Read & Reflect
Articles, reflections, news, and homilies — thoughtful Catholic content for the faithful, published regularly.
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Spirituality
There’s No Need to Fear Herbal Medicine
In our time, many Catholics are cautious about herbal medicine, fearing it may be something New Age or pagan. Or perhaps we think of it as “grandmother’s home remedies”—something people practiced when they couldn’t afford modern health care. And yet, by every measure, Americans are sicker with chron...
Spirituality
Holy Souls, Purgatory, and How to Avoid It
Q&A with Mystic Alicja Lenczewska, Part 2 On May 18, as the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception marks the birthday and liturgical memorial of its founder, St. Stanislaus Papczynski, it is fitting to reflect on this. One of the Congregation’s three principal aims is to help th...
Spirituality
Without Me You Can Do Nothing
The Gospel of St. John, in my humble opinion, offers one of the most important messages you will hear in the entire Bible. If the Catholic world fully embraced this message, the world would be set ablaze. Sadly, though, we do not fully embrace it, due to our pride. We think to ourselves, I know bett...
Spirituality
Jimmy Lai: A Catholic Democracy Advocate Whose Trust in God Inspires Me
On February 9th, 2026, seventy-eight-year-old Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in a Hong Kong prison. His crime: advocating for freedom of speech in China. As his daughter Claire Lai stated, “he will die a martyr behind bars.” Jimmy Lai: a name all lovers of democracy...
Spirituality
Called to the Lay Monkery
I recently picked up the book Joy Within His House: A Cloistered Nun’s Reflections on Following Christ by Sister Mary Magdalene of the Immaculate Conception Prewitt, OP. The book explores life within the cloister, which is a mysterious place for 99.999% of the world’s population. Her revelations are...
Spirituality
The Gift of Hope from a Good and Clear Conscience
St. Peter wrote to a Christian community that was being persecuted for their faith in Christ: Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience cl...
World News
Have the German bishops lost their synodal majority?
The chairman of the German bishops’ conference has suggested that the first scheduled meeting of a controversial synodal body will be delayed absent approval of its statutes by the Vatican.German bishops’ conference chairman Bishop Heiner Wilmer attends a press conference on Feb. 24, 2026, in Würzbu...
World News
Tarsus Diocese restored after more than a century
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has restored an episcopal presence to Tarsus after more than a century following the consecration of Bishop Paul Orduloglu in Mersin, Turkey. Orduloglu now serves the newly formed Diocese of Tarsus, Adana, and Hatay, and as patriarchal vicar in Antioch, a r...
Christian faith looms large at ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest in London
This weekend, tens of thousands of protesters gathered under an overcast sky in central London for a rally led by political activist and recent Christian convert Tommy Robinson.Under Union flags and banners of “Make England Great Again,” protesters chanted anti-government slogans such as “We want St...
World News
Top U.S. leadership rededicate country as 'One nation under God'
In a marathon ecumenical prayer and praise celebration ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, top U.S. political figures gathered with major faith leaders and several thousand Americans on May 17 to reflect on the role of Providence in American history and rededicate the country as “One Nation und...
‘That They May Be One’: New film explores call to Christian unity
Inspired by Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, a new movie called “That They May Be One” is exploring the theme of Christian unity — both across history and in the present day.The film blends documentary-style interviews with prominent figures in the faith community and reenactments that bring key moments...