Ordained to Serve
“This is at the very heart of the diaconate to which you have been called: to be a servant of the mysteries of Christ and, at one and the same time, to be a servant of your brothers and sisters. That these two dimensions are inseparably joined together in one …
Live for Others to Have Happy Holidays
For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Mt. 16:25) “Your life is not about you,” our pastor said with a chuckle as he began his homily. “Sorry to disappoint.” I nodded in solemn understanding from the vestibule. …
The Path to “I Do”
Falling in love, getting engaged, and going through marriage preparation should be a beautiful, enriching experience. But ask Catholic couples married 25 years or longer about their marriage preparation, and many will respond that they met with their parish priest, completed a questionnaire, and attended a marriage preparation retreat; in …
Ordinations at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
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 …
A Call to Spiritual Arms Part 1
At the moment of , the most marvelous and terrifying event occurs, we are drafted into military service. Just as a civilian’s status changes to “Active Military” as soon as he or she begins Basic Training, so too do we become soldiers of Christ and full-fledged members of the Church …
Does the Church still believe in purgatory? If so, is it the only way to heaven?
We do not hear much about the “last things” anymore. Death, judgment, heaven, and hell are often passed over. We hear even less about that state that many will experience before heaven, which is called purgatory. This purification after death has been a consistent part of Catholic teaching for hundreds …
Telegram Home Nashville Edition
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 …
An Offering in Wood: Portrait of Devoted Craftsmanship
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 …
Pope Leo XIV Prayer Intentions for October
For collaboration between different religious traditions Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice, and human fraternity.
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael: The 3 great archangels of the Bible
By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Sep 29, 2025 / 04:00 am Many Catholics can, at the drop of a hat, recite the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel — the famous petition to that venerable saint to “defend us in battle” and “cast into hell Satan.” In the culture of the …
