man sitting in meditation while holding a cross with both hands.

Advent with the Saints: John of the Cross

Greg Friedman, OFM December 10, 2025

It may seem strange to think of the cross during a season that prepares us for Christmas.

Virtue and Civility

Clifford Hennings, OFM December 10, 2025

We live in divided times. In this time of discordant rhetoric, it’s crucial that we stand as a model for virtue and civility.

Advent with the Saints: Monica

Greg Friedman, OFM December 9, 2025

Advent is a season of waiting. The Scriptures fill us with hope, based on the promises of God.

what saint juan Diego heard, Bill Jelen/Unsplash

Full disclosure: I am kind of obsessed with sound and music. So when I recently reread the story of St. Juan Diego and his encounter with Mary in Mexico in 1531, my ears perked up—literally—when I discovered that he heard music when she appeared.

Advent with the Saints: Lucy

Greg Friedman, OFM December 8, 2025

Restoration of sight is an important biblical metaphor. Isaiah uses it as a sign of God’s transformation of the world.

Virgin Mary, Full of Grace

Ela Milewska December 8, 2025

The Virgin Mary didn’t earn her holiness—it was a gift. And the same God who prepared her heart wants to shape ours to receive Christ fully.

Advent with the Saints: John the Baptist

Greg Friedman, OFM December 7, 2025

John the Baptist takes center stage in the Gospels in all three Lectionary cycles on the Second and Third Sundays of Advent.

Good News in Chaos

Ela Milewska December 7, 2025

In a world that feels increasingly loud and chaotic, the good news of the Advent message breaks through: God loves you. Jesus saves you. Christ is alive.

open hands holding a gift to give to someone else.

Advent with the Saints: Nicholas

Greg Friedman, OFM December 6, 2025

It’s well known that St. Nicholas, a sixth-century bishop, is behind our use of the secular “icon” of Christmas, Santa Claus.

Extend Compassion

Shannon K. Evans December 6, 2025

We are often our own worst critics, failing to extend compassion to ourselves when we would easily do so for a loved one. Use this prayer to find your center within God’s compassionate embrace.