Both the Book of Deuteronomy and Jesus himself in Mark’s Gospel instruct us that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s heart, and Jesus adds, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” – that is to say, from the very depth of your heart.
But we should also take great comfort the existence of purgatory – that state of being further purified even after death, that is to say, made ready for heaven, where we are to receive and reflect the infinitely pure and beautiful love of the Triune God with which all the saints are resplendent.
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to experience firsthand the spirit and work of the Order in Canada, the Philippines, and Ukraine. I’ve also been able to look at the spirit and mission of the Order through the lens of the month-long Synod on Synodality in Rome. This morning, I won’t offer you a travel-log but I will share with you some reflections on what I have seen and heard.
Just as Fr. McGivney encourages priests to holiness and charity, so too the amazing array of saints, canonized and uncanonized, encourage all of us to embrace our baptismal call to holiness, to missionary discipleship and to a life of charity – all summed up by Blessed Michael McGivney in a few words: charity, unity and fraternity, coupled with longing for our true homeland in heaven.
Today we commemorate a pivotal moment in history: the 160th anniversary of Maryland Emancipation Day, which marks the day the Maryland Constitution of 1864 went into effect and officially abolished slavery within the state. This day, when all those still held in bondage were finally set free, is a profound reminder of the dignity of every human person, a dignity that the Catholic Church upholds as sacred and inviolable.
Andrew Middleton’s journey with the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS), an essential ministry under the Archdiocese of Baltimore, began at a surprising and transformative chapter in his life. Raised Catholic in the Sacred Heart of Mary Parish, Andrew’s return to the Church and his subsequent involvement in ministry is a testament to faith’s power to […]
So, when the Lord asks us, “What do you want me to do for you?” we can do no better than to answer as did Bartimaeus: “I want to see!” . . . I want to see you, Lord, with the eyes of faith!
Currently only available in the original Italian, other languages are expected to be available in the coming days.
For Deacon Ed Ramos, service and faith have always been closely intertwined. Growing up in a military family, his early life was filled with constant movement, cultural transitions, and a deeply rooted sense of duty. Born in Puerto Rico, Deacon Ramos’ childhood was shaped by his father’s 32-year career in the United States Air Force. […]
Please join us! We will be hosting a special birthday Mass for our generous donors with birthdays this month at the iconic Baltimore Basilica (409 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201) this coming Monday, October 21st, at 12:10 PM. Your generosity is the life force of our archdiocesan mission of advancement, and we want to honor […]
For Immediate Release October 16, 2024 Esteemed Leader in Education Named to Head-up Search Committee Baltimore, MD – Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick has been named as the Chair of the Search Committee for the next Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Dr. Grasmick is a distinguished leader in the field of education, with […]
In a world where news coverage often highlights the worst in society, Yvonne Wenger stands as a beacon of hope, bringing light to the darkest corners of Baltimore. As the Director of Public Relations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Yvonne’s path to this role was anything but conventional. With a 20-year career as a newspaper […]
