Pope Francis, in his most recent Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), discusses the Universal Call to Holiness in today’s world, and focuses especially on “middle class holiness”–that is, “holiness found in our next-door neighbours, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence” (7). Gaudete et Exsultate reminds us that holiness [...]
“County Jail,” read the sign, and for the first time in my life, rather than driving past it, I put on my blinker and pulled into the entrance. My heart was racing. It was a beautiful summer day, and as I stood outside the jail with two other women, I wondered if I was making [...]
Sometimes, I am like the Apostle, Thomas, full of doubt. I have been told that Jesus is risen, that He is the Son of God, but I want proof. I want to put my fingers in His hands and in His side. I want to see His resurrected body standing before me. If you’re anything [...]
As a “cradle Catholic,” I grew up loving, Mary, the Mother of God. When I was baptized, I received a Miraculous Medal, and I received my first pair of rosary beads at my First Communion; I’ve prayed the Hail Mary for as long as I can remember, and have never missed a Marian feast day.Mary has [...]
The summer before 7th grade, my grandfather died. It was the first time I had encountered the death of a loved one. I remember being struck at my grandmother’s composure throughout this time–the weeks leading up to his death, the funeral, and the days after. Of course she was sad and grieving, she had been [...]
We are inundated with media that tells us to live a life contrary to the values of our faith. We are told that happiness is achieved through popularity, money, success, fame, sex, material wealth. Sometimes it is easy to be consumed by our culture, to try and fill that void in our hearts with clothes, [...]
The first time I remember wanting to be a mother was when I was 8 years old. It was shortly after my mom had given birth to my little brother. After holding this tiny little baby, this miracle, I knew that I wanted to be a mom. For years I took my love for children [...]
m someone who has always loved having a plan–always knowing the next step. I suppose it is not the plan I enjoy, so much as the comfort of having control over my situations. Even as a little girl, I worried about the unknown: “But Mommy, what if it goes wrong? Then what?” My mom never [...]
Thus, being pro-life naturally means taking a stand against these practices. We are against these issues because we are for something bigger, we believe that every single life—not just some lives—are worth protecting, that every human, because they were made in the image and likeness of God, has dignity, and should be treated accordingly.
Caitlin Bean 