My Nana was what some people refer to as Saint Anonymous. Someone that might not be on the same pedestal or as widely known as Saint Theresa or Saint Francis, but goes about their daily life living the same holy virtues unnoticed. On the day of my Nana's funeral, the Vatican was canonizing three saints. During the eulogy, the priest talked about ho...

My four brothers and I frequently share texts. Most involve inane observations or commentary on some sporting event, but they are fun and help keep a small connection going since we live our own lives in five separate states. Brian sent a text the other day that made me stop and think a bit. In it, he stated “Three of the best feelings in the wor...

If you have ever tried to build a piece of furniture, or anything for that matter, you know the feeling… you get done and look at your accomplishment and say, “That did not turn out quite like I expected.”  When I first started learning how to build furniture it happened all the time.  I went into projects with grand expectations, but l...

Have you ever met someone who does all the “Catholic things” right, but who just doesn’t seem happy?  You know—the person who prays constantly, fasts regularly, is involved in various ministries, and is meticulous about “practicing virtue”, but whose life seems absent of joy?  It seems there’s a failure to reach the true goal of vir...

Stress about work is common among men.  Whether it be from anxiety about providing for our families, a lack of personal fulfillment and a sense of meaning, or the everyday interpersonal difficulties that work often entails, it is a simple fact that our work puts a lot of pressure on us.  This is understandable.  We are, after all, creatures made...

The Christian life is not easy.  We are a people called to perfection (Mt 5:48), but we achieve it ever so gradually.  We implore God for His grace and put forth much effort, but perfection always seems to escape us.  This often leads to discouragement, and even at times despair.  Unable to relate to the Psalmist—“But you, O Lord…are the ...

Bach served as Thomaskantor of Leipzig, musical director for liturgical services at St. Thomas and three other Lutheran churches in the city. We have outstandingly beautiful liturgical music for the entire year from Bach: Advent and Christmas oratorios, his famous works on the Passion, and music for major feast days. He also composed a number of so...

My father has a few sayings that he repeats over and over and over again. “Care-Full” he says, “Not, Care-Less”. Here’s another: “If you want to be a smart man, read The Wall Street Journal.” I’ve taken him up on the latter. Every morning, I open the breviary to greet my God, and then open the Journal to see what’s unfolding in...