As I write this blog, we are on the verge of Holy Week and in a unique way I have been pondering the crucifix. The crucifix is often seen as a symbol of pain and death but as disciples of Jesus Christ we know that the crucifix is the altar […]

Certainly, the greatest of childhood memories for me and my siblings around Easter Sunday mornings were Mass at Church – dressed to the nines, of course – and happy family gatherings. For sure, my siblings and I took advantage – as do all children – of the many sweets we […]

Today we find ourselves confronted with the reality of a mental health crisis.  It manifests itself in various illnesses like depression, which can be silent and can take over the individual who suffers from it. Depression attacks the depths of human beings, taking any sort of hope for life and […]

It has often been discussed, what was Jesus’ greatest suffering during his passion? Some think it was during his agony on the Mount of Olives, when he had in front of his eyes the weight of the sin of all humankind; however, I believe that the moment of greatest pain […]

Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! (Luke 13:2)

 My view of God growing up was very much the old man in the sky waiting and watching to catch me messing up so He could […]

We are all shocked by the images of the bombardments in Ukraine. We are all devastated to know that today, just on the other side of the ocean, there are parents who are losing their children and children who are seeing their parents being killed. I am Italian and therefore […]

Since we were kids, we used to hear a wise proverb from mom and dad, which is perhaps, at first glance, a raw truth of life. They used to tell us frequently:  “in life nothing is guaranteed to happen, except death.”  It’s true, indeed very true. The only sure thing […]

In the Gospel of Luke, we hear those famous mantras of Jesus: “love your enemies,” “do good to those who hate you,” “bless those who curse you,” “pray for those who mistreat you,” “turn the other cheek.” Whoa, we might be saying! Not so fast! Not so easy! All of […]

For Saint Ignatius of Loyola the discernment of spirits is a way by which we come to understand God’s will for us.  The practice of the Examen, a technique developed by St. Ignatius, is meant to be a short, “quarter of an hour” prayerful reflection on the events of the day […]