A Treasure To Be Shared

The latest response to the document of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF),  Mater Populi Fidelis (MPF), or perhaps the most significant response in terms of quantity of contributors and length of the text, is that of the International Marian Association Theological Commission (IMATC). Athanasius contra mundum? The IMATC response to MPF draws on a range of voices from the past and present. While quoting popes, saints, and theologians can be fitting, simply citing many sources doesn’t guarantee a strong defense—especially if those chosen mostly challenge the official stance, while supportive ones are downplayed or interpreted in ways that diminish their significance. Faith and Morals The significance of a pope’s statements depends on their nature, and while Catholics should take all papal remarks seriously—given the Pope’s role as the successor of Peter—not every decree, letter, or informal comment (e.g. one made during an airplane interview) carries the same weight. T...

The care cloth is regularly seen at Saint John Henry Newman Church, in Victoria, BC, a community of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter. Young couples entering into Holy Matrimony at the Church appreciate the significance of such beautiful rituals that help them acknowledge the profound mystery into which they are entering. In time, perhaps, as more guests witness its use, the care cloth might seen in matrimonial celebrations of the Novus Ordo Mass. Hint, hint.  The nuptial veil, also known as the care cloth or wedding canopy, is an ancient Christian wedding tradition where a cloth is held over the bride and groom during the Nuptial Blessing. Representing the “marriage yoke” that unites them, it’s a rectangular linen or silk sheet, smaller than the Jewish Chuppah, usually white with a red pattern or cord. According to St. Isidore of Seville, the white stands for the purity of Christian and marital love, while the red symbolizes the continuation of the family bloodline. Bene...

In 2025 alone, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria, underscoring the intense persecution experienced by Christian communities in the country. Overview of Persecution Nigeria has become one of the most perilous places for Christians, with violence largely fueled by Islamist militant groups like Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. Over the past 14 years, more than 52,250 Christians have been killed due to religious violence, and the situation has only deteriorated in recent years. In 2025, it was reported that 7,087 Christians lost their lives between January and August, averaging approximately 35 killings per day. https://www.mnnonline.org/news/report-shows-thousands-of-christians-killed-in-nigeria-this-year/ Notable Incidents and Statistics https://globalchristianrelief.org/stories/10-nigerian-martyrs-that-show-us-the-power-of-faith/ Deborah Samuel . One of the most prominent cases of martyrdom is that of Deborah Samuel, a 19-year-old student who was killed by a mob for her C...

preach  (v.) - from www.etymonline.com Middle English prechen , "deliver a sermon, proclaim the Gospel," from late Old English predician , a loan word from Church Latin; reborrowed 12c. as preachen , from Old French preechier "to preach, give a sermon" (11c., Modern French précher ), from Late Latin praedicare "to proclaim publicly, announce" (in Medieval Latin "to preach," source also of Spanish predicar ), from Latin prae "before" (from PIE root * per - "forward," hence "in front of, before") + dicare "to proclaim, to say" (from PIE root * deik - "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). Meaning "give earnest advice, especially on moral subjects" is by 1520s. To preach to the converted is recorded from 1867 (the form preach to the choir attested from 1979). The Role of Preaching in the Church The Catechism explains that preaching is central to the Church’s mission of sharing t...

Glory At The Tomb | WGNC 2025 The Sacred Liturgy constitutes the heart of Catholic worship, encompassing the Church's official, public acts of praise, thanksgiving, and sanctification through which Christ unites Himself with His people. It is not merely a collection of rituals but an encounter with the divine, where the faithful participate in Christ's priestly office, offering themselves in union with His sacrifice. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, the liturgy—particularly the Eucharist—serves as the "source and summit" of the Church's life, drawing believers into the mystery of salvation and fostering communion with God and one another. God being infinite beauty, the soul united to Christ draws upon himself the admiring and tender gaze of the Angels, who, were they capable of any passion, would be filled with envy at his lot. Pope St. Pius X Immersion in the Eucharistic Liturgy offers the believer an opportunity to grow in holiness, to grow in likeness to the...

[ 5 minute read time ] 1. Consistency Does someone sitting in the pew require consistent doctrine? He does if he’s to truly understand his need for salvation. In other words - duh, yeah, he does! Philippians 2:12 | Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. To learn any subject, be it math or a language or music or what-have-you, a student (a disciple!), if he is to rise and enact his potential, is well assisted when provided a precise vocabulary, consistent delivery of true content, and the encouragement and opportunities to apply the content of a lesson. Romans 12:12: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Without commitment, you never begin. Without consistency, you never finish. James 5:12: But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that ...

And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.  | 1 John 5:3-5 Advent is a time to pause and refocus our hearts on God. It’s a season to seek His grace and stay aware of the promise of Jesus Christ’s return. Advent is an opportunity to reflect on our spiritual lives, looking to the example of the saints and Christ Himself, so we can welcome Him with a pure heart, mind, body, and soul. But first - Christ the King! Who is Jesus? What is Jesus' identity? He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is 'I am', God. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the Bread of Life. He is... the King of the Universe! He wants us to share in his identity. Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” St Matthew 16:16 For th...