Mary

What Did Jesus Mean by ‘Poor in Spirit’?

Pat McCloskey, OFM March 27, 2026

In Matthew 5:3, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In Luke 6:20b, he says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.” Is he talking about two different groups of people? If not, what does “poor in spirit” mean? How can being “poor in spirit” make you blessed?

Our Lady of Champion

Maureen O'Brien March 6, 2026

There is only one Church-approved apparition of Mary in the United States. Our Lady of Champion, in gleaming light among autumnal trees, appeared three times to Adele Brise in Champion, Wisconsin, in 1859.

Graffiti and a sign that says "Nothing is Impossible"

All Things Are Possible

Murray Bodo, OFM January 28, 2026

All mystics wonder what is happening to them when the Holy Spirit asks them to believe the seemingly impossible notion that God wants to enter their lives.

Advent with the Saints: Mary

Greg Friedman, OFM December 14, 2025

In our nativity scenes, the image of the Blessed Mother draws our line of sight from her eyes to the Infant Jesus.

Virgin Mary, Full of Grace

Ela Milewska December 8, 2025

The Virgin Mary didn’t earn her holiness—it was a gift. And the same God who prepared her heart wants to shape ours to receive Christ fully.

How Can Mary Be the ‘Mother of God’?

Pat McCloskey, OFM November 4, 2025

In the second part of the Hail Mary, we say, "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen." My fundamentalist brother wants to know how Mary can be the mother ...