The Spiritual Life

Despite the Difficulties of Living a Christian Life in the Modern World, You Can Develop a Joyful Spirit

July 13, 2026

(Fall, 2006) by Sister Marie Vianney, CMRI “And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice, and your joy may be full.” (1 John 1: 4) Generation X, the culture of death, gang warfare, terrorism—these and other familiar phrases of our day reveal a sad, hopeless world. Yet such is not the natural state of man. In his famous book Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton writes, “Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him… melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul.”1 Hopelessness and despair, then, are unnatural and make us less human. It is joy that makes man most truly human and shows his true nature. Since joy is a fruit of the Holy Ghost and is not based on the emotions or temperament, it has

What is the Importance of the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and How Do We Live It?

August 18, 2025

From the Lectures of Father Messias D. Coelhoon the Message of Fatima, August, 1967 Fr. Messias D. Coelho, an outstanding authority on the message of Our Lady, was the editor of the Portuguese religious newspaper, The Message of Fatima, as well as professor in the seminary at Fundao, Portugal. Although his English is not the most fluid, his words are an important historical commentary on the Fatima Message. This article is the eleventh in this series of lectures, which, we believe, are appearing for the first time in a periodical. How does Mary care for us when we are consecrated to her? Those of us who have made a consecration to Our Lady belong to her in a special way, more than others who have not consecrated themselves to her. If Our Lady came to Fatima to ask us to accomplish our own daily duties, she herself is always

Doing Battle for the Rights of God: Fr. Mateo, the Sacred Heart, and the Spanish Civil War

June 30, 2025

(Winter 2008) Some ten miles southeast of Madrid lies a hill marking the geographical center of the Iberian peninsula. Here, at the Cerro de los Angeles, occurred two remarkable events in the 20th century, which signify the battle raging in the world between Christ and Satan, between the Catholic Church and the enemies of God, between good and evil. These two events were polar opposites, indicating to us the struggle that is being daily waged for souls. On the one hand we see the merciful love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, yearning to save souls; on the other we see the diabolical hatred towards God and His Church displayed by the devil’s henchmen. To understand the significance of this struggle, let us begin with a brief survey of the life and work of Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC. What was Fr. Mateo’s Background? Edward Crawley-Boevey was born in Arequipa, Peru,

With Christ’s Ascension, We Must offer Him the Kingly Honor He Refused on Earth

May 9, 2025

(Fall-Winter, 2005)A Sermon for the Feast of the Ascension Delivered by the Very Rev. Fr. M. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. My dear parishioners, this feast of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven is one of the feasts of His Kingship. Our Lord was always a King. Even before He assumed our human nature He was always the Lord and King of creation. When He was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. But we see thus far in His life Christ makes no effort whatsoever to seek the honor that was His due. As a matter of fact, one time in His public life after He had worked a miracle, the people were so thrilled and so grateful

The Mystery of the Holy Trinity in the Old Testament

January 29, 2025

By the Most Rev. Mark A. Pivarunas, CMRI (Winter 2008) How often we make the Sign of the Cross and invoke the Holy Trinity, and yet give little thought to the significance of the words which mark the beginning of all our prayers. Whenever we begin to pray, we invoke the Blessed Trinity, one God in three Divine Persons: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” So, too, when we pray the Psalms, we end with “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.” The first part of this beautiful prayer was composed by the Apostles, and the conclusion — “…as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”— was added at the time of the Council of Nicaea. Where does the doctrine of the Trinity come from? Now

Why Fasting and Doing Penance are Vital for Salvation

January 21, 2025

by Rev. Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI (Winter, 2018) Why Did the Apostles Not Fast While Jesus Was With Them? When Did They Begin the Holy Practice? One day the disciples of St. John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked why His disciples did not fast. They pointed out that they and the Pharisees often fasted, and that they had not observed the disciples of Jesus fasting. We could well understand why. Jesus traveled around continuously, and His disciples would have to eat whenever they were able. Jesus Himself had instructed them to “eat what is set before you.” (Luke 10:8). But in His reply to the question posed, Jesus gives another reason: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matt. 9:15). This reply of

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Despite the Difficulties of Living a Christian Life in the Modern World, You Can Develop a Joyful Spirit

What is the Importance of the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and How Do We Live It?

With Christ’s Ascension, We Must offer Him the Kingly Honor He Refused on Earth

The Mystery of the Holy Trinity in the Old Testament

Why Fasting and Doing Penance are Vital for Salvation

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