Articles

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? The Eucharistic miracle of Altare, Italy, is reported to have taken place in the 13th century. A young woman, heartbroken and desperate to win back her lost love, turned to a sorceress for help. Instead of offering advice or ordinary remedies, the sorceress demanded a […]

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? The sign of the cross is one of the most visible and distinctive gestures associated with Catholic practice, though it is also used by Orthodox Christians and some Protestants. It is typically made by tracing the shape of a cross on the forehead, chest, and

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? Sacramentals are outward signs that were established by the Church to strengthen believers in daily life. They differ from the sacraments themselves but are intended to guide the faithful toward a deeper awareness of God’s presence in all circumstances. The crucifix, the Miraculous Medal, and

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? When entering a Catholic church, many faithful notice a common arrangement: the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is placed on one side of the altar while St. Joseph is placed on the opposite side. While this pattern appears widespread, it is important to stress

Quick Insights What Happened at Fatima in 1917? The events at Fatima began when three young shepherds—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the Portuguese village. During these apparitions, the Virgin revealed to them a vision of hell. Lucia later described the scene as terrifying, a “great sea of fire” where

Quick Insights What Are the Historical Origins of the Practice? The practice of kissing the altar in Christian liturgy is deeply rooted in history and reflects a blend of cultural and religious traditions. In ancient societies, kissing was often a gesture of respect, a greeting, or a form of devotion, not just toward people but

Quick Insights What Happened in Northern Lebanon? In early 2018, three young men from the Sunni Muslim community entered a church in northern Lebanon and vandalized a statue of the Virgin Mary. This act led to their arrest under the charge of “offending religious sentiments,” a serious offense in Lebanon, a country known for its

Quick Insights Understanding the Loss of Prayer Motivation Losing the desire to pray is not a sign of weakness but often a natural phase in the spiritual life. Many people become so involved with daily responsibilities, work, or distractions that they stop feeling the urge to talk with God. Just as social interactions sometimes require

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? The Divine Child Jesus image, known as the “Camerino doll,” is a 15th-century polychrome wooden figure attributed to Domenico Indivini. It was traditionally kept in the Monastery of Santa Chiara in Camerino, Italy, where it was venerated by the faithful. On October 26, 2016, a

Quick Insights What Are the Basic Facts of the Story? Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish Sister of Mercy, experienced mystical encounters with Jesus, which she carefully documented in her Diary. On June 2, 1938, in Krakow-Pradnik, Jesus guided her through a three-day spiritual retreat focused on spiritual warfare. The Diary is considered a manual of