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Why is St. Jude Thaddeus known as the patron saint of hopeless cases, and how does devotion to Christ's apostle bring hope to those facing impossible trials? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Anna Mitchell welcomes back Fr. Frank Donio, SAC, Director of the Catholic Apostolate Center and Pallottine priest.  Fr. Frank shares the rich history of the St. Jude Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, which has been cared for by the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers since 1917. The Novena to St. Jude began in 1941. It became solely a shrine in 1989. He discusses the perpetual novenas, daily confessions, live streams, and digital petitions that connect pilgrims from around the world to the shrine (stjudeshrine.org). Fr. Frank also shares a deeply personal story of St. Jude’s intercession in his own family, while explaining the iconographic symbolism of St. Jude—including the image of Christ, the club of his martyrdom, and the flame of the Holy Spirit that inspires unwavering Christian hope.  Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

This summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. This certainly was one of the most incredible weeks of my life; not only was I in Rome and Europe as a whole for the first time, but I was there for a Jubilee Year, something that usually happens only every twenty-five years. The city was overflowing with pilgrims; everywhere you looked there would be a bus full of people from different countries all meeting in Rome. It was here, amidst a packed city with tiring cobblestone streets that I encountered St. Gaspar del Bufalo. Tucked away in Rome, just a short walk from the famous Trevi fountain, there is a small church on a street corner called St. Maria in Trivio. In this little church, which rivals many churches here in beauty, there is a beautiful side altar dedicated to St. Gaspar del Bufalo, in which his tomb is encased. The tomb is designed as a statue of St. Gaspar, presumably in his final moments. He is pictured raising his head and looking at the crucifix he is holding. In his final moments, St. Gaspar looks up and sees that instrument of man’s redemption by which the Lord’s Precious Blood was shed for the redemption of the whole world. Our chaplain surprised us by saying that we would be having Mass on this very altar. I had never heard of St. Gaspar before, but his story intrigued me. After hearing about him, I was inspired by his devotion to the Precious Blood. He was a priest in early 19th century Rome who had a tireless commitment to the poor and the preaching of the Gospel. What distinguished him, however, was his strong devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ. Like the Precious Blood, St. Gaspar poured himself out in service to God and His Church, and he called people to deeper conversion to Christ through devotion to His Precious Blood. St. Gaspar was no stranger to turmoil; he lived through Napoleon and was a missionary in the Papal States during a time of great banditry. Through all of this, he fought not with physical arms, but with a strong love of Christ and His Precious Blood. Following the example of St. Gaspar, it is important to reflect upon the Blood of Christ and draw closer to the mystery of it. The Blood of Christ, the Blood of God-incarnate was shed for all of us. One drop of that blood would have been sufficient for the redemption of the human race, but, as a sign of God’s inexhaustible love, Christ poured out His blood abundantly. St. Gaspar reminds us that this Precious Blood was poured out for you, for me. Despite our sins and our failings, we must be ever conscious of the fact that Christ loves us so deeply that He poured out His Blood for us. May we learn from the example of St. Gaspar and draw deeper to the mystery of the Precious Blood of Jesus learn of His great love from “the sprinkling of his Blood, in which lies all our salvation.” St. Gaspar del Bufalo, pray for us! Author: Ryan Corey worked as a summer associate at the Catholic Apostolate Center, where he assisted on the newsletter, blog, podcasts, videos, and various other projects. Ryan is a student at The Catholic University of America studying Philosophy and Theology. He is involved with Campus Ministry, the Knights of Columbus council, and he is currently serving as a member of the College Councils Advisory Board for the Knights. Ryan is originally from Chester County, Pennsylvania.   Resources:  Listen to On Mission Read the Ad Infinitum blog St. Gaspar del Bufalo Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

How are lay Catholics called to be active agents of the New Evangelization rather than passive spectators in the pews? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Anna Mitchell welcomes back Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., Director of the Catholic Apostolate Center, to explore the Magisterium's teaching on the vital role of the laity in spreading the Gospel.   Fr. Frank examines how Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter Porta Fidei urged the faithful to rediscover the joy of believing and to radiate Christ’s love through everyday witness rather than self-righteousness. He then highlights how Pope Francis built upon this vision in Evangelii Gaudium, emphasizing that every baptized person—regardless of their level of theological education or office—is called to be a "missionary disciple." Discover how living the faith with authentic joy, charity, and personal engagement can transform the world around us.  Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

How are lay Catholics called to share the Gospel in their everyday lives? Fr. Frank Donio, SAC, Founding Director of the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins host Anna Mitchell on The Son Rise Morning Show to continue exploring the development of Church teaching on the role of the laity. Focusing on Pope St. Paul VI’s Evangelii Nuntiandi and Pope St. John Paul II’s Christifideles Laici, Fr. Frank discusses the family as the "domestic church," the co-responsibility of young people in the Church's mission today, and practical, everyday ways to witness to the faith in the workplace and local community.  Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the protomartyr of the Philippines. A professional calligrapher, he was falsely accused of murder and ultimately hanged to death in Japan. Despite his end, St. Lorenzo remained faithful to God, exclaiming his last words: “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer.” During St. Lorenzo’s canonization, St. John Paul II said this of martyrs:“In their sufferings, their love and imitation of Jesus reached its fulfillment, and their sacramental configuration with Jesus, the one Mediator, was brought to perfection.”When I read about St. Lorenzo’s life, I became fascinated by the last moments of a martyr’s life. St. John Paul II noted that these last moments marked the fulfillment of their love and imitation of Jesus. A martyr’s love for Christ is so marked in the moment they offer their life that the severity of their situation does not have any bearing on the love that burns in their heart. Out of curiosity, I came across the last words of saints who had an impact on my own life:St. Paul the Apostle:“I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. As for the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming.”St. Dominic de Guzman:“Have charity one for another, guard humility, make your treasure out of voluntary poverty” and “Do not weep, I shall be of more use to you after death than I ever did in life.”St. Therese of Lisieux:“I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me. My God, I love you.”St. Teresa of Calcutta:“I love you Jesus.”St. Pier Giorgio Frassati:"May I breathe forth my soul in peace with you."Read the last accounts of saints - it's a humbling experience to see that, despite the different circumstances their earthly life ended in, similar themes and sentiments are shared. All accounts share a testimony of love, of going to the Father. The present moment fades, but what they take with them is a clarity of thought, one of resolve and peace.One beauty of our Catholic tradition is the opportunity to read the accounts of holy saints throughout history who have courageously offered their lives for the Church. Fundamentally, their lives were offered out of love, and that burning love preserved them in the toughest moment of their earthly life. Their suffering in the end, redeemed through Christ, was the highest expression of their love to God. We can turn to the cross as that reminder.The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men” [1 Timothy 2:5]. But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, “the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery” is offered to all men (CCC #618). As we reflect upon the saints’ lives and come to learn about their last moments, let us call upon their intercession, that we too might meet those tough moments in our lives with the same love burning in our hearts. Our lives will take us on different paths, but back to God. If we stay true to the path of love, may our last words echo a similar breath of love and peace. All you Holy Saints of God, pray for us!   Author: Patrick Laorden serves as a Grant Writer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. He's also part of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic and active with the Knights of Columbus at his parish.   Resources:  Listen to On Mission Read the Ad Infinitum blog St. Lorenzo Ruiz Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center discusses the role and empowering mission of the laity through the lens of Venerable Fulton Sheen. Fr. Frank highlights Sheen’s tenure as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and his influential role at the Second Vatican Council on the decree on missionary activity, Ad Gentes. He notes Sheen’s emphasis that mission is defined not merely by what it is, but where it occurs—underscoring that all the baptized are called to be missionaries in their everyday lives.  The conversation also explores the true meaning of the lay apostolate, correcting misconceptions that lay involvement is limited to liturgical roles within church walls. Reminding listeners that the Church cannot become a closed "club," Fr. Frank and host Matt emphasize that the laity are sent forth from Mass to witness Christ in the workplace, schools, and secular corners of the world where clergy cannot easily go. Fr. Frank connects this outward mission to the legacy of St. Vincent Pallotti, pointing out that every modern pope has reaffirmed this essential calling of lay people to show the face of Christ to the world. Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

As a former high school theology teacher and perpetual theology student, I like to think of myself as a Catholic theology nerd. I like to write papers on obscure, confusing Old Testament Bible passages that I’ve studied, and I love sharing what I learn about God, His Word, and His Church with others. So, when I became a parent and my infant son did every single thing a baby could do during the one hour Mass (including pooping LOUDLY during the consecration), I was both shocked and frustrated. ‘I just want to pray!’ I exclaimed internally. This was my one hour per week to get out of the house and experience the beauty of Mass! I thought: ‘Finally, it was my turn to be encouraged and spiritually fed.’ Instead, I fed someone else.Fast forward four years, and my husband and I have three children under 5 years old in the pew with us, and our funny stories about the things that have happened during Mass could fill a book and make you laugh till your sides hurt! From chasing a toddler track star down the main aisle to a child bursting into tears after receiving Lenten ashes saying between sobs, “But I don’t want dirt on my face!,” no Sunday Mass with the Ferguson family is ever boring. Sometimes, just sometimes, I’m able to detach from my embarrassment long enough to laugh. More often than I’d like to admit, I find myself tired, weary, and overall just at a loss for how to survive Mass with my little saints. Recently, the Holy Spirit filled me with an idea; ‘Ask other moms what works for them.’ So, I did. I polled every mother of small children I knew, and what I got in return was nothing short of pure mom genius! In speaking about Mass with small children, many of the moms pointed out that the frustrations we parents often feel in Mass are normal and reasonable.One mom said, “It's OK to feel sad about [how different Mass is with children compared to going to Mass before having kids] because it is frustrating and can start to feel like spiritual dryness if you aren't able to devote the same amount of attention to [Mass] as before.” “This is a new season of life to get used to,” a different mom explained, “and you probably won’t be able to pray the same way at Mass as you did before motherhood. Accepting that means less frustration, … There will come a time again when the kids are older and aren’t as needy and you can focus on the Mass again.”Mass as a parent with young children will not (and should not) look the same as Mass when you were a single adult. It could be that for many Sundays, we parents just won’t hear the homily, or we miss the readings and the Eucharistic prayer because someone got fussy or needed to be changed, or said they needed to go potty for the fourth time in an hour.During these years, still another explained, “You may not ‘get much’ out of Mass for yourself. Think of it as a season of ‘giving much’ at Mass. Don't guilt trip yourself over being distracted by your kids, just offer it to the Lord. In a way, you are offering more to Jesus by coming to Him when it is difficult and you don't get much spiritual sweetness - not to mention that you are bringing Him your children, the most precious gift you can bring to the Church!” Personally, I like to imagine the rest of the parish community saying, ‘You care for that precious baby or toddler, we’ll handle the Mass responses.’ After all, everyone present prays the Mass together, as a community, so when my attention is divided, someone in the pew next to me can focus on my behalf, and pray on my behalf. Still another mom put it this way: Caring for your children during Mass “is your mission work. It’s okay if they whine and talk, … They’re little and can only handle so much. They’re going to have times where it’s too much! … Sometimes it’s okay if [it feels like] the only good thing about Mass was that you showed up.”How powerful it is to ponder the difficulty overcome by parents who continue to show up to Mass, week after week, when they know it will be a struggle! Acknowledging the challenge and continuing to bring your children to Mass is truly a commendable endeavor!   The Greatest ‘Catholic Mom Wins’Overall, I received responses back from 17 young moms with littles ranging from newborns to toddlers across half a dozen states. When asked, “What tips or tricks do you have that helped make attending Mass with little ones easier?” From parent to parent, here’s their best advice:   “Choose a Mass time that works for your family. I liked going first thing in the morning … because our kids were fresher in the morning.” “I tried to plan nap time around when Mass started.”If you choose to attend an early morning Mass, “set [out] outfits the night before (even for myself).” “We tried different areas of the church until we found “our spot”. We like sitting [in] the back row of [the] church so there aren’t any distractions behind us. And if our kids are crying or need to use the restroom we can get out quickly. … For the big kids we try to have a Catholic coloring sheet or some small toys they can play with quietly until they become of age to be able to pay attention more fully. We’ve also tested different Mass times and found that our kids do best at the Noon Mass.” “We have a church book bag that we keep in the car, [and] the [books in that church bag] are only books they see at church; they seem “new’ and not something that is played with all the time. I use books … that are religious based like a Noah’s ark book or Toddler missal, etc. … I also have realized that sitting where they can see what is going on really helps too. Basically we can explain what is happening a lot easier this way.”  For babies, we always bring “a clip and tether that keeps the teether [or pacifier] attached to the child.” If you have more than one child, “sitting between children [helps a lot], so as they [do] not get each other overly excited.”  Bring “Books about Mass! Books about saints or Bible stories for them to look at during [the Mass]. A couple of favorite small toys or a favorite stuffy (keep it light. Don’t get overwhelmed with their stuff), definitely a snack or two and water!... [and] Talk to them about everything that’s happening in Mass!” “When managing kid behavior, prioritize silence over stillness. If a kid is screaming or making noise, that's distracting others, so … [you can] take them to the back. But if kids are walking up and down the aisles a bit, it's not a big deal. I have boys and it's simply not realistic to expect them to sit still for an hour … But they can usually fidget or color quietly. And when they can also participate noisily (Alleluia, Great Amen, etc.) encourage and model it! … Sitting up front helps my kids behave better because they can see what's going on and get interested to participate, and I think also because they are visible to others, … a certain amount of ‘stage fright’ tones them down.”  Finally, “remember to ask Mary to help you mother them like she mothered Jesus.”  Author: Meg Kanatzar Ferguson, D.Min. is the Curriculum Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center. She helps develop online course materials and curriculums and assists with the development of Catholic Apostolate Center publications.   Resources: Listen to On Mission Read the Ad Infinitum blog Marriage and family resources     Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center begins a new series on the development of Church teaching regarding the laity, prompted by the U.S. bishops' ongoing consultation for a forthcoming document on the lay faithful. Fr. Frank starts at the Second Vatican Council with the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, and its proclamation of the universal call to holiness—the teaching that holiness is possible not only for monks, cloistered nuns, and clergy, but for all the faithful, each in his or her own way. The discussion also turns to the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem, which affirms that all the baptized share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ and are sent by him on mission in the Church and in the world. Fr. Frank highlights St. Vincent Pallotti as a forerunner of this teaching, and recalls the Pallottine role—alongside a young St. John Paul II—in drafting the decree that continues to shape the Church's vision of the lay apostolate today. Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Gregory the Great offers us invaluable lessons in living the Christian life. He models for us morality, service, prayer, among other attributes. This blogcast explores “The Reluctant Pope" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Don McCrabb and read by Jonathan Harrison. Do you have a favorite saint? As Catholics we enjoy the “communion of saints,” a treasure trove of ancestors in the faith, who “intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 956). They learned from Jesus, were perfected through their love for him, and offer their wisdom to us and our struggles to God. One of my favorite saints is Gregory the Great (540-604).  I was 44 when I met St. Gregory. I was preparing to teach an introduction to pastoral ministry class to seminarians. At the time, psychology and sociology shaped pastoral care. St. Gregory offered an accessible, faithful, and practical approach. My students loved him.  St. Gregory was born into a wealthy family in Rome. By his early 30’s, he was Prefect of Rome – like a city manager – responsible for roads, aqueducts, and safety. After his father died, he resigned his position, gave away his vast estates, converted his family home into a monastery (Saint Andrew’s), and became a monk. Eventually, the Pope called him into service, made him his personal envoy to Emperor Tiberius, and then returned to Rome to be Abbot. In 590, after a terrible flood, the pope died, and the people elected Gregory to be pope. He resisted and appealed to the emperor who denied his request. He was consecrated pope on September 3, 590.  St. Gregory has been, and continues to be, a blessing to me. Here are five lessons I learned from St. Gregory.  Scripture: St. Gregory treasured the time monastic life gave him with scripture. It was the foundation of his prayer, shaped his teaching, and inspired his preaching and writings. His secretary said that a dove would land on his shoulder, he would stop, listen carefully, and then dictate his homily. St. Gregory is often depicted with a dove near his ear to represent that he was docile to the Holy Spirit. He is the patron saint of teachers.  Prayer: Catholics cultivate a personal and communal prayer life. St. Gregory drew inspiration from the lives of others. He was the first to write a biography of St. Benedict. He complained that his papal responsibilities took away from his prayer time. St. Gregory reformed the liturgy, adding the Our Father before communion. While he did not create Gregorian Chant, he was the first monk elected pope, and, with 15 other popes named Gregory, was a source of inspiration to other popes. He is also the patron saint for musicians.  Morality: St. Gregory would not separate spirituality from morality. Indeed, the moral life is the personal and practical spirituality of the Christian. Our actions – to do good and to avoid evil – is how we live out our relationship with God. St. Gregory’s greatest work is the Morals in Job. Its actual title is An Extensive Consideration of Moral Questions and is six volumes. His moral sense extended to the papacy being the first pope to refer to his role as the “servant of the servants of God.”  Care for the Person: St. Gregory was aware of the struggles of moral life. He believed it was the responsibility of bishops and pastors to provide pastoral care for the faithful – to accompany them through their moral decision making. Consequently, he wrote Pastoral Care to give pastors a practical way to respond based on the type of person they engage: introverts differently than extraverts, aggressive differently than the docile.  Mission: When St. Gregory returned to Rome to become Abbot, he encountered youth from England which awakened a desire to leave Rome and be a missionary in Britain. He responded to that call by sending Augustine and some other monks from his abbey to England. He encouraged them to give a Christian meaning to some of the shrines and rituals of the people. The Church took root in England and Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. ​ ​St. Gregory lived during turbulent times. We live during turbulent times. St. Gregory rooted himself in scripture and scripture infused his personal prayer and celebration of the Eucharist, his approach to the moral life, his care for others, and his passion for mission. Perhaps these merits drawn from his life can do the same for us. St. Gregory, pray for us!    Author: Don McCrabb, D. Min., a pastoral theologian, is the former Executive Director of the United States Catholic Mission Association.   Resources: Listen to On Mission: The Papacy Accompaniment Read the Ad Infinitum blog Learn about St. Gregory the Great Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center reflects on celebrating his 40th anniversary of Pallottine consecration. Drawing from his four decades of religious life, Fr. Frank unpacks Pallottine spirituality, explaining how the six promises of the Pallottines—including chastity, poverty, obedience, a spirit of service, sharing of resources, and perseverance—differ from traditional religious vows and free members to serve Christ and His Church more fully. The discussion also explores key guidance for young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a community's core charism and spirituality rather than external factors. Fr. Frank shares personal reflections on his own vocational journey, how surrendering personal plans opened the door to unexpected paths of service, and how the example of St. Vincent Pallotti continues to inspire a daily life of mission and discipleship. Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Christ calls us to take on his mission of spreading the Good News to the ends of the Earth. This is not just relegated to priests and religious, but is a call for all the baptized to participate in the sanctification of the world. This blogcast explores “Being On Mission" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Chris Pierno and read by Jonathan Harrison. Recently the Knights of Columbus concluded its 142nd Supreme Convention, which took place in Quebec City, Canada. Over 2,500 Knights and family members gathered to pray together, celebrate past accomplishments, and be renewed in their fraternal zeal to forward the mission of the Order’s founder, Blessed Michael McGivney. I have had the pleasure of attending this international event several times, along with my brother knights and families from the District of Columbia, and this year my wife and I were able to bring our son with us for the first time. The centerpiece of each year’s convention is the annual report of the Supreme Knight, where he not only reviews the past year’s accomplishments, but also delivers a pertinent message. This year, the Supreme Knight challenged us to remain “On Mission.” This phrase is no stranger to me, or anyone associated with the Center, as it was chosen as the name of our premier podcast. I couldn’t help but smile as this phrase I have heard, and have taken to heart, was being used in another organization that I have dedicated so much time and energy to. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly reminded us that it is our duty as Catholics to witness the hope that comes from Jesus Christ. It was what led Blessed Michael McGivney, a parish priest, to found the Knights of Columbus – that through the small group that banded together at the Order’s founding, the Lord would do great things.  This phrase of being “On Mission” has centered me over the years, especially with regards to my formation as a Catholic man – first as a college student figuring out his way in the world, then as a young adult venturing in the workspace, and now as a husband and father. It ties everything back to our baptismal call as Catholics – to go forth and to serve, to evangelize, and to bring others closer to Christ and his Church. This mission may sound lofty, unattainable, or even overwhelming. How can I do all of this and still be of the world? Isn’t this something for the theologians, the priests, and the religious who devote their entire lives to this mission? In short, the answer is no. Groups like the Knights of Columbus, and indeed the Catholic Apostolate Center, are here to make this mission that we have been given easier to accomplish. The work will never be finished. However, we can continue to remain On Mission together, not alone. Through the resources and guidance that places like the Center provide and through the fraternity that groups like the Knights of Columbus provide, we can make this mission not only attainable, but perhaps even accomplished. In conclusion, I leave you with the encouragement to not go on this mission alone. I believe Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly sums it up best: “…we trust in the Living God who holds the future in his hands. He will guide us, as he did our forefathers. And like them, he calls us to go on mission.”   Author: With the Center since 2011, Chris Pierno is the Catholic Apostolate Center's Manager of Marketing & Consulting. In this role, he oversees the Center's marketing program and coordination of consulting services. He also supports the staff in areas of  graphic design, advancement, public relations, administration, and strategic planning for the Center. Chris also is a co-host for the Center's premier podcast, OnMission.   Resources: Listen to On Mission: Ten Year Retrospective The Knights of Columbus Read the Ad Infinitum blog Learn about Knights of Columbus   Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order, dedicated his life and the mission of the order to preach the Gospel and educate the faithful in the truth. This blogcast explores “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Ryan Corey and read by Meghan Abando. “What is truth?” (John 18:38). That short and, on the surface, simple question that Pilate asked Jesus is a question that is all too familiar to the hearts of many people today. In this world, we are surrounded by “truths,” each promising their own way to honor, peace, prosperity, and ultimate happiness as the fulfillment of one’s desires. We live in a world that says, “you have your truth, and I have my truth,” with each person striving after happiness on their own terms. However, when each person searches after their own truth, there is no real absolute truth. In fact, there is no truth at all, only a myriad sea of endless self-satisfaction. In this darkness we find ourselves today, a shining star and exemplar can be found in the life and spirit of the early thirteenth-century saint, Dominic de Guzmán, whom the Church celebrates today. St. Dominic, a man filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, knew the Truth as an incarnate person, Jesus Christ. He so loved Truth itself, that he lived to set the world aflame with love for and knowledge of it.  St. Dominic, a wise and learned man, who was known for selling his expensive books to provide for the poor, left us no writings of his own. Instead, we know everything about the life of this holy man from those who knew him best and from the living witness of the order he founded, the Order of Preachers - the Dominicans. One of the mottos of the Dominican Order is “Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare.” In English, this means, “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach,” and it was in this manner of constant praising, blessing, and preaching that Dominic lived his life. While traveling through Southern France, St. Dominic was devastated to see that the region had been consumed by the Albigensian heresy. The Albigensians believed that the material world was evil, and that only the spirit world was good. For them, God could never have become flesh. The Incarnation and the Crucifixion were only illusions for them. St. Dominic was beset with grief for these people; they had been deceived away from the Truth he loved. Rather than abandon those who had fallen to this error, St. Dominic so loved them that he began preaching against this heresy in 1205. For a man who was known to speak only to God or about God, he had little success in stopping Albigensianism in his time. Undeterred by failure, St. Dominic had a grand vision for the future of the small band of preachers he had gathered to himself. In a time when preaching primarily focused on morals and priests were quite uneducated in dogmas of the Faith, Dominic wanted his preachers to be studious and well-educated to combat heresy in service to the Church. Study then, is one of the Dominican’s most powerful tools, and it is also their life-sustaining nourishment. In study, one allows themself to draw so closely to the Truth, that their minds are illumined with the Light of Christ. In sacred study, one does not discover the Truth; rather, study opens one’s heart to receive it.  Not too long after founding the Order of Preachers in 1215, Dominic, having his brothers gathered in Toulouse, France, announced that he was sending them out to preach and establish Dominican houses throughout Europe. Dominic knew that when the Truth had made its dwelling in one’s heart, it cannot be locked away there, or in Toulouse for that matter. Filled with the love and knowledge of God in their hearts, Dominic sent his brothers off to set the world on fire. Armed with the praise of God on their lips, they became a blessing to all they encountered, sanctifying the world around them, through the preaching of the Truth that is Jesus Christ, whom they preached till death.  The fruits of this sending forth are evident in my own life. I am blessed to live right across the street from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. where the friars receive much of their formation. From there, Truth sets to work in their hearts in many different expressions, be that in a new episode of the Godsplaining podcast, some bluegrass from the Hillbilly Thomists, or the ministry of my own chaplaincy at The Catholic University of America, the fruits of today’s Dominicans are countless. However, all of them have their source in the spirituality of one traveling preacher from northern Spain. May we all learn from the example of St. Dominic, who lived his life to praise, to bless, and to preach in the name of the Truth that he loved. St. Dominic, pray for us!   Author: Ryan worked as a summer associate at the Catholic Apostolate Center, where he assisted on the newsletter, blog, podcasts, videos, and various other projects. Ryan is a student at The Catholic University of America studying Philosophy and Theology. He is involved with Campus Ministry, the Knights of Columbus council, and he is currently serving as a member of the College Councils Advisory Board for the Knights. Ryan is originally from Chester County, Pennsylvania.   Resources: Listen to On Mission: Religious Brothers Browse the Feast Day Site Read the Ad Infinitum blog  Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Blessed Solanus Casey’s path to sanctity was not marked by an extraordinary events in his life, like other saints. Rather, his life shows that sanctity is lived out in the daily, mundane acts and in the situations God places us in. Humbly recognizing our part in God’s plan can help to gain sanctity in this side of life and draw others to Christ. This blogcast explores “Blessed Solanus Casey: A Modern Model of Humble Holiness" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Erin Donn read by Monica Thom Konschnik. I recently attended a retreat where the priest warned us against the temptation to see the saints as mere pictures on holy cards or statues that decorate our churches. These icons of the saints and, more importantly, the real example of their lives are meant to call the heavenly host to mind so that we can call on their intercession and emulate their virtue in our lives. But the temptation nonetheless remains. For myself, I have realized this is in part because the saints can feel so distant. Many of them lived centuries ago, in times and settings that are vastly different from our own, while others live out piety or charity to a degree that can just feel unattainable. This is where my blessed friend Solanus Casey comes in; he is one among many modern day saints. Born in Wisconsin in 1870, Bl. Solanus Casey grew up in a large Irish Catholic immigrant family. While technology and ways of living have changed dramatically in the 150 years since his death, Bl. Solanus Casey still rode in cars and took telephone calls. There are countless photos and even videos documenting his life as a friar. As an American, Solanus also lived and ministered in towns and cities that are familiar to us, like Detroit, Michigan, and East Harlem in New York City. The familiarity of Bl. Solanus’ life reveals an example of everyday holiness that we can apply to our own lives today in the twenty-first century. He did not face the threat of martyrdom nor did he live his religious vow of poverty more radically than required. But in his life as a Capuchin Franciscan friar, he did profoundly witness to humility and poverty of spirit in the ordinary circumstances of his life. Whether in his winding and sometimes frustrating path to religious life, bearing chronic illnesses, or performing his daily duties well, Solanus showed how we can find the entirety of our lives within God’s gracious providence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines humility as “the virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good. Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride, and provides the foundation for turning to God in prayer.” These words provide a good summary of Bl. Solanus’ approach to life. He initially began his studies for the priesthood at the diocesan seminary, however four years into his studies he was asked to leave. Solanus was barely passing some of his classes, but he was doing well in others. However, he was also studying in a German-headed diocese with strong anti-Irish sentiments. Despite this disappointment, and an initial distaste for the friary, he prevailed in pursuing the priesthood and entered with the Capuchins. Even here he struggled with his studies and when he was finally ordained in 1904 it was as a “simplex priest,” which offered him fully priestly faculties but prohibited him from hearing confessions or preaching homilies for congregations. A natural reaction to these trials would be discouragement or turning back, but Fr. Solanus abandoned these things to God, maintaining his trust in God and confidence in his vocation. In many of the friaries where he was assigned, Fr. Solanus was given the job of porter, which meant greeting people and answering telephone calls at the friary. It was particularly in this role that he made up for his inability to preach homilies that he was still able to touch thousands of lives as individuals came to him for counsel and healing. As news of his miraculous prayers spread, Fr. Solanus would spend hours each day meeting with individuals seeking his assistance. It was through Solanus’ obedience to this unremarkable job that God was able to do remarkable work. Throughout the ups and downs of his religious life, Fr. Solanus’ journal entries often ended with the simple phrase, “Deo Gratias.” Solanus rejoiced in knowing “the richness of life which has come to [us] by the grace of God.” He was able to receive all in his life, the joys as well as the struggles, as the will of the Father. May we learn from Bl. Solanus Casey how to remain faithful to God in all circumstances, confident that the Lord is and will always work all things for our good. Further reading: Odell, Catherine M. (2017). Father Solanus Casey: Revised and updated. Our Sunday Visitor.   Author: Erin Donn serves as the parish missionary at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, DC.   Resources: Listen to On Mission: Catholic Feast Days App On Mission: All Saints and All Souls Days Browse Catholic Feast Days Site Read the Ad Infinitum blog Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

We are called to bring Christ’s love and peace to all whom we meet in every situation. The Pallottine Fathers and brothers dedicate themselves, under the inspiration of St. Vincent Pallotti, to work for greater peace and charity in our world. This blogcast explores “Instruments of Peace and Love" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. and read by Jonathan Harrison. Homily for July 10, 2024 “Grant us to be instruments of peace and love, reflecting the love of Christ in every situation”   The theme for our reflection and prayer today is, once again, taken from the Prayer in Preparation for the UAC General Congress. It is a very sincere prayer from our hearts: “Grant us to be instruments of peace and love, reflecting the love of Christ in every situation.” Every Pallottine is called to be an instrument of peace and love, by reflecting the love of Christ in every possible situation. This prayer reminds of the famous prayer of the great Saint Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” It is a timeless expression of humility, love, and service to others. The prayer captures St. Francis’s commitment to peace, love and compassion, emphasizing virtues like forgiveness, understanding, and selflessness.  It is also a reminder for all the members of the Union that they have to be genuinely involved in the affairs of the world. They have to be instruments of peace and love, fraternal communion and solidarity, through the exercise of forgiveness and compassion. They have to be healers and protectors of the widows and orphans. But all these things are to be done not on their own merit; they have to only reflect the love of Christ in every situation. The first reading from the book of Hosea reminds us that we can cease to be instruments of peace and love. Israel became like a luxuriant vine producing a lot of fruit. “The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred pillars. Theirs is a divided heart; now they will have to pay for it. He himself will hack down their altars and wreck their sacred pillars.” (Hosea 10:1-2) God destroyed the arrogance and the symbols of immortality. “Sow saving justice for yourselves, reap a harvest of faithful love; break up your fallow ground: it is time to seek out Yahweh until he comes to rain saving justice down on you.” (Hosea 10:12) Hence the invitation is to reap a harvest of love.  In the Gospel passage of today, we see Jesus empowering the twelve disciples to reap the harvest of love, and proclaim the Kingdom of justice and love. “He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.” (Matthew 10: 1-7) Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, the source of division and conflicts. The Kingdom of God will be marked by the values of communion, justice and peace.  In this context the words of Saint Pope VI in Populorum Progressio (n.76) are very appropriate: “When we fight poverty and oppose the unfair conditions of the present, we are not just promoting human well-being; we are also furthering man's spiritual and moral development, and hence we are benefiting the whole human race. For peace is not simply the absence of warfare, based on a precarious balance of power; it is fashioned by efforts directed day after day toward the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God, with a more perfect form of justice among men.” Speaking of the mission of the Union of Catholic Apostolate in cooperation with all people of good will, living images of charity itself, n.16 of the General Statute identifies a number of areas for our engagement with the world, such as: protecting the values of human life and the family, working for the promotion of justice, solidarity, peace and protection of creation, encouraging inter-religious dialogue, and caring for the poor and needy.  We have innumerable examples of our commitment to the needs of the people of God in our Pallottine Family. What we do for the poor and needy will be most meritorious before God. Without genuine commitment to acts of fraternal charity, the Union will always remain just a concept without flesh and blood.  I conclude with these words of hope expressed by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti:  “I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope 'speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… Hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile.' Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope.” (n.55) Amen.   Author: Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. is the UAC President   Resources: Listen to On Mission: Pallottine Fathers and Brothers Read and learn about Fratelli Tutti Read the Ad Infinitum blog Learn about St. Vincent Pallotti Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center continues a mini-series on Evangelii Gaudium, exploring the communal and societal dimensions of evangelization. Drawing on Pope Leo's recent consistory homily and his new encyclical, Fr. Frank unpacks why the Church's mission has never been just about private belief — proclaiming the Gospel has always meant standing for human dignity, from the unborn to the elderly to the voiceless in society. The discussion traces this thread through history, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the collapse of communism under Pope St. John Paul II, showing how the Church's witness has repeatedly outlasted regimes that sought to silence it. Fr. Frank also addresses a common misconception — that faith and public life should stay separate — arguing instead that authentic evangelization always shapes society, while the real boundary is keeping the state out of the Church, not the Church out of the world. Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.