the passion and death event; rather, it … Continued
To understand the title, “Mother of God,” we must first clearly understand Mary’s role as mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As Catholics, we firmly believe in the incarnation of our Lord: Mary conceived by the power of the Holy … Continued
A persistent confusion seems to exist over the “Immaculate Conception.” Some people mistakenly think the term is related to Mary’s conception of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. However, the Immaculate Conception is the belief that “the most … Continued
The story begins in the early morning hours of December 9, 1531, when a fifty-seven-year-old Indian peasant named Juan Diego was walking along the path of Tepayec Hill on the outskirts of Mexico City. Keep in mind that only ten … Continued
Addressing a jubilant crowd of over 500,000 people packed into St. Peter’s Square, Pope Pius XII solemnly defined in Munificentissimus Deus on November 1, 1950 that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her … Continued
The title and the idea of “the sleep of Mary” is more formally known as “the Dormition of Mary.” (Dormition comes from the Latin dormire, meaning “to sleep.”) The title “Dormition” can be misleading because it seems to focus more … Continued
We find these terms in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (specifically the Loreto version), which was composed in the mid-16th century. St. Peter Canisius (d. 1597) popularized the litany in 1558 when he published it to foster devotion … Continued
The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is an icon, painted on wood, and seems to have originated around the thirteenth century. Traditionally, the image is also known as “Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.” The icon (about 54 x … Continued