St. Rose of Lima, born Isabel Flores de Oliva on April 20, 1586, in Lima, Peru, was the first person born in the Americas to be canonized as a saint. From a young age, Rose showed a deep commitment to her faith and a desire to live a life of profound devotion and service to […]| Catholic Exchange
I’ve spent years teaching others the ins and outs of exercise and nutritional discipline. From working in a secular gym in Yonkers, New York, to leading group fitness classes in Austin, Texas, to what I do now with my online company, Hypuro Fit, my passion has always been helping people grow stronger; not just physically, […]| Catholic Exchange
One of my faithful parishioners lost her daughter to a heart attack; I did not see her at church for many weeks after the tragedy. She had been a frequent daily Mass attendee and never missed a Sunday. She even served and sang in the choir during many of the weekend Masses. When I asked […]| Catholic Exchange
A spiritual initiative began in 2012 that has since spread quietly around the world. It was the Pilgrimage of the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa. Thirteen years ago, the “From Ocean to Ocean” initiative began. This involved a copy of this icon, also known as the Icon of the Black Madonna, travelling over 220,000 […]| Catholic Exchange
St. Joseph Calasanz, born on September 11, 1557, in Peralta de la Sal, Spain, was a prominent educator and religious reformer. From a young age, Joseph displayed a deep commitment to the Church and a desire to serve others. He pursued studies in law and theology, eventually being ordained a priest in 1583. In the […]| Catholic Exchange
The Gospel calls us to visit the imprisoned—but what are we supposed to do when someone who has been released from prison comes home? It’s a question that has both spiritual and practical ramifications. Each year, more than 600,000 individuals are released from prison in the United States. Within five years, roughly 71% will return […]| Catholic Exchange
The last great battle between good and evil will be over marriage and the family. —Sister Lucia of Fatima Let’s be real: the world is coming at young men hard. From the constant scroll of social media to the hookup culture on dating apps, it’s easy to get pulled into a version of manhood that’s more […]| Catholic Exchange
Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751), an eighteenth-century French Jesuit theologian, provided a seminal study of God’s will in Abandonment to Divine Providence. Caussade writes that to sense God in the present trains the mind to recognize each moment as an entrance into the knowledge and awareness of God, and to act accordingly. It is easy today, […]| Catholic Exchange
St. Louis IX, born on April 25, 1214, was the King of France from 1226 until his death in 1270. His reign is remembered for its emphasis on justice, piety, and reform. As a young king, Louis IX faced significant challenges, including conflicts with the nobility and the need to establish his authority over a […]| Catholic Exchange
St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is traditionally identified with Nathanael, who is introduced in the Gospel of John. Bartholomew was from Cana in Galilee. According to the Gospel of John, he was […]| Catholic Exchange
I am sure lust is a difficult subject matter for religion teachers to discuss with their teenage students. Once our young people reach puberty, and the secular world encroaches on their sense of morals, it is harder to convince them that lust is no friend to the soul. A teenager may not bother to make […]| Catholic Exchange
Catholic Exchange seeks to enable all to be enriched and strengthened in their Christian faith as proclaimed by the Catholic Church. By offering accessible articles and helpful tools for spiritual growth, we seek to make saints in our own time — especially among those who live busy lives but still seek to grow in friendship with Christ.| Catholic Exchange
In past articles, I’ve mentioned how the 1960s counterculture movement was a scourge on the Judeo-Christian world. In this post, I’ll bring to light the self-help “spirituality” of the 2000s, another psychological plague on our culture. The first time that I ever got captivated by something “viral” on social media happened in 2006. A trusted […]| Catholic Exchange
“Don’t forget your bye knocks,” I heard my friend say as we set out from our Paris hotel. “My what? Bye knocks?” “Your binoculars,” she explained patiently, chuckling. “Your binocs!” As we boarded the train from Montparnasse to Chartres, I kicked myself because we had forgotten our binocs. While travel binoculars are more associated with […]| Catholic Exchange
The 19 Martyrs of Gorkum were a group of Dutch Catholic clergy and religious who were executed in 1572 during the Protestant Reformation. Captured by militant Calvinists in the town of Gorkum, these men included Franciscans, diocesan priests, Norbertines, a Dominican, and a canon regular. They were imprisoned and tortured for refusing to deny key […]| Catholic Exchange
To experience Providence is to be touched by the timeless. To experience Providence is to experience the will of God that exists in every moment, accessible to those with the sensitivity to, understanding of, and will to know it. Because of this, humans throughout the ages have differed in their awareness and knowledge of providence. […]| Catholic Exchange
Religious beliefs need to be changed. The odds-on favorite to win the 2016 election for United States President said that to a crowd of abortion supporters in the run up to the election. Many people no doubt thought nothing of it. But coming from a secular leader running for the nation’s highest office, it begged […]| Catholic Exchange
Paulinus of Nola, born in 354 AD into a wealthy Roman family, lived a life that exemplified devotion to God and service to others. Initially, Paulinus pursued a career in law and politics, achieving considerable success and wealth. However, his life took a profound turn when he experienced a conversion to Christianity in his thirties. […]| Catholic Exchange
In the annals of Catholic history, Saint Silverius stands as a revered figure, renowned for his steadfast faith and martyrdom. Born in the 6th century in Italy, Silverius ascended to the papal throne during a tumultuous period marked by political intrigue and ecclesiastical controversy. Silverius, known for his piety and humility, was elected Pope in […]| Catholic Exchange
Romuald, born in Ravenna, Italy, in 950 AD, lived amidst the political and moral turmoil of medieval Europe. Despite being born into privilege, Romuald was deeply affected by the violence and corruption of his time. Seeking solace and guidance, he turned to the Church and embarked on a spiritual journey that would shape his life […]| Catholic Exchange
St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in 1625 in Venice, Italy, into a noble family. From a young age, he was drawn to public service and the Church. After serving as a diplomat and studying law, he was ordained a priest and quickly became known for his intelligence and pastoral care. Pope Alexander VII appointed him […]| Catholic Exchange
Born on St. John Francis Regis, S.J. was born in 1597 in southern France. He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at age 18 and was ordained a priest in 1630. Though he hoped to be sent on foreign missions, he was assigned to rural France—an area deeply affected by the Wars of Religion and […]| Catholic Exchange
In today’s fast-paced world, families often find themselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life—sports practices, work deadlines, school functions, homework, and the many events that we feel pressured to attend. In the midst of all this noise, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Every successful organization—from Fortune 500 […]| Catholic Exchange
When I was a child in the 1950’s, we wanted to convert the world. Kids would say “I want to go to China” or “I want to go to the Middle East.” That missionary fervor is gone now. With these words, an old priest I knew expressed his dismay at the lost confidence in the […]| Catholic Exchange
