February 23, 2021
What was Lent like in the early Church?
The history of Lent is complex, as it took many centuries to develop before it became what it is today. Was the season of Lent always 40 days long? Were…
February 21, 2021
Why does Lent last 40 days?
The number 40 has deep biblical roots. Each year the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church celebrates Lent with 40 days of prayer and fasting before the great celebration…
February 16, 2021
Are there really sins that cannot ever be pardoned?
Full Question: Are there sins that cannot be pardoned? ANSWER: "but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences."…
February 11, 2021
What are the 7 Joys of St. Joseph?
These are the events in Joseph's life that led him to rejoice. A devotion connected to the 7 Sorrows of St. Joseph, the 7 Joys of St. Joseph, reflects…
February 8, 2021
What are the 7 Sorrows of St. Joseph?
This devotion recognizes seven events in Joseph's life that were difficult for him to endure. Many Catholics are familiar with the 7 Sorrows of Mary, a devotion honoring particular…
January 23, 2021
When did Christians start praying the Hail Mary?
While the prayer is essentially straight from the Bible, Christians did not put the two verses together until the 11th century. In the Gospel of Luke, we find the…
January 17, 2021
What is the symbolism of ashes on Ash Wednesday?
Ashes have a long tradition in the Catholic Church, finding its roots in the Old Testament. Ash Wednesday in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church is focused, not…
January 14, 2021
Was St. Luke a medical doctor?
St. Luke the Evangelist is described as a "physician" and used medical terms in his Gospel. Credited as writing one of the four Gospels, St. Luke is often described…
January 13, 2021
What is the Holy Cloak of St. Joseph?
It is both a novena prayer and a physical relic kept in a church in Rome. One of the most popular devotions to St. Joseph is called the “Holy…
January 13, 2021
What did St. Joseph actually do as a carpenter?
Art tells one story, history says another. Often certain biblical phrases don’t get translated very well. Take for example the common translation of Matthew 13:55. The people of Nazareth…
January 13, 2021
How did St. Joseph die?
His departure is known as the perfect example of a "happy death." Little is known factually concerning the life of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. He is mentioned…
January 13, 2021
How old was St. Joseph when Jesus was born?
Was he an old widower or a strapping young man? We don’t hear much about St. Joseph in the Bible. He is simply described as the “husband of Mary,”…
December 16, 2020
What are some examples of venial sins?
Full Question What are some examples of venial sins? Answer The Catechism describes two main types of venial sin. First, one commits venial sin when "in a less…
December 16, 2020
Why is Saint Joseph depicted as an old man in art?
The main sources of our familiar artistic depictions of St. Joseph are, interestingly, not canonical. The Patron of the Universal Church is barely mentioned in the Gospels. In fact,…
December 13, 2020
Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary and The Saints? Instead of directly to God
When Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints in Heaven, it is not in worship but in fervent request for their prayers on our behalf. As scripture indicates, those in…
December 12, 2020
Why is ‘Go to Joseph’ a prayer?
The Joseph being referred to is not originally the Spouse of Mary, but is one of his forefathers. In his apostolic letter on St. Joseph, Pope Francis notes how…
