On Tuesday, we will join with the universal Church in celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, into heaven.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation and the principal feast day of the Blessed Mother, so I would like to offer you some reflections on it.

The commemoration of the death of Mary is known as the Assumption because of the tradition that, shortly after her death, Mary was raised up, body and soul, into heaven.  In the Eastern Church, it is called the Dormition, or the […]

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA COLLECTION

We all know how important it is to grow in our knowledge of God; after all, we are all preparing to spend eternity with him!  God has blessed us by revealing himself to us down through the ages, especially through the prophets and in person through his son, Jesus Christ.  We are blessed here in America with many fine Catholic colleges and universities that help our children continue to learn about God as they prepare for their careers and adult lives.  Catholic University of […]

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  With these words, the priest who presides at the Celebration of the Eucharist draws the congregation into the sacred moment of worship.  We believe in God who is both one and yet a communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Made in the image and likeness of God, who is one God in three Persons, we are called to worship not only alone but also as a community.  When I explain the Mass to children, […]

Every time we gather around our Lord’s Table in the celebration of the Eucharist, we recall our Lord’s saving words and actions and receive his life-giving Body and Blood.  The Code of Canon Law directs the pastor “to see to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful; he is to work to see to it that the Christian faithful are nourished through a devout celebration of the sacraments and especially that they frequently approach the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist” […]