Queen of Heaven, Rejoice!

Easter is a time of rejoicing. Not just on the day itself, or in the octave, but for all 50 days until Pentecost. This is longer than the 40 days of Lent, which is meant to prepare for Easter without … Continue reading

Luminous Easter

Thursday in the Easter Octave lets us look at everything in light of the Resurrection. Illuminated by the mystery of the Risen Lord, the following post offers a series of reflections for the Luminous Mysteries. My hope is that it … Continue reading

Did the Virgin Mary Tickle the Baby Jesus?

Editor’s note: This post was originally published on December 10, 2014. Fr. Gabriel Torretta was ordained to the priesthood in May 2015 and now serves as a parochial vicar. When you picture Mary holding the Christ-child, what do you imagine … Continue reading

The “Secret” Catholic Weapon

As Mother Teresa passed through the airport security checkpoint, she had to endure that embarrassing procedure that is part and parcel of our troubled times: “Any weapons on your person?” Unexpectedly, the childlike yet remarkably bold sari-clad woman replied in … Continue reading

Hardly Idyllic

The Holy Family had a rough start, don’t you think? To begin with, it almost ended before it started. Mary was found to be with child, in a pregnancy planned by God but unplanned by men. So “Joseph, being a … Continue reading

Slouching Toward Bethlehem

Imagine a world where everyone is hunched over. An exaggerated convex curvature of the spine encumbers all. We’re just born this way. We can function, but it’s labored. Everything requires more effort. It feels like everything that’s good is on … Continue reading

A Catechism Around Your Neck

“The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you,” the child whispered. St. Catherine Labouré, a novice in the Daughters of Charity, was gently woken from her sleep by a small, luminous child beckoning her to follow him to the chapel. It … Continue reading

As You Wish

You are my friends if you keep my commands. (Jn 15:14) Although we can be obedient out of fear, perfect obedience is the result of love. We obey those whom we love. The Princess Bride begins by introducing Westley and … Continue reading

The Very Stones Will Cry Out

A short story Lucius walked the dusty streets, twisting his fingers in careful patterns, practicing yesterday’s lesson. He was a clever and talented student, so the pebble he was looking at obediently skipped alongside him. By now the route was … Continue reading

Bittersweet Mysteries

All Souls’ Day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is the day the Church recalls in a special way “those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.” Today is naturally a very … Continue reading

The Unkempt Man

Brother’s having a really rough day. He wakes up at 7:08 am, throws on his habit, bounds bleary-eyed down two flights of stairs, and makes it to the chapel as the lector finishes the first reading. After Mass, Brother finishes … Continue reading

Mary’s Roses: For the Family, for Peace

I learned to pray the Rosary as many Catholic children through the centuries have done, sitting with and listening to the (striving-to-be) holy matriarchs of my family. My mamá and my abuelas taught me about the love of the Holy … Continue reading