News - May 2015 RSS Feed

People often imagine that the Church Fathers looked like their icons and smelled of incense. But, truth be told, even in their writings they resemble more the tattered cloak of Jesus or the dusty, sweat-soaked habits of the early Desert Fathers and Mothers.

Author Denise Bossert uses Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter at the Visitation to highlight nine gifts experienced by both women as they awaited the arrival of their sons. Subtitled Nine Spiritual Encounters with Mary and Elizabeth, she showcases the seasons of birth, grief, newness, and challenge experienced in their hearts. She then invites readers to see these times in their own lives as opportunities to let God make all things new.

Young Christians always struggle with discerning God’s will for their lives, and most adults grapple with good decision-making. In his new book subtitled How to Know God’s Will, Zimak looks at tried-and-true methods for discovering God’s will for our lives — prayer, scripture, the lives of the saints, Church teachings, seeking counsel from trusted friends and mentors, and St. Ignatius’ rules for discernment.

Like many of his fellow Legates, founder Tom Monaghan attends daily Mass. He’s encouraged countless thousands to do the same. This new book subtitled How Frequent Participation in the Eucharist Can Transform Your Life encourages Catholics to grow closer to Jesus and receive Christ’s power for daily Christian living through the Eucharist, the greatest of all devotions.

Despite the fact that our culture has access to every imaginable form of entertainment, we experience a pervading sense of insecurity, emptiness, and malaise amid sporadic peak experiences. Legatus’ former national chaplain addresses the culture’s emptiness, loneliness, and alienation in his new book, subtitled Satisfying Our Restless Hearts.

Building on the prophetic voices of Margaret Mary Alacoque, Thérèse of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, and Faustina Kowalska, Fr. Gaitley does more than pen a historical account of St. John Paul II, the Great Mercy Pope. He expounds on the profound connection between Divine Mercy and Marian consecration.

Just to be clear, Jesus is the redeemer of humanity; Mary is not. While “Mary, co-redemptrix” has been part of Catholic thought and devotion, it’s not yet clear whether this title will receive dogmatic definition.

As we age, the body goes through many changes. Outlined below are just some of the changes we can expect, along with suggestions to promote a healthier future.

Isn’t it beautiful that we have a Mother in heaven who loves us, intercedes for us, treats each one of us as a cherished child, and always leads us to her Son?

Pope St. John Paul II gave the Church a great gift on April 30, 2000, when he made the Sunday after Easter the Feast of Divine Mercy.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) is five years old. Legatus members should continue to learn about and respond to this flawed legislation.

April’s Harvard Business Review has a fascinating article which notes that we regularly hear about unethical CEOs, but not much about firms led by “highly principled leaders.”

Paschal Baylon was born to a poor peasant family on Pentecost, known as “the Pasch of the Holy Ghost” in Spain, which is how he obtained his first name. He spent his early years as a shepherd. As he worked in the fields, he prayed and read religious books.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re at war. We’re at war with radical Islam and we’re in the midst of a fierce culture war — a war of ideas over the best way to live.

The Legatus experience is full of many blessings and opportunities — opportunities to attend the Annual Summit, to go on pilgrimages, to have access to concierge health services, and the list goes on.

Father Robert Rippy has served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Va., since 2005. Ordained in 1984, he pursued Canon Law studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, receiving his licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) in 1988. He’s held many positions during his 31 years as a priest. He has served as chaplain to the Arlington County Police Department; he’s served on the board of directors of the Arlington Catholic Herald; and he was chancellor of the Diocese of Arlington. Father Rippy spoke with Tim Drake.