The Catholic customs of praying for the souls of the dead, praying to the saints who have gone before us in earthly life, and of venerating relics are based primarily in the church’s long-standing tradition and theology rather than explicit scriptural “prooftexts.” However, the Bible does indeed allude to these practices.

Reflecting on the people’s faith helped him to see that, for the Christian, death “means no more and no less than the end of our testing period here on earth; it is a return, a going home, to the God and Father who first created us. It is not the end of life; the fact of the resurrection proves that beyond a doubt.”

Together let us rejoice in the God-given talents and the creative gifts of those who promote the dignity of the human person, and who build communion among peoples the world over through their dedication and love.

Service is about willingness, not worthiness; the church needs to be willing to actually sit down and create a plan for the creation of formal lay ministries, and then do it.

Padre Pio was such a holy man with a deep devotion to the Eucharist. He lived a life full of miracles. I really wanted to visit his relics while they were in Baltimore.

Indulgences are deeply rooted in several key Catholic theological concepts, such as the nature of purgatory, the church’s authority, the spiritual power of prayer and sacrifice and the communion of saints.

Husband and father are my most important jobs, and I embrace those roles with joy and gratitude to God, who saved me from myself and led me to Megan.

Euthanasia is a growing area of concern for those who advocate for the dignity of human life in all its stages.

Saints are satisfied only by God himself; nothing less than God or other than him will do. And for those who are holy, God alone is enough. Nothing else is wanted, needed, or required.

The historic mother church of America’s fourth largest diocese was the setting for the installation of its new archbishop, Richard G. Henning.