When I first heard a call to religious life, I hoped my story would end up like Abraham and Isaac. I thought maybe the Lord would ask me to consider something extreme: that He would only take me so far and let me prove my love to Him, then send …

As the mother church for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains serves as a focal point for worship, community life, and joyful celebrations—among them are ordinations to the permanent diaconate and priesthood. In the presence of clergy, family members, colleagues, and friends, the men …

Woodworking has run through the Otmar family line for more than five generations. For Josef Otmar V, however, the craft became more than a trade—it is a vocation, one that serves the Church by creating sacred spaces for Eucharistic worship. Otmar’s journey into woodworking began early, when he entered an …

Origins and Mission Serra Club International is a lay apostolate of the Catholic Church that aims to promote vocations and foster a culture of vocation awareness. Named after Saint Junípero Serra, the Spanish missionary who founded several missions in California during the 18th century, Serra clubs worldwide embody his spirit …

Like many parents of young children, I prepare for Christmas in the weeks—or even months—before its arrival by keeping a list of my family’s wants and needs that can be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. The significant time and energy invested to meet the day’s material expectations often …

Hope is a funny thing. Most people think of it like a wish… “I hope the traffic isn’t bad.” “I hope the Bengals win.” “I hope it doesn’t rain.” But real Christian hope isn’t a feeling or a wish. It’s a conviction. St. Augustine once said that hope has two …

Angel trembled with fear as she stood outside St. Vincent de Paul’s homeless shelter in Dayton. She wanted to turn around. She wished she had family members she could turn to who would help her. “I was scared to come to a place like this,” she said. “But now, I …

As we enter Advent, a season of preparation and hope, then joyfully celebrate the birth of Christ, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains offers us a prayerful and beautiful setting to mark these liturgical seasons. “Everything about the liturgy at the Cathedral Basilica during our Advent and Christmas …

At the time of this writing, my family of seven plus two mutts are in an Airbnb in our own town. Two weeks ago, a small leak in our bathroom turned into the space being gutted from water damage. We were assigned project managers, contractors, and an adjuster to boot. …

Three years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While in Bethlehem, I was deeply moved by a reflection on Luke’s Gospel. Standing in the fields where the shepherds once stood, I imagined myself alongside those shepherds, encountering the angels. As I …