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From the Catechism
Angels among us
by Pat Gohn There are angels among us. Yet too often, we ignore their existence. Meanwhile the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) has much to say about these remarkable spiritual creatures. The Bible uses the word angel to…
Death Penalty Teaching Revisited
BY PAT GOHN Back in August 2018, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced Pope Francis’ approved revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church with regard to paragraph 2267 on the use of the death penalty. This revision…
Four ways the Eucharist prepares us for future glory
by Pat Gohn There are many, many reasons to love the Eucharist, but let’s focus on one: The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist prepares us — and is indeed a pledge — of our future glory. Yes, the Eucharist is a…
Rediscovering Sunday as ‘the day of joy’
Sometimes, the joy busters of life get the better of me. When I feel that way, the Catholic Church beckons me to turn my attention toward Sunday. This is much more than the modern notion of “living” for the weekend. Tucked inside the…
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours
by Pat Gohn The Divine Office When we think of an office, we usually think buildings, cubicles, rooms, and spaces where people work. Yet there’s another, less familiar, definition for the word: a service or a kindness done for another. When…
Start the new year attuned to the Holy Name of Jesus
Think Jesus. Here’s the simplest yet most perfect prayer you’ll ever pray: “Jesus.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always” (2668). In January the…
The Power of our Praying Mom: Mary
by Pat Gohn One of my favorite places to pray is seated on my living room sofa alongside a hand-painted statue of Our Lady of Fatima. I brought it home from a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal, more than 20 years ago. I purchased it in…
What the seven sacraments have in common
BY PAT GOHN The seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony — have five important elements in common. They are the sacraments of Christ. All are instituted and based on the…
12 Quotes About Family to Memorize from the Catechism
At Catholic Digest, we aim to encourage Catholic families. A new liturgical year begins on Nov. 27 with the First Sunday of Advent. This new season is a great time to begin a new faith-building practice, such as memorizing short portions of…
Saintly sound bites and sacraments
Saints’ quotes are some of my favorite things about the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They bring the richness of our faith alive. Besides saints being beacons of holiness and wisdom, their genius is often found in their simple and…