New Articles Every Monday
New Articles Every Monday
His Last Lesson
There are some lessons of faith that cannot be taught — only witnessed. For me, that witness was Father Robert Jack, a priest who showed that holiness is not found in escaping the cross, but in embracing it. Through his devotion to Our Lady, he revealed that suffering, when united with love, becomes a prayer. It was through his quiet endurance, his Marian heart, and his steady joy that many of us learned to stand at the foot of the Cross and still love.
The Power and the Glory
Do we hate our own rites? Perhaps not. But we are most certainly embarrassed by them. Embarrassed to breathe on a child and command the devil to depart. Embarrassed to put blessed salt upon the tongue as a defense against corruption. Embarrassed to admit aloud that Satan is real.
The older rite of Baptism proclaimed salvation as a rescue from the powers of darkness. The new rite whispers it as a polite welcome. Small wonder, then, that belief in the devil, the Real Presence, and the very need for sacramental life has collapsed in our time. When our rites no longer fight, neither do our people.
The world does not need “wishes.” It needs deliverance. It needs the Church to pray with power and glory again — as if she believes Christ has conquered death and hell.