Step Three is more like the narrow channel through which our recovery flows. It is the “turning point” wherein we do something mental—we mak

There is a simple remedy for the crisis in the Church today. It can be applied by Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious brothers and sisters, and the simple laity like you and me. This remedy is Surrender. Surrender to God. This is not a pat answer. But it is a powerful one. One of the loveliest treatises I have read on surrender to God was written by the Rev. Mother St. Thérèse Couderc, of France. Not to be confused with our beloved Thérèse of Lisieux, Mother Coude

Auschwitz became, for me, a lesson in the bondage wrought by evil. In a kind of spiritual irony, I have learned that evil often builds light

The man of darkness once stood over me like a phantom, working his power against me. He tried to kill me. He thought he killed the Man once,

Step Two: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. I remember telling my sponsor early on that the first few steps in my 12-step program didn’t pose much of a challenge to me because I already believe in a “Higher Power.” I didn’t think that the spiritual aspect of the Twelve Steps was going to be much of a leap for me. I had the “God stuff” down. Famous last words, right? I have been a Christian for 13 years—a Catholic for four—and yes,

Anyone who takes himself for his own spiritual director is the disciple of a fool. - St. Bernard of Clairvaux It may be very hard or very easy to find a good spiritual director. It is all up to God. Our souls, ultimately, are under the direction of the Blessed Trinity. But God has ordained, in his wisdom, to use human agents to carry on the work of teaching, guiding and evangelizing the earth. The first step toward finding a good spiritual director who is wise, orthodox, and

He who neglects mental prayer needs no devil to carry him to hell. - St. Teresa of Avila If you want to be holy and live a life dedicated unto God, you simply must talk to him. Look at the alienation between relations in the world today: the children alienated from parents, husbands alienated from wives, siblings maligned – all of this because they do not communicate with love one unto another. So it goes with God. Speak to God from your heart. A good way to do this is to pic

It was Our Lord who asked Peter three times, in rather unusual fashion: “Do you love me?” Peter answered three times, “yes – yes – yes.” And with each “yes”, Our Lord gave a command: Feed my lambs, Peter. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep. If Peter really did love the Lord, then why did Our Lord ask at all? Does he not “know what is in man?” (John 2:24). Surely the all-knowing God knows, too, our thoughts. God Tests Peter: Peter’s Denial and Ascent When Jesus was arrested