All posts in "HISTORY & ISSUES"

Catholic Weddings: The Dos and Don’ts

As one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church, marriage is more than a legal contract; according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The sacrament of matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church.” A marriage is sealed and strengthened by God’s love and is rooted in the divine plan of creation— the procreation and education of children in the faith.

The Powerful Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus?When explaining the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as the age-old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Jesus communicates with us in many ways — through prayer, through the Scriptures, and through images. Click to Tweet The Catholic religion abounds with symbols and imagery — from stained […]

Saint Brendan Boat Plaque

We love our boats and the feeling of being on the open water! Keep safe on sailing adventures with this beautiful St. Brendan Boat Plaque.

Why Do Catholics Baptize Babies?

Baptism is the pivotal first step we take in becoming initiated members of the Church. Along with communion and confirmation, baptism makes up the three sacraments of initiation. The Sacrament of Baptism is steeped in history, dating back to the time of Jesus, when He was baptized by John the Baptist.

The History and Significance of the Jerusalem Cross

What is the historical origin of the Jerusalem Cross? Where does the Jerusalem Cross fit into our Faith? Why do people wear the Jerusalem Cross today?

What is RCIA? Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Proverbs 8:17). There are 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide, filling more than 221,700 parishes. Each year, many adults are called to join the Catholic faith. How does someone join the Catholic Church? Through a process called the RCIA.

The Faithful Four – Jesus Mary Joseph Christopher

The practice of wearing religious medals dates back to the 16th century when Pope St. Pius V began blessing medals containing the images of Jesus and Blessed Mary. As Catholics, wearing a medal is an outward expression of our faith. It tells the world, I am a follower of Christ.

Why the Church Celebrates the Feast of Christ the King

Each year the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday before Advent, also known as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. As Catholics, we’ve been recognizing Christ as our King for over 2,000 years. Each time we attend mass, genuflect in front of the altar, or receive a sacrament, […]

Where Does The Nativity Come From Anyway?

Whether it’s a small nativity consisting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child, or an elaborate scene complete with a stable, animals, and the three kings, displaying the nativity scene, or crèche, has long been a Christmas tradition in the Catholic Church.

The Miraculous Medal — Designed by the Virgin Mary Herself!

The Catholic Church is filled with symbols and images meant to be visual reminders of our faith. These symbols tell a story and often reveal a powerful message. Besides the cross—the most recognizable image of the Catholic faith — the Miraculous Medal, or the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is another popular image that’s rich […]

Iraqi Christians are being slaughtered and branded with the Arabic letter N”

As you read this our fellow Christians in Iraq are being slaughtered for their religious beliefs. We as Catholic Christians stand united against genocide and religious discrimination. Iraqi Christians are being marked with the Arabic symbol for “N”, we too proudly display it in solidarity for those killed in Iraq. The “N” stands for Nazarene. […]

The Crucifix — Why Displaying It in Your Home Matters

The crucifix is one of the most recognizable images in the world and for many it evokes a range of emotions. The crucifix is a powerful image. Unlike a simple cross, the wall crucifix features the figure of Christ being crucified.

Pope Francis’ Signature Piece of Jewelry—the Pectoral Cross

In a world where appearances count, the way Pope Francis chooses to dress and adorn himself speaks volumes about his quiet, meek persona. Unlike many of his predecessors, Pope Francis chooses to wear a simple white cassock and pectoral cross when he’s seen in public.From the first moment Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony […]

Lord – Even During Chaos – You Are There

Lord, even in chaos and commotion, you are there. Gather us into your perfect stillness and give us peace. Amen

Why Is Jesus’ Heart So Sacred?

June 8th – Feast Day of Sacred Heart of JesusJune 8th is an important day. Can you guess what it is? Hint: it doesn’t have to do with the World Cup or the end of school year and the start of summer vacation. What is it? It’s the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. […]

Sacred Heart — Immaculate Heart

Sacred Heart — Immaculate Heart Blessed be the Most Loving Heart and Sweet Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother, in eternity and forever. Amen.

Do you forget to pray? A prayer altar is a visual reminder to pray

How many times have you watched an old movie or read a historical novel and told yourself, “I don’t know how they did it back then.” You can’t imagine living during a time where you had to wash and dry your clothes without the help of your energy-efficient washer and dryer, or prepare dinner minus […]

Why is May Mary’s Month?

In the Catholic Church the month of May is Mary’s month. It’s the month we honor Blessed Mary as the Mother of Jesus and our Heavenly Mother. If you attended Catholic school, you probably remember taking part in the “May crowning” in the beginning of May–where a wreath of flowers was placed on the head of the statue of Mary as prayers were said. As an older student you understood that this ritual was a way to show our love for Mary.

5 Steps To Sainthood–Will You Be A Future Saint?

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The Mystery of the Trinity

My husband is in the hospital with a serious medical condition. The doctors put him on some heavy duty drugs because of the pain. So he drifts in and out of being lucid. I thought it might help him to think of something besides his illness. So I asked him, “How do I explain the […]