Holy Spirit
‘Joan of Arc’: My Favorite Painting
Many readers know of my passion for art, especially painting. I’m particularly fond of the work of the great Catholic artists Caravaggio, Rubens, and Vermeer, and some examples of their work are in the collection of my favorite museum, the…
A Perfect Model of Fatherhood
Excerpted from Address of John Paul II to the members of the Pontifical Council for the Family, June 4, 1999 The theme of fatherhood, which you have chosen for this plenary meeting, refers to the third year of preparation for the Great Jubilee,…
Heartburn and Broken Ribs – The Catholic Thing
Philip Neri had the custom of rising late at night or in the first hours of morning, making his way through the sleeping city of Rome, outside the city walls, to the Basilica of Saint Sebastian. There he would descend beneath the church, to the…
The Ascension as a Gift of Faith
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Ascension. (Depending on where you are; check your local listings.) It’s worth pondering: Why did Christ ascend? Why, having conquered death, did He not remain? Wouldn’t it have been simpler for a…
A Link in a Chain
Homily preached by the Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D., at the Church of St. Pius X, Forked River, New Jersey, for the Confirmation of Nolan Santos. ‘I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons,’ wrote our latest…
Crossing Yourself When You Enter the Church
Many readers here likely witnessed Baptisms recently, especially if they went to the Easter Vigil Mass. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seem to have been blessed with a good number of Baptisms this year. Let’s pray that this undeserved gift…
Evelyn Waugh’s America – The Catholic Thing
This month makes 60 years since the death of the British author Evelyn Waugh, known both for his superb satires on the modern world and his ability to communicate the beauty and goodness of Catholicism. So, a sharp irony marked his life. Satire…
Easter: God, Love, Life – The Catholic Thing
During the first half of the 20th century, there emerged an extraordinary constellation of English Catholic writers, many of them converts, who had the great gift of being able to explicate the Catholic faith on a popular level without watering…
Remembering the Rest of the Story
Several friends have recently asked for prayers as mothers, friends, even distant acquaintances are seriously ill or lie on their deathbeds. News comes, too, for those of us with memories of storied moments in sports that the great Notre Dame…
Sheila Walsh: When Jesus Shows Up
By The Stream Published on December 9, 2025 Sheila Walsh shares the insights she has gained from a lifetime of seeking the presence of God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eazbKCoQIbw Like the article? Share it with your friends! And use our…