Christmas Day is exactly one week from today! Already? How can it be? Are you ready? This is likely a typical conversation taking place around the world. I imagine many people automatically answer with whether or not they have finished their Christmas gift shopping. Yes, we want to be ready with the gifts, decorations, groceries, and festivities. But what about our hearts? Is your heart ready to welcome Jesus the Newborn King? In this third week of Advent, we are called to be

Mosaic at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this special day each year, we celebrate the moment Mary of Nazareth, daughter of Saints Anne and Joachim, was conceived as a pure vessel to one day bear the Christ Child within her womb. Naturally, she had to be pretty special to be chosen. She had to be Immaculate, spared of original sin at t

Crucifix in the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy He is an unusual king. Unlike any other king. The warrior whose weapons are love and compassion. The ruler who offers himself as servant and victim. The one who has no fault or sin. The humble Son of God, fully divine and fully human. The most unusual king. The King of Kings. We close out this final Sunday of the Liturgical Year by celebrating Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, in an unusual way — by