Emily Stimpson Chapman is a bestselling Catholic author of nearly a dozen books, and a former contributing editor to Our Sunday Visitor. Her writing can be found at substack.com/@emilystimpsonchapman.
Understanding the distinctions between God's positive (or ideal) will and God's permissive (or conditional) will is important. The distinctions matter to all Christians because of the very practical implications that flow from them -- distinctions that, when properly understood, can help us
The collective wisdom of the saints and the Bible leave little room for doubt: The simple life helps pave a smooth and direct path to heaven, a path that investment bankers, congressional staffers and home-schooling moms, as well as Jesuit priests and
By American standards, the Via San Gregorio Armeno wouldn't even qualify as an alley. Measuring perhaps 5 feet across, it's barely wide enough for three men to pass through it abreast. Yet come Advent, the little street in Naples, Italy, welcomes thousands
To the American media, Pope Francis is an enigma wrapped inside a conundrum. When the present Holy Father condemns unfettered capitalism, the political left cheers, while the political right looks on askance. But when Francis condemns abortion, the left falls silent and
Some fear it. Others hope for it. Some see it as proof of God’s mercy; others as testimony to God’s wrath. Many don’t know anything about it, while many more have forgotten what they once knew. The “it” is purgatory, and when
Question: Which of the following events were God’s will? The Fall of man? The Crucifixion? The most recent car accident you were in? Last month’s breakup with your significant other? Answer: They were all God’s will … at least in a way.
The apostle James made it all seem so simple. In his canonical epistle, he wrote: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before our God and Father is this: care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from
The word “theology” has something of a bad rap in our postmodern world. For many a soul, it conjures up images of dusty books, dry speculation and generously proportioned friars debating the number of angels who can dance upon the head of
Pick an age. Any age. Pick a culture. Any culture. Pick a time, pick a place,and then pick a person. Whoever they are, wherever they are, and whenever they are, the same questions haunt them: Who am I? Why do I exist?
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) Saints are not given to moderation — at least not when it comes to showing their love for Christ. And Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was certainly no exception. Born in upstate New York, the daughter of a Mohawk chief,