Until a few weeks ago, I did not know the March for Life has a theme each year. I have attended the March several times, both before and after becoming a Dominican friar, but somehow this simple fact eluded me. … Continue reading
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A 70th Anniversary
Seventy years ago today, on December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. This declaration quickly became the most translated document in the world, available in over 500 languages. The language of rights … Continue reading
Desiring Martyrdom
The letters of St. Ignatius were some of the first writings of Church Fathers I ever read. One of my friends bought me a copy of The Apostolic Fathers, and the summer before I entered seminary, I read through them. … Continue reading
So Near to Us
In the record of Moses’ last words, in the book of Deuteronomy, we can hear the urgency with which this great prophet addressed his people. Moses, knowing that he was not going to enter the promised land, agonized over his … Continue reading
Divine Election
When the Gospels record the calling of the Twelve, none of them offers us the qualifications of the Apostles. Nowhere do we find a collection of resumes or CVs that explain to us why Jesus chose those Twelve men. Apart … Continue reading
Salt of the Earth
Have you ever wondered how Jesus chose the images he used in his parables? What thoughts and feelings would the expression “salt of the earth” have for the people of the ancient world? Salt was one of the most useful … Continue reading
I Have Called You Friends
The only apostle who died before the Resurrection of Jesus was the one who betrayed him, Judas Iscariot. The mission of Judas’ apostolic office went unfulfilled, and the number of apostles fell to eleven. After Christ’s Ascension into heaven, however, … Continue reading
Accounting for Your Hope
Editor’s note: This is the second post in our newest series, reflecting on the Hillbilly Thomists’ recent, self-titled album. The series will run each Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Easter season. Read the whole series here. This post concerns the … Continue reading
Lenten Conference Audio: Temple of the Spirit: The Importance of Place in the Spiritual Life
Lenten Conference Audio: Temple of the Spirit: The Importance of Place in the Spiritual Life Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “Temple of the Spirit: The Importance of Place in the Spiritual Life.” It was given by Br. … Continue reading
Laetare, Jersualem
An old tradition still permits priests to wear rose-colored (not pink) vestments on two Sundays each year: Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and Laetare Sunday (yesterday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent). Both are named for the first word of … Continue reading
Salvation is from the Jews
About four thousand years ago, God made a promise to Abraham, saying, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Gen 12:2). … Continue reading
Loving Enemies
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ commands us, “Love your enemies” (Mt 5:44). I’m sure I’m not alone among Christians who struggle with this commandment, not only to do it but to understand it. It seems strange, even … Continue reading