Blogposts

Chastity is an inner state of beauty and harmony developed by self-retraint, intentional prayer, and grace. - www.woveninhislove.org

Chastity has almost become a taboo for those in the Church who are calling for a change in the Catholic doctrine on sexuality. Change to be blunt is a euphemism for those who reject the Church’s teachings on sexuality and think they have the power to overrule the Scriptures and what has been handed down by the Apostles on questions of sexual morality. Every bishop takes an oath to uphold Catholic teaching.

Hearing (Mark 8:34ff), the following hard words of Jesus hit home: For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

For many contemporary Catholics, denying Jesus takes the form not of apostasy under duress but of "being ashamed" of him and his words -- not frequently, perhaps, but on those occasions when they are anxious not to appear uncouth or ignorant or in the grip of unfashionable moral hang-ups. Business luncheons, faculty receptions, parties can, by more subtle means, accomplish what Tyburn* and the Coliseum could not.

Satan makes his presence universal, either directly or through demons or through perverse men-sending some to this city or to that, throughout the whole world, so that no province, no place, no state of life, no single person is overlooked. Consider the text: “Enraged at her [the Virgin Mary’s] escape the dragon went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep God’s commandments and give witness to Jesus.” (emphasis added) Fr Andre Ravier S.J. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

Mark 10:28 Peter began to say to him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last first." The numbers in the illustration below stand for countries

Infertility is a real, heartbreaking and increasingly common struggle for couples. Almost 20% of U.S. married couples have experienced infertility. Ethical restorative reproductive medicine that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach is often able to authentically heal the underlying conditions causing infertility. Restorative reproductive medicine is typically overlooked (and, unfortunately, it can take significant work to find a provider). A number of national Natural Family Planning (NFP) education organizations can assist married couples with a list of medical professionals who provide restorative reproductive medicine. NFP organizations can be found on the USCCB’s website or through an online-search. usccb.org All human life takes place at conception, a distinct human being made in the image and likeness of God