During his weekly Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that "the true sanctuary of God is Christ" who is "the only mediator of salvation, the only Redeemer, the One who, by uniting Himself with our humanity, and transforming us with His love, represents the door that opens wide for us and leads us to the Father."

Pope Leo XIV is planning to convene an extraordinary consistory of cardinals in early January, the theme of which is not yet known. In a brief communication sent to cardinals on Nov. 6, and obtained by the Register on Friday, the Vatican Secretariat of State said that “Holy Father Leo XIV has in mind to convene an Extraordinary Consistory for the days of January 7 and 8, 2026.” When the Register asked Holy See Press Office...

Names occupy a central role in the Bible. The prophet Joel assures us that “all who call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered.” In the Book of Proverbs, we are reminded that “[t]he name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Meanwhile, the Second Commandment instructs us not to misuse the divine name: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. It is no surprise, then, that the Catechism highlights for us the overall importance of names...

Several years into young motherhood, I volunteered to prepare parish second graders for their first Communion. The weekly classes with 18 children often felt like 45-minute exercises in humility, but my goal was to ensure that when the children experienced their first encounter with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, they knew it really was Jesus, and that Jesus really did know them, love them, and long to be received into their bodies, hearts and minds.

For Catholics, the end of October marked the beginning of Hallowtide—All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, All Hallows (All Saints), and All Souls. For Protestant Christians who have maintained some connection with the first Protestants, October 31 is celebrated as Reformation Day, which commemorates Martin Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses...

I entered the Catholic Church a little more than 20 years ago now, and my experiences in non-sectarian, public-charter classical education, first as a teacher, and then for a decade as a school leader, were a necessary condition for it. The soil of my soul was tilled by Socrates. To Tertullian’s exasperated question What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem? I say: everything, bro. Everything.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Godsplaining. My guest today is the one and only Dr. Peter Kreeft, longtime professor of philosophy at Boston College and a noted author. Perhaps you, like me, have read one of Dr. Kreeft’s many books — there are certainly plenty to choose from. I’m so excited to have the good professor with us today to discuss his latest works...

Throughout the month of November, Catholics aim with special dedication to fulfill the sweetest of the spiritual works of mercy, which is to pray for our beloved dead. We do so of course on Nov. 2, the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), which this year happily fell on a Sunday. The Church remembers our beloved dead not just on this day, however, but makes suffrage for them throughout the year — and with special fervor in November.

This coming Sunday is the Feast of the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. Founded in 324, it’s Rome’s oldest church, the oldest basilica on earth, and a sign of the victory and perseverance of the Church after hundreds of years of Roman persecution. But why do Catholics make such a big deal out of places of worship? Some people criticize our cathedrals and ask...

Feast date: Nov 15

St. Albert the Great is a Doctor of the Church and the patron saint of scientists. The native German joined the newly formed Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in the early 13^th century. He earned a doctorate from the University of Paris and taught theology there and in Cologne, Germany.

 

Albert became known as “Great” because of his intellectual abilities; he was a respected philosopher, scientist, theologian and teacher, and was well-versed in Arabic culture. One of his students, who later became a great friend and built upon his Scholastic method, was Thomas Aquinas.

 

He died Nov. 15, 1280.