There is a Christian image that, for many Westerners, seems strange. Christ appears glorious, clothed in light, at the center of a dark scene. He is not simply emerging from a tomb. He is descending into the depths of death. Beneath His feet are broken, shattered doors. Around Him are …

There is a question that seems simple, almost innocent, but which contains one of the great intellectual and spiritual challenges of our time: If you had been born in Saudi Arabia, you would probably be Muslim. If you had been born in India, perhaps Hindu. If you had been born …

We live in an age deeply marked by democracy. We are accustomed to voting for representatives, approving laws by majority vote, consulting opinions, and considering that, in principle, every question can be subjected to collective deliberation. This way of organizing civil life may have its legitimacy within the political order. …

There is a deeply rooted image in Catholic spirituality: Mary in Heaven, crowned as Queen, yet at the same time bending maternally over her children who still journey on earth. There is no contradiction here. Precisely because she has been glorified alongside Christ, Mary exercises her maternal mission toward the …

There is a question that, at first glance, may seem strange, but which contains enormous historical and theological force: Where are the relics of the body of the Virgin Mary? The Church preserves and venerates the relics of countless saints. Bones, skulls, incorrupt bodies, ashes, garments, and other objects associated …

There are moments of the year when the Church seems to speak to us in a language that everyone can understand, even before opening a book of theology. Autumn speaks to us of maturity and endings; winter, of waiting; spring, of life being renewed; and summer, with its golden fields, …

There are feasts that the Church celebrates because they commemorate a particular event in the life of a saint. And there are others that seem to open a window directly onto heaven. The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary undoubtedly belongs to this second category. Every August …

There are natural phenomena that, even when science can explain exactly how they work, continue to awaken a profound sense of wonder within us. An eclipse is one of them. For a few moments, something that seemed unchanging before our eyes suddenly changes: daylight takes on a strange darkness, the …

There are historical situations that force a Christian to ask uncomfortable questions. What happens when a community suddenly receives tens of thousands of people from another country? What should a Catholic do when the irregular arrival of foreigners overwhelms the capacity of a city, increases the feeling of insecurity, and …

There are experiences that divide life into a “before” and an “after.” An earthquake is one of them. In just a few seconds, what seemed solid can cease to be so. A house can become rubble. A familiar street can become an unrecognizable place. A family can be separated. A …

Introduction: What if we had kept the values and lost the Gospel? There is a form of Christianity that can seem extraordinarily attractive to modern man. It speaks of love.It speaks of solidarity.It speaks of fraternity.It speaks of justice.It speaks of welcome.It speaks of peace.It speaks of human dignity.It speaks …

There are words that, in the contemporary imagination, seem to carry a verdict even before they are explained. One of them is Inquisition. For millions of people, merely pronouncing this word immediately evokes images of bonfires, torture, fanaticism, obscurantism, and a Church obsessed with persecuting those who thought differently. The …

We live in an age fascinated by the possibility of transforming the human being. Medicine can replace organs, correct hereditary diseases, implant electronic devices in the body, considerably extend life, and modify certain biological functions. Artificial intelligence is beginning to become integrated into activities that until recently seemed exclusively human. …

We live in an age in which one of the seemingly most innocent phrases has become one of the most dangerous from an intellectual and spiritual point of view: “That is your truth.” The expression seems kind. It avoids arguments. It gives the impression of respecting the other person. It …

The Proper Use of Holy Water, Exorcised Salt, and the Crucifix in Domestic Life Without Falling into Superstitious Automatism We live in an age in which many people protect their homes with security cameras, alarm systems, smart locks, or sophisticated surveillance technology. All of these have their proper use, for …

Introduction: A Church Under Attack from Within When we think about the greatest dangers threatening the Catholic Church, our minds often turn to persecution, secularism, anti-Christian ideologies, moral relativism, or media hostility. Yet there is another enemy that is far more discreet, silent, and devastating. It rarely makes headlines, seldom …

Introduction: The Great Absence of Our Time We live in a paradoxical age. Never before has there been so much information about education, child psychology, and human development, and yet never has the crisis of fatherhood been so evident. Millions of children grow up without a father present; others have …

“And He was transfigured before them; His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light.” (Matthew 17:2) Introduction: An Event That Forever Changed the Apostles’ Vision There are moments in the history of salvation that stand as true pillars upon which the whole Christian faith rests. …

Introduction: Why Do Traditional Churches Have “Boundaries”? One of the aspects that most surprises those who enter an ancient church is discovering that the altar was not always completely open to the rest of the building. In many churches, the communion rail, the steps leading to the sanctuary, choir screens, …

We live in an age of enormous spiritual thirst. While technology advances at a breathtaking pace and access to information has never been greater, millions of people experience a profound inner emptiness. In this context, alleged apparitions, messages from Heaven, prophecies, visionaries, extraordinary promises, chains of prayer with supposed supernatural …

“How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:17) Introduction: When Churches No Longer Look Like Churches We live in an age in which virtually everything is designed according to a single criterion: utility. Homes must …

The Truth of the Catholic Faith and Dialogue with Religions in Today’s World In recent decades, a phrase has become widespread that, although it may appear well-intentioned, requires a profound clarification from the Catholic perspective: “We all worship the same God.” Many times, this expression is used as a sign …

When Man Stops Seeking God and Begins to Invent Him We live in an extraordinary age. Never before has humanity had access to so much information, so many spiritual resources, and so many opportunities to know the truth. Yet, paradoxically, we also live in a time when it has become …

We live in an age in which justice is often identified with legality. If something has been approved by a parliament, upheld by a court, or published in an official gazette, many people automatically conclude that it is just. History, however, proves exactly the opposite. There were laws that permitted …

How to Recover Right Judgment in Times of Polarization, Disinformation, and Digital Immediacy from a Catholic Perspective We live in an extraordinary age. Never before has humanity had access to so much information in so little time. Within seconds, we can learn about events taking place on the other side …

We live in an age that has elevated the individual to the status of the absolute measure of all things. Personal success, self-fulfillment, independence, and the satisfaction of one’s own desires are often presented as the ultimate purpose of human existence. From childhood we are taught that we must “follow …

St. Thomas Aquinas’ Response to the Reign of Emotions in Contemporary Culture We live in an age in which emotions seem to have been elevated to the supreme criterion of truth. Contemporary society constantly repeats messages such as: “Follow your heart,” “Do what you feel,” “If it makes you happy, …

We live in an age marked by regret. Many people carry the burden of wrong decisions, past sins, missed opportunities, or wounds that have never fully healed. It is common to hear expressions such as: “If only I could go back…”, “I wish I had acted differently…”, or “It is …

Yahweh, Jehovah, or Simply “the Lord”? The Fascinating Story of the Holiest Name in All Sacred Scripture There are words that possess extraordinary power. Some awaken memories, others evoke emotions, and still others are capable of changing the course of history. Yet there is one Name that infinitely surpasses all …

Introduction: A Question We Have All Asked Why does God allow evil people to exist? Why does evil often seem to prosper while so many righteous people suffer? Why do we find scandals, divisions, and even grave sins within the Church itself? Shouldn’t God immediately eliminate evil? These questions have …