D.D. Emmons

D.D. Emmons writes from Pennsylvania.

Fathers of the Church: The Greek (or Eastern) Fathers

June 10, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News

The Catholic Church has long honored early Christian leaders, theologians and teachers from the East (Greek) and West (Latin) as Fathers of the Church. Unlike doctors of the church, there is no official list of Church Fathers.

The origins of our sacred creeds

June 9, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: News, World News, Worship & Sacraments

Every Sunday through the Nicene Creed, we Catholics profess our faith in Jesus Christ and express our complete conviction to the divine persons of the Most Holy Trinity.

Guide to the ecumenical councils of the church

June 8, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News

Many sacred beliefs of our Catholic faith can be traced to the 21 ecumenical councils held since the fourth century.

Fathers of the Church: The Latin (or Western) Fathers

June 7, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
Filed Under: News, Saints, World News

The Fathers helped define, establish and promote the dogmas of the Catholic faith. They not only explained and advanced Christianity, but they stood against those who would defame, deny or exploit our Lord, Jesus Christ.

How Jesus’ visits to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque spread love of his Sacred Heart

June 1, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News

It was a young nun named Margaret Mary Alacoque of the Visitation order at Paray-le-Monial, France, who would become Jesus’ conduit to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart throughout the Roman Church.

Conclave: Going inside and exploring the history of a papal election

May 2, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, News, Remembering Pope Francis, Vatican, World News

The extensive role of the cardinals in today’s papal elections and in the church can be traced to the 11th century and Pope Nicholas II.

St. Faustina and visions behind Divine Mercy Sunday

April 24, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Divine Worship, Feature, News, Saints, World News

Between 1931 and 1938, a young nun named Sister Maria Faustina claimed to have experienced a series of visions, messages and conversations in which our Lord Jesus asked her to establish a devotion to his Divine Mercy.

The history of St. Mary Major, the basilica where Pope Francis will be entombed

April 23, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News

This basilica, rebuilt and magnificently adorned over the centuries, has been a rallying point for popes and laypeople, for Romans and pilgrims alike, to venerate the maternity and life of the Blessed Mother.

What are the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross?

April 15, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent

Unlike the followers of Christ on that Good Friday, we know that the 14th station is not the end, that death does not win; rather, in his sacrifice, we find the sure knowledge of eternal life.

Signs and themes of Eastertide

April 12, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Easter

Just the name “Easter” brings thoughts of new life, springtime, of freshness, of the Resurrection. This is not only a day — not only a few weeks on the church calendar — but, for Christians, a way of life.

St. Patrick: Do you know the myth or the man?

March 13, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints

Surprisingly, given the popularity and influence of the day, many revelers know little about St. Patrick the man.

The Way of the Cross: Not only for Lent

March 6, 2025
By D.D. Emmons
OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent

Frequently and piously walking with him, contemplating his suffering and sharing our crosses, especially when we feel abandoned or in despair, gives us courage and hope.