The Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, emphasizing the joy from Lent’s struggles, echoing Pope John Paul II’s teachings that self-mastery during hardships leads to greater love and readiness for Easter joy.
Virtues
Three Things I Have Learned at TOBET
Working at TOBET has deepened my understanding of the Theology of the Body, emphasizing that we are our bodies, viewing the body as a sacrament, and recognizing marriage’s crucial role in faith.
What God Asks of Us Tomorrow
The upcoming Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, emphasizing fasting as a spiritual practice. The Church encourages fasting for self-mastery, allowing individuals to deepen their relationship with God and resist temptation through discipline and love.
Ancient Prayers, New Graces
The Jesus Prayer serves as a grounding spiritual tool, offering solace during stress and negativity. Originating from early monastic tradition, it integrates breathing techniques to unify physical and spiritual well-being, enhancing connection with God.
Valentine’s Day: Not Just For Couples
Valentine’s Day can be challenging for singles, but appreciation of the deeper meaning of “eros” offers an opportunity to celebrate love for beauty, truth, and goodness, ultimately drawing us toward God’s perfect love.
Martyrs for Marriage
In 1597, five Franciscan friars were martyred in Georgia for teaching the sanctity of Christian marriage to the Guale people. Their sacrifices underscore the importance of understanding marriage within the context of faith and salvation.
Hope in Solitude
Pope John Paul II reflected on solitude, drawing parallels between Adam’s loneliness and his own experiences during Nazi occupation. He emphasized that, while facing despair, turning to God and self-giving leads to deeper companionship and purpose.
TOB Will Change the World
Exactly 50 years ago, on December 8, 1974, sitting with the Blessed Sacrament, Karol Wojtyla wrote, “O, Maria, thou art beautiful.” Thus began The Theology of the Body. As many of you know, Karol Wojtyla would go on to become Pope Saint John Paul II and lead the...
What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World had it right: “I see friends shaking hands, saying, ‘How do you do?’They're really saying, ‘I love you.’” This is one of the fundamental ideas in the Theology of the Body: the visible reveals the invisible. Friends shaking...
Identity: Who Am I?
The author reflects on a conversation with young adults about sexual orientation, contrasting it with broader human identities. Emphasizes the importance of teaching theology of the body to youth for self-understanding.