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10 New Valuable Ways You Can Fast During Lent
Anne Stricherz - Feb 16, 2016
We are called to pray, fast and give alms in an intentional way during Lent. Why? Because Lent is about conversion—turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way. As written by Catholic Relief Services “we fast, or give things up, as a reminder to remove things in our lives that get in the way of our relationship with God. When we feel hungry or choose not to eat the things we like, we are reminded that everything we have is a gift from God.” My hope is... -
Introducing What You Really Need to Know about Religious Orders
W. P. Bennett - Feb 3, 2016
I’ve been to World Youth Days. I’ve been to the March for Life in Washington DC and the Walk for Life in San Francisco (but not in the same year). I’ve been to plenty of gatherings where a lot of Catholics will be and I’m always amazed at the number of different religious clothing that people have. I’m not talking about tee shirts with religious slogans or bible verses on them, but rather clothing distinctive to a particular group of priests or... -
14 Important February Saints You Should Definitely Know
Jeannie Ewing - Feb 2, 2016
February is that month of dormancy, if not when we hibernate in our homes, then when we retreat into the sanctuary of our heart. Winter months invite solace and solitude, a time of rest and rejuvenation for the bustling spring and summer months ahead. What better way to prepare ourselves for Lent (which arrives early in February this year) than to ponder these inspirational saints whose feasts we celebrate this month? Perhaps we may find a kindred spirit in one or two of them... -
The Ultimate List of The Catholic Shrines in the USA
Sara and Justin Kraft - Jan 21, 2016
What is a Catholic shrine? A Catholic shrine is a church or other sacred place which has the approval of the local bishop and which is visited by the faithful as pilgrims (Canon 1230). While sometimes it can be a burial place of a saint or Marian apparition, more commonly it is erected as a center for specific devotion. "What Catholic Shrines are near me?" You can find a full listing of all shrines within the United States here, but we've selected the most... -
19 Wonderful, Inspiring Bible Quotes Women Really Should Know
Jeannie Ewing - Jan 13, 2016
Like many women, I am an avid fan of nonfiction, and of that, my favorite are short devotionals that revolve around inspirational Scripture verses. Women tend to master the art of multitasking, so it’s important that the encouragement we receive on a daily basis be focused and uplifting. Naturally, the Bible is a treasure trove for such inspiration, and women can be certain that they will glean strength and hope from some of the most beloved of verses (and some lesser known... -
10 Awesome Ways to Jumpstart your Spirituality in the New Year
John Kubasak - Jan 7, 2016
I long gave up on New Years’ resolutions. I’m a big fan of resolutions in the theoretical realm. Keeping them, however, is the trick—and something I’m terrible at it. Resolutions are far harder to keep than to make, and they’re helpful for identifying needed areas of growth/change in our lives. Out of all the worthy areas we could focus our resolutions—health, family, adventures, work—the spiritual life is often one area neglected by... -
5 Beautiful Images of the Nativity to Help your Prayer Life
Anne Stricherz - Dec 29, 2015
Every year, I save the cards that have special meaning for me. I have noticed that a significant number of them feature the Nativity of Our Lord. It’s a poignant image for the season, because it depicts who and what we celebrate. Nativity scenes often feature more than a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Magi, shepherds, angels, animals and sometimes-small children visit Him. I am reminded through the Nativity that God is with us: Emmanuel. Here are five images I... -
Do You Know What this Classic Christmas Carol Really Means?
Sara and Justin Kraft - Dec 21, 2015
To our ears, the familiar Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” seems to be a merry carol we sing (and in our home we use it to help our three year old learn to count). However, its origin is something more out of a spy movie than a child’s imagination. The song was composed in England during a time of great persecution for Catholics. Do you know what this classic Christmas carol really means? -
How to Celebrate the Advent Season: 5 Awesome World Traditions
Jeannie Ewing - Dec 17, 2015
Various Advent traditions are celebrated throughout the world today. In our western way of life, we can adopt some of these vibrant and rich Advent celebrations from our brothers and sisters around the world. Many of these customs are available in parts of our nation with a large population of a particular culture, but even if we do not have access to a live representation of them, we can recreate them in our own way and install a new family tradition that is sure to be beloved... -
10 Practical Ways to Celebrate Advent This Year
Jeannie Ewing - Dec 14, 2015
Though we have officially entered the third week of Advent with Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday, there are still nearly two weeks remaining before the Christmas season begins. I am always aghast that our world begins celebrating Christmas shortly after Halloween ends, and then on December 26, it’s as if the holiest of seasons has suddenly vanished. My dear Christian brothers and sisters, let us remember that Advent is such a beautiful gift for us, especially in this... -
Why Do Catholics Believe in the Immaculate Conception?
Sara and Justin Kraft - Dec 8, 2015
We celebrate a beautiful and important feastday this week, in the middle of Advent. December 8 marks the “Feast of the Immaculate Conception” in the Catholic Church. The Church uses the word “Feast” to describe a day of commemoration in which we remember and ponder events of particular significance in salvation history. The teaching of the Immaculate Conception is so fundamental that the Feast has been raised to a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning the truth is so... -
12 Inspiring Thanksgiving Quotes from Catholic Saints
Jeannie Ewing - Nov 30, 2015
Gratitude is one of the most overlooked and underutilized virtue in our post-modern society, which is filled with narcissism and cynicism. Unlike these worldviews and lifestyles, gratitude springs forth from charity and humility, both of which naturally extend our hearts into a spirit of thanksgiving – for what we have been given, for who God is, and mostly for His love and mercy. The saints, of course, knew this well. Most practiced gratitude on a daily basis as it... -
What is Vocation in The Catholic Church?
W. P. Bennett - Nov 24, 2015
Our vocation is constantly being called out to us by God. It will fit us flawlessly, but in order to hear it we need to learn how to tune out the competing voices calling out for our attention. Hopefully this article will help with some skills on how to do that. We’ll look first at what a vocation means, some examples of vocations from scripture, and then look at the nature of vocations in our world today and some helpful suggestions on how to drown out the competing... -
14 Of The Most Powerful Peace Quotes From St Teresa Of Avila
Maureen Dillon - Nov 17, 2015
With the political volitility in the US, Christian persecutions in the Middle East and natural disaters throughout the world, it can be challenging to continue to hope for peace in the world--the peace of Christ, the Prince of Peace. As Christians, we accept that we live in a fallen world and the cross is a reality. We accept that suffering and death are part of this journey, but that the ultimate reality is the Resurrection. We also accept that peace begins in our own hearts, our own... -
11 Awesome November Saints That You Really Can’t Miss
Jeannie Ewing - Nov 11, 2015
November is a fantastic month for devotees of several well-known saints in our Catholic tradition. Even for the recent convert or interested skeptic who wants to learn more about the lives of these incredible diverse people who eventually became canonized, this list (while not comprehensive) provides a fantastic foundation for further reflection. These men and women are certain to both inspire and encourage us on our faith journeys, and we can strive to imitate their virtues that led them...
Download The Ultimate List of U.S. Catholic Shrines Free!
Download our FREE e-Book and go on a virtual tour of the many beautiful shrines in the United States of America. Here’s what you get: • Detailed description of each shrine with map divided by state • Interesting facts, history, and trivia surrounding each shrine • Beautiful images of each sacred location
Browse Our Full Length Titles
Grow Closer to Christ
- 1I Was A Pilgrim In History
- 2An Introduction to the Life and Writings of Cora Evans
- 3The Refugee from Heaven
- 4A Time to Laugh and a Time to Weep
I Was A Pilgrim In History
The book tells of the journey of the Magi from Egypt where they first witnessed a vision of the birth of the child Messiah. The story follows the Magi to their meeting with Herod and finding the Holy Family. It then follows the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt and their return trip to Nazareth. The story explores some new details of Jesus’ childhood and how His identity was kept secret. The story continues to the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus, and it ends with the Blessed Mother completing the first Stations of the Cross.
An Introduction to the Life and Writings of Cora Evans
An Introduction to the Life and Writings of Cora Evans: Wife, Mother, and Mystic is a personal journal written by one of her best friend, Christian Brother, Edward Behan. Behan shares his knowledge of Cora's life and writings, of her thoughts and insights, which unfolded over six years of inspiring friendship. This book sheds much light on Cora and her relationship with our Lord.
The Refugee from Heaven
The Refugee from Heaven recounts the life of Jesus Christ as an eyewitness, beginning with the first meeting between Jesus and Peter, on the shores of Mount Carmel Bay. With vivid detail and dialogue, this unique account breathes new life into well-known figures of the Gospels.
A Time to Laugh and a Time to Weep
NOW AVAILABLE! A Time to Laugh and A Time to Weep is a prayerful journey for healing, forgiveness, charity, kindness, and courage that traverses the highs and lows of motherhood and faith in light of Cora Evans’ writings. Travel alongside Cora Evans and Jeannie Ewing — one a woman of the early twentieth century, another a modern Catholic living in the frenzied, post-modern Information Age — and realize that truth, beauty, and wisdom exist outside of time.
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