Our response to temptation will cause either lovely flowers or noxious weeds to grow in the garden of our soul. This article tries to identify soul weeds and methods of pulling them out.
We owe much gratitude towards our heavenly mother. She assists us toward the life that matters most—eternal life in heaven. This article tries to answer common questions concerning the Virgin Mary.
To learn the art of prayer is to gain an eternal skill. Acquiring this ability involves constant practice. The Scriptures encourage us to pray always as do the saints. Yet, how is this possible? This article studies seven different methods of constant prayer.
The smile of a child, the fragrance of a flower, sunlight on a fresh, spring morning—all these are short-lived glimmers of heaven. The inward spirit longs for undying joy. God places this desire in the soul and seeks to fulfil it. This article tries to answer questions about heaven.
Hell is not a typical subject of dinner time conversation. After all, it's unpleasant to consider the notion of eternal punishment. How can it be so? This article addresses some common questions regarding the place we know as Hell.
Why did Jesus establish the Eucharist as a Sacrament? Is it in Scripture? What's a Eucharistic miracle? This article tries to answer such questions.
Veils of mystery cover the place we know as Purgatory. Is it for real? Where is it in Scripture? How can I avoid going there? This article seeks to pull aside the veils .
Great women often inspire their husbands to greatness. They help them reach their peak in virtue. Can the same be said of the great St. Joseph? This article takes a closer look at his virtues as formed by Mary his wife.
Motivation is an essential ingredient for success especially for the artist. While some people seems born enthusiastic, as though a fire burned in their souls, others feel continual apathy. This article offers sparks of motivation for the artist.
We have much to thank for the monastic scribes, craftsmen, and artists who created illuminated manuscripts. They helped preserve culture and inspired later generations of artists.
The human face is the ultimate challenge for many carvers. This article offers helpful insights on how to succeed.
St. Maximilian Kolbe's heroic life culminated in Auschwitz, as he gave his life to save another man from death.
Days before his execution, Rudolf Höss realized the full gravity of his sins. He turned to God with deep contrition and trust. Could God forgive him?
St. Teresa of Avila offers the best advice on prayer and awakens the desire to pray. This article considers some of her best counsel on prayer.
The Nazi’s centralized camp for clergy was Dachau, making it the so-called largest monastery in the world. This article recalls four stellar souls of these dark days.
Joseph Dutton decided to leave a comfortable life to live at the leper colony of Kalaupapa, Molokai. Did his nearly 45 years there make him a saint?
To some, Fr. Damien of Molokai was a dirty beast. To others, such as Robert Louis Stevenson, he was a beautiful saint. What is the verdict?
Hermann Cohen was a child prodigy who grew into a wild man. His life changed dramatically after he conducted music for a Benediction service.
America’s female saints are models of courage, wisdom, and charity in the face of great challenges. They improved American society in several ways.
Mental disorders affect many people, including those whom we'd least expect. This article considers four saints who struggled with mental illness.
Every person has a guardian angel. Only the rarest of souls have seen them. Padre Pio saw and spoke regularly with the guardian angels of his spiritual children.
Uncontrolled lust creates problems in society. These saints struggled with lust and have wise advice to stay in control.
"Star of the Sea" has long been a popular interpretation of the name Mary. How did this understanding develop and what is the spiritual significance?
Several saints visited heaven and left descriptions of their experiences. This article peers into heaven through their experiences.
St. Hildegard’ legacy to culture, medicine, and spirituality have multiple benefits to our everyday lives. Her soul was like a flourishing garden.
Priests normally preach through sermons, but these four talented priests spoke through music. Their lives of prayer served as a wellspring of creativity.
St. Josephine Bakhita’s journey towards the light offers a wonderful example of good triumphing over bad experiences.
When most Germans remained silent in view of Nazi injustice, this fearless bishop risked his life to defend the wronged.
While sibling saints are rare, brother and sister saints are most uncommon. These saints reveal the beauty of mutual support between siblings.
St. Philip Neri revived Rome during the Renaissance, earning him the title of “Apostle of Rome,” but his most endearing quality is his joy.
There is a proper way to color your wood burning project without raising the grain of the wood. This article explores the technique more in depth.
A mystic perceives spiritual realities that lay beyond the realm of ordinary human consciousness. Caryll Houselander is a modern mystic.
Unlike his wimpy appearance in art, the real St. Aloysius Gonzaga had formidable will power and manly virtue.
From raising a child to creating a cathedral, patience is essential if a masterpiece is to result. The muscles of patience grow strong through practice. Four saints exemplify this virtue very well.
Imagine a dog that never ate, drank, or aged, and who would mysteriously appear at critical moments of danger. Was St. John Bosco’s dog Grigio an angel clothed in a furry disguise?
Some saints traveled to Heaven by way of an illumined path. Others, no less holy, journeyed in darkness. These saints teach us how to bear with doubts.
St. John of the Cross is the patron of Spanish poets. His most illuminative poetry emerged from the darkness of imprisonment.
Sister Nazarena was an American Camaldolese nun, who lived like an Egyptian hermit in a Roman convent for forty-five years.
Bl. Solanus Casey was an American Capuchin priest. His seven-star virtues cause him to shine in the firmament.
Sometimes the most stunning colors appear at sunset. Likewise, the last days of a saint are beautiful to behold. St. Edith Stein glowed in her final days.