In a recent documentary, Francesco, the Pope’s comments regarding homosexual civil unions has brought much confusion and even seeming scandal to the Catholic Church, making many question whether the Church might be changing its doctrine on homosexuality. But this is far from the truth; we need only to examine the context and nature of this statement in order to understand its original meaning and the level of authority it has over Catholics.
The Real Presence of the Eucharist in the Early Church
The writings of the first three centuries of the Church confirm that we have believed in the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ since apostolic times.
Degrees of Church Authority: Should We Believe Everything the Catholic Church Says?
It can often be confusing as to which teachings of the Church are infallible, and if we may question certain statements, especially with regard to the statements of the Pope. I have often struggled with this question myself, and while I still don’t have a perfect comprehension of how to discern the degree of authority…
A Witness to the Eucharist in the Early Church: St. Ignatius of Antioch
Today is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Antioch, perhaps one of the most prominent Christian figures during the early Church. He was a disciple of the Apostle John, and was appointed Bishop of Antioch by the Apostle Peter himself.[1] This close association with the apostles, along with the fact that he was willing…
Thomas Aquinas on the Eucharist: Foreshadowed in the Old Testament, Established in the New
St. Thomas Aquinas is known for his “superhuman insight into the profoundest truths of our holy faith,” though “he himself tells us that he owed more to prayer, devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and to loving contemplation of the Crucified Savior than to all his studies.”[1] He is renowned as perhaps the greatest theologian of…
Discerning My Vocation: Where are all the Married Saints?
Growing up in a Catholic home-school family, I often read stories about the saints—stories of great men and women dedicating their lives to God in extraordinary ways. They would leave behind all their possessions to the poor, fast for long periods of time, practice acts of self-denial, and spend hours each day in meditation and…
Did the Early Christians Have a Church Hierarchy?
As I’ve started graduate Theology classes, it’s been amazing to see how Church History is relevant to today, how the Catholic Church has stayed fundamentally the same since the time of the Early Church. I understand that many issues I mention will be controversial for non-Catholics, and while I respect and often admire other Christians,…
The Home of My Soul
My shoes clap on the sidewalk and my backpack thumps in rhythm as I walk, humming the song singing in my head and pounding through my feet: “God, you are good to me, good to me…” I reach the road and a map of Franciscan University—and remember the first time I had looked at it,…
My Testimony Part 3: Our Living Spirit
If you missed part 2, you can read it here. College: Discovering the Power of the Spirit There are so many amazing stories I could tell from my precious years at Franciscan University. Now that I’m graduating with my B.A. in writing (and in the midst of this pandemic nonetheless), I will always treasure those…
My Testimony Part 2: Christ Our Savior and Lover
If you missed part 1, you can read it here. Early High School: Trusting Christ Our Savior Throughout middle school and into high school, I continued to pray to God as my Father and started to come to understand Christ and the beauty of the cross. It was sometime during this time period that I…
Beloved Dreamer 