Simply Catholic

Learn all about this mother church of all Catholic churches.

St. John Lateran Basilica St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome is considered the mother church of all the Catholic churches in the Western world; inscribed on the church facade for all to see are the Latin words “omnium urbis

How to battle the silent killer of spiritual life

How to battle the silent killer of spiritual life Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is often called a “silent killer.” That’s because elevated blood pressure provides few, if any, warning signals before a massive, hypertension-induced stroke causes serious impairment or even death.

November is Black Catholic History Month. Here’s a book study to help celebrate!

Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood: A study guide The following study guide had been created for use with the book “Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood” (OSV, $9.95). It is suitable for individual or group study. Opening Prayer to be used before

Though some Catholics don’t believe in it, the Church still teaches that it's real.

Believing In Purgatory There are, sadly, some Catholics who do not believe in purgatory. Happily, the Catholic Church still teaches that purgatory is real. Why? Because the Catholic Church believes in the sanctifying work of Jesus Christ, the

This rich spiritual practice enlivens a sense of charity and sharpens a healthy sorrow for sin.

What are Indulgences? Indulgences are making a welcome reappearance in the spiritual life of Catholics. After centuries of slow decline in their use, punctuated by decades of almost complete neglect after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the power

From an early age, St. Charles Borromeo exhibited a deep interior life, which served him well when he was appointed to high-ranking ecclesial positions during the pontificate of his uncle, Pope Pius IV. And the Church benefitted from Charles’ great intellect and virtue by the many structural reforms he prioritized during his service to the Church. St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us!

St. Charles Borromeo ‘Be sure that you first preach by the way you live.’ From an early age, St. Charles Borromeo exhibited a deep interior life, which served him well when he was appointed to high-ranking ecclesial positions

What's the difference between a nun and sister?

What is the Difference Between a Nun and a Sister? For 99 percent of Catholics out there, there is no difference in their mind between a nun and a sister, nor between an order and a congregation. But in view of the law of the

What form of government is best?

What Form of Government Is Best? The Catechism of the Church says little specifically about the forms of government and speaks more broadly in the following terms: “Every institution is inspired, at least implicitly, by a vision of man and his

Celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

All You Need to Know about All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days It seems unusual that our Church liturgical calendar schedules two major celebrations on days that are back to back. But that is precisely the situation with the solemnity of All Saints, a liturgical feast, and

Any prayer or pious act applied to the souls in purgatory is a way of loving them.

How To Pray For Those In Purgatory? Any prayer or pious act applied to the souls in purgatory can be a way to pray for them. The most effective manner of praying is to have Masses offered for them or to apply

What exactly is a saint, and what do they mean to us?

The Communion of Saints Catholics are often challenged by other Christians to defend the Church’s teaching about the Communion of Saints. “Why designate certain people with the title ‘saint’?” they ask. “Aren’t we all saints? And why should we

“At my funeral, I don’t want people crying but singing with all their hearts,” Blessed Chiara Badano said before her death at age 18.

Blessed Chiara Badano: A patroness for athletes Blessed Chiara Badano has been identified as the first person beatified from “Generation X.” Born in 1971, her parents considered Chiara a priceless gift since they had waited 11 years to have a child. They