Author Archives: stceceliastgabriel

A Marian Summer 

The great Marian feast of summer is the Assumption, August 15. Normally, the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. But because it falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation is lifted. Perhaps we can treat this as reason to use the next several weeks to give extra consideration to the Blessed Mother’s roleContinue reading “A Marian Summer “

Pilgrimage 

Most Americans, when we think of Canada, imagine a great wintry wasteland, populated by polite people with hard-to-place accents, who spend their days eating jelly doughnuts, curling, and trading quotes from the film Strange Brew. But, in truth, not all of Canada is like that.  This week, I will travel to the city of Montreal,Continue reading “Pilgrimage “

Our Beloved Home 

As we celebrate the great occasion of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding this weekend, it is good to think about why we should love and care for the country we call home. In 1938, a time in which various totalitarian ideologies were vying for political supremacy throughout the world, Msgr. Fulton Sheen gaveContinue reading “Our Beloved Home “

God’s Architect 

During his recent trip to Spain, Pope Leo visited Barcelona to bless the newly completed “Tower of Jesus,” of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who began working on it in 1883, and today it is the city’s most iconic building. Its exterior currently features facades that depict the birth of Christ and His crucifixion, with the final judgment facade still unfinished. Inside,Continue reading “God’s Architect “

Wanna Bet? 

Last year, there was an article in The Atlantic by journalist McKay Coppins, who received $10k from the magazine to try his hand at online sports betting for a year and report on the experience. Having no prior experience of sports betting, he was surprised how quickly it took over his life. He began obsessing over point spreads and prop bets and would look for opportunities to hide from his family toContinue reading “Wanna Bet? “

Heart of Jesus 

There is a small town in Italy called Lanciano where, in the year 750, a priest was experiencing intense doubts about the Eucharist as he was saying Mass. Even as he prepared to say Christ’s words of institution, he found it impossible to believe that the elements of bread and wine could turn into the living Body, Blood, Soul, andContinue reading “Heart of Jesus “

We Worship a Working Man 

In recent months there have been many reports about what seems to be a growing interest in Catholicism among young people. Catholic campus ministries across the country received a record number of students into the Catholic Church this Easter. Several parishes in New York City have “standing room only” at Masses attended by young professionals searching for God (and perhaps a spouse). This is certainly a welcome development. But in a recent article featured in The NationalContinue reading “We Worship a Working Man “

Sharing Hidden Grief 

Years ago, I asked my confessor if I should include in my confession my habit of watching boxing and mixed martial arts matches. “It’s definitely immoral,” he said, while adding, with a smile, “unless it’s a really good fight.” Not exactly the most helpful counsel I’ve ever received. But if you have a Netflix subscription, you will have noticed over the past several months aContinue reading “Sharing Hidden Grief “

Help a Mother Out 

“It’s Mother’s Day in the U.K. today. So, I would like to dedicate this [award] to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for honoring me with this award.” So said the Irish actress Jessie Buckley upon receiving the Academy Award for best actress this March. The joy and admiration with which sheContinue reading “Help a Mother Out “