For many years I heard phrases such as: “religious life is a higher calling than marriage” and “those who choose religious life want to live their lives entirely for the Lord.” But I rarely heard language which edified and elevated the vocation of married life. That was until I took a course with Dr. Timothy O’Malley on [...]
Today’s Psalm, Psalm 23, is a familiar one for many Christians. The refrain, The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want, is one of the Scripture verses I have committed to memory. Perhaps, in its familiarity, I often skim it, or tune it out. But as I reflected on it more carefully, [...]
If someone were to ask me what marriage prep is/how it is typically done, I would explain that a newly engaged couple meets with a priest a few times, at least six months before the date of the wedding, and that some of these sessions will include a Pre-Cana Retreat and a FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory.However, [...]
The Jeweler's Shop, a play written by Karol Wojtyla, now Pope St. John Paul II, is explores love and the sacrament of marriage by telling the stories of three different couples. The play is divided into three acts: The Signals, The Bridegroom, and The Children. Through the stories of these couple (Teresa and Andrew, Anna [...]
It was a Tuesday afternoon. I was sitting in a nearly empty Church, staring at the crucifix, praying. Out of of the corner of my eye I saw two people slowly shuffling their way down the side isle. My eyes trailed away from the cross as I watched this old couple taking baby steps. It almost looked [...]
HUGH OF ST. VICTORMarriage, during the time of Hugh of St. Victor, was primarily took place outside of the Church, with a blessing of the marriage occurring months after the actual marriage had take place. St. Victor firmly believed that creation had fallen and needed to be restored entirely in Christ. This heavily influenced his [...]
In a world of digital technology and modern medicine, the Middle Ages may seem irrelevant. However, in reading St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Hildegard of Bingen, we see that their mystical theology, which is closely linked to love, can lead one to a greater understanding the sacrament of marriage. Contrary to the hookup culture [...]
dis-cern-ment: (noun) a decision-making process that determines and honors God's will for one's lifean 11 letter word that, when spoken in the Catholic realm, often invokes a series of questions and a plethora of promised prayers For many years, I've desired marriage, motherhood. But as I've grown in my knowledge of the faith I've had [...]
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 [...]
Caitlin Sica 