Church Teaching | Simple Catholic Living

Theological Thursday: What are Indulgences?

One of my readers, Yiessa, asked me to “discuss the meaning of indulgences in the Catholic faith.” This is a good topic and a teaching of the Church that is sorely misunderstood by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

What is an indulgence?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic church Theological Thursday: What are Indulgences?

Theological Thursday: The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

In honor of my son Andrew’s upcoming First Holy Communion this Saturday and having talked last week about receiving the Precious Blood, I want to focus this week’s post on Jesus’ presence in the Holy Eucharist.

I will never forget watching an episode of Women of Grace on Continue reading Theological Thursday: The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

Theological Thursday: Receiving the Precious Blood

Reader Dolores contacted me with the following question:

“Is it a sin to NOT [emphasis mine] partake of drinking wine ( blood of Christ) when taking the sacraments?”

In short, the answer is no. Receiving the Precious Blood is optional and many churches do not offer communion under both species.

Longer Answer:

The

Continue reading Theological Thursday: Receiving the Precious Blood

Fortnight for Religious Freedom Starts Tomorrow!

The bishops of the United States are calling all Catholics to participate in the “Fortnight of Prayer for Religious Freedom.” From their website:

“The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “fortnight for

Continue reading Fortnight for Religious Freedom Starts Tomorrow!

Moderation is Key: A Catholic View of Alcohol

Late last week a non-Catholic Facebook friend posed this question: “Is it right or wrong to drink, scriptorially? Is it ok to drink sometime or not at all?”

Apparently, she was getting conflicting opinions from her church and wanted to know what the Bible said about drinking. From this question, an interesting discussion ensued.

Continue reading Moderation is Key: A Catholic View of Alcohol

Submission in a Catholic Marriage

In the first part of this series we learned what the Church teaches about marriage, then we talked about some things that make a good marriage, and then we shared some ways to love your spouse. In this final installment I want to talk a little about

Continue reading Submission in a Catholic Marriage

Why do Catholics Celebrate Ash Wednesday?

(Photo Credit)

For many non-Catholics (and many NEW Catholics) Ash Wednesday can seem a little strange. Why would anyone want to walk around with ashes on their head all day? And many cradle Catholics have been going to mass and getting ashes every year without understanding why.

What

Continue reading Why do Catholics Celebrate Ash Wednesday?

What Makes a Good Marriage?

(Photo Credit)

Last week I started this series by laying out what the Church teaches about marriage. This week I’d like to reflect on what makes a good marriage. Michael and I will be married nine years come August, so I’m no means an expert, but I

Continue reading What Makes a Good Marriage?

What the Catholic Church Teaches about Marriage

The Lord has been putting it in my heart to do a little series on marriage* for a while, and since February is the ‘month of love’ with St. Valentine’s Day and all, I figured now would be a good as time as any to get it going.

In this first installment, I am

Continue reading What the Catholic Church Teaches about Marriage

Our Catholic Traditions: Weekly and Monthly Dedications

In order to help us grow in our faith, the Church encourages many different types of devotions and dedications. Our Mother Church also encourages us to use these devotions to delve deeper into our faith. One way She does this is by encouraging weekly and monthly devotions dedicated to a particular saint or article of

Continue reading Our Catholic Traditions: Weekly and Monthly Dedications

Simple Catholic Living

Welcome!

Membership Communities