With every election, divisions within the country often come to the forefront. This election cycle has highlighted concerns about unity, both within the U.S. and within communities. For Catholics, such division offers a call to renew our commitment to unity and peace. In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis writes, "Peace is not merely the absence of war but a tireless commitment--especially on the part of those of us charged with greater responsibility--to recognize, protect, and ...

Historian Jorge Traslosheros, an expert in Latin American studies, contends that the "black legend" surrounding the Spanish conquest was strategically crafted as a profoundly anti-Catholic narrative. Emerging in the 18th century, the "black legend" was largely advanced by England in its colonial competition with Spain, portraying Spanish Catholicism as synonymous with cruelty and exploitation while celebrating Protestant settlers as righteous protectors of Indigenous rights. This narrative, ...

The international community must urgently condemn the unjust and inhumane treatment of 76-year-old Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong businessman, media mogul, and Catholic convert who has been imprisoned since 2020 by Hong Kong authorities. His crime? Advocating for democracy and human rights in a city increasingly under the iron grip of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Jimmy Lai, who has been a steadfast voice against tyranny and a symbol of hope for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, now finds ...

In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists have uncovered an extensive underground network of tunnels beneath Mitla, a historic site in southern Mexico revered by the ancient Zapotec civilization as the "entrance to the underworld." Using advanced geophysical technology, a team from the ARX Project mapped hidden chambers and tunnels as deep as 30 meters below the Church of San Pablo Apostol, which was built atop Zapotec ruins after the Spanish razed the city in the 16th century.

All Saints' Day is a holy day of obligation celebrated every Nov. 1. It is dedicated to the recognized saints of the Church and all those who have made it into heaven. Anyone who makes it into heaven is a saint, even if the Church does not yet recognize their sanctification.

Everyone knows how to celebrate Halloween -with costumes, candy and horror movies, right? Well, that isn't wrong but it isn't the entire story either. What about All Saints' Day or All Souls' Day?

For years, one of my favorite online magazines Has been Crisis. In 2013, they offered an insightful article on Halloween by Sean Fitzpatrick entitled All Hallows Eve or Halloween? Like many, I have been all over the place on this matter. I respect the various ways in which Catholics and other Christians choose to approach it. However, I think it is helpful to consider the context.

If there's one holiday Christians might like to skip, Halloween is probably the most common choice. It's dark, macabre, celebrates evil, and encourages vice. If not for the kids who look forward to buckets of free candy, most of us would be happy to let it pass unobserved. But does Halloween have a bad rap? Or is the condemnation deserved?

In a touching moment of faith, a young boy with a gentle, sweet voice leads a heartfelt prayer before lunch, reminding us of the beauty in simplicity. Watching him, we see how a child's pure, sincere words can draw us closer to God and renew our appreciation for His blessings.

The recent breakthrough on the Imago Mundi, a 3,000-year-old Babylonian clay tablet, may offer a historic link to the origins of the Noah's Ark myth. Researchers at the British Museum have deciphered ancient symbols etched into the tablet, revealing a map of Mesopotamia bordered by what early Babylonians believed to be a "bitter river" encircling the world. The diagram, known for its circular layout and cuneiform inscriptions, describes a journey that aligns with the biblical story of Noah's ...

Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a unique and cherished place in Catholic belief. She is more than just the mother of Christ; she is a symbol of faith, love, and total trust in God's will. Her "yes" to God, the fiat (Luke 1:38), changed the course of history. Through her humble consent, God entered the world, and redemption began.

In Mark 10, we read of Jesus healing the blind Bartimaeus. When Jesus called him over to himself despite the crowd trying to silence Bartimaeus, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"