By Jimmy Akin | Dec. 8 is ordinarily celebrated as the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, but this year in the U.S., it’s being celebrated Monday, Dec. 9. It celebrates an important point of...
By Fr. Dwight Longenecker | The Immaculate Conception reminds us of the original problem with original sin: blaming others. When things go wrong the first thing we do is blame others. God: “Adam, did...
By Dave Armstrong | The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is harmonious with Holy Scripture, and is supported by both analogy and plausibility. Luke 1:28 (RSV) And he came to her...
By Marge Fenelon | For many, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is the hardest to believe of all the Church’s teachings. The idea of Mary having been completely sinless can be hard to believe...
By Laura Dittus | Every year for the past eight years or so, our family has had the tradition of taking annual patron saints. This has been the source of some specific blessings, even beyond that...
Pope Francis has named Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to a major Vatican post, in a move that could boost the Asian prelate's chances of perhaps someday becoming pontiff himself.
Mary, conceived without sin, is a “masterpiece” who reflects “the beauty of God who is all love, grace and self-giving,” Pope Francis said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
A Catholic writer first wrote a nonfiction book called "The Two Popes," then was commissioned to write its fictional screenplay, which centers on fly-on-the-wall conversations between Pope...
In Caravaggio’s painting of Matthew, the sinful tax collector being called by Jesus to “Follow me,” Pope Francis sees the same unexpected, grace-filled moment found in his own call to the priesthood.
The Dec. 3 announcement by the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, that the Vatican has decided to postpone the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has led to a grassroots effort to have Masses said...