Kenneth Michaels, Author at Catholicsay

Articles

November 1, 2019

What would the pope tell your child for First Communion?

Today he offered the Sacrament to 253 children in Bulgaria. This is what he said: Pope Francis gave 253 children their First Communion today, during his trip to Bulgaria. Dear…

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Articles Lists

November 1, 2019

5 Steps to fight the wickedness: Remind yourself (and Satan) that you are not helpless

Perform a simple act of defiance against discouragement, self-pity, and resentment. Who said this? “Any idiot can survive a crisis—it’s the little things that will make you crazy.” I remember…

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Prayers

November 1, 2019

How to ask Mary for grace in a moment of desperation

A prayer recommended by Pope Francis In moments of darkness or desperation, believers can count on the help of our Mother, the Virgin Mary. This is a prayer that Pope…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

Why do Catholics use crucifixes?

The crucifix in Christian usage has a long and ancient history, dating back to the 5th century. While Catholics hold much in common with various Christian denominations, one of the…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

Did you know it was once illegal to be a Catholic priest in NYC?

You might not know this dark — and strange — chapter of American history. From the immigrant waves of Irish, Poles, and Italians, to the later influx of Latin Americans,…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

When did Christians start praying the Hail Mary?

Though the text is straight from Scripture, the prayer itself doesn’t go back as long as you might think. In the Gospel of Luke, we find the two principal verses…

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Articles

October 28, 2019

Did you know Catherine of Siena was not a nun?

They might have looked like religious, but some of our best-loved Dominican saints were layfolk. She looked like a nun. Images of Catherine of Siena show her wearing the habit…

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Articles

October 28, 2019

Repentance: Why “I’m sorry” isn’t enough

This beautiful prayer from Pope Pius XI will show us what compunction and reparation are all about. What if you viewed repentance as most view taxes? People view taxes thus:…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

Why is there a skull beneath my crucifix?

An ancient tradition links Golgotha to the very beginnings of sin. It is known by many names – Golgotha, Calvary, the Place of the Skull. Regardless of what one calls…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

How often should I receive the Eucharist?

Just because I’ve showed up at Mass doesn’t mean I should be in the Communion line. When it comes time for the distribution of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, the…

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Prayers Prayers to Jesus

October 28, 2019

Preparing to hit the road (or the airways)? Here’s a Traveler’s Prayer

The Archangel Raphael guided and protected Tobiah. We pray he’ll do the same for us. The Old Testament Book of Tobit tells the fascinating story of the journey and marriage…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

How much might Judas’ 30 pieces of silver be worth today?

The reward for betraying Jesus was worth less than you might think. Why did Judas betray Jesus? Was it for the money? It is difficult to go back in time…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

What was Mass like for the early Christians?

2,000 years later, the essentials have not changed. Holy Thursday marks the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. It is when Jesus exhorted his disciples to “do…

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Articles

October 28, 2019

Pope Francis: Pay attention when you make the sign of the cross!

The gesture of blessing reminds us that good ideas and good will are not the source of salvation: “The only salvation is in the crucified Christ.” Wearing a crucifix around…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

Why do Catholics bless themselves with holy water when entering a church?

Part of the original purpose seems kinda gross to us today When visiting a Catholic church for Sunday Mass, it is hard not to notice all the parishioners pause for…

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Q&A

October 28, 2019

What is the Apostolic Pardon?

Reserved for those on their deathbed, the Apostolic Pardon is a true gift of grace for the dying. As a person draws closer to the doors of death, there is…

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