Origins and Mission Serra Club International is a lay apostolate of the Catholic Church that aims to promote vocations and foster a culture of vocation awareness. Named after Saint Junípero Serra, the Spanish missionary who founded several missions in California during the 18th century, Serra clubs worldwide embody his spirit …

Like many parents of young children, I prepare for Christmas in the weeks—or even months—before its arrival by keeping a list of my family’s wants and needs that can be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. The significant time and energy invested to meet the day’s material expectations often …

As we enter Advent, a season of preparation and hope, then joyfully celebrate the birth of Christ, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains offers us a prayerful and beautiful setting to mark these liturgical seasons. “Everything about the liturgy at the Cathedral Basilica during our Advent and Christmas …

Catholics engage with their faith in bodily and material ways—not just genuflecting, kneeling, and making the sign of the cross but thumbing rosary beads, collecting holy cards, and praying before statues and artwork. Unlike members of some non-Catholic faith traditions, Catholics have long fostered a kind of tactile piety. But …

We do not hear much about the “last things” anymore. Death, judgment, heaven, and hell are often passed over. We hear even less about that state that many will experience before heaven, which is called purgatory. This purification after death has been a consistent part of Catholic teaching for hundreds …

The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on November 2, or, if this falls on a Sunday or a solemnity, the feast is celebrated on November 3. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy on this day, and all the Masses …

By Walter Sánchez Silva Vatican City, Nov 1, 2025 / 08:45 am Pope Leo XIV has declared St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church, recognizing the English cardinal and theologian—one of the most influential converts from Anglicanism—as a towering figure of faith and intellect in modern Catholicism. The declaration …

Falling in love, getting engaged, and going through marriage preparation should be a beautiful, enriching experience. But ask Catholic couples married 25 years or longer about their marriage preparation, and many will respond that they met with their parish priest, completed a questionnaire, and attended a marriage preparation retreat; in …

The Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on the first of November. It was instituted to honour all of the saints, both known and unknown, and, according to Pope Urban IV, to supply any deficiencies in the faithful’s celebration of saints’ feasts during the year. In the early days of …

For the prevention of suicide Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.