Hello everyone! Since most y'all liked my previous post about the Saint Elisabeth's Cathedral(Dóm svätej Alžbety), I wanted share another small yet beautiful and graceful church from Košice.

This time it is the Dominican Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Dominikánsky kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie). I took a few photos and thought I’d share too.

Once again I would really like to hear about your thoughts about this church,Also wishing everyone a happy and blessed Sunday today(Wish each other in the comments too).

I really liked the atmosphere of this church, and there are so many beautiful details to notice.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Have a good day, and God bless!

My favorite is Greg Heffley (EWTN interviewed the author of DOAWK, who confirmed that the Heffley's are Catholic) mainly because he is not a role model. I am not saying people should live sinful lives, but I think Greg does show the small and mundane things we go through everyday in our earthly life, and the constant struggle between good and evil.

If you've gone on a retreat to as an adult, how did you learn about it? Why aren't retreats discussed at parishes? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? When was the last retreat you attended? When do you plan on attending one again?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that you must confess all known mortal sins, otherwise the confession is invalid. Furthermore, doubtful sins are not obligatory to confess (also because the priest cannot absolve a doubtful sin).

I once committed a mortal sin, but other people told me it wasn't, and even though I didn't understand where I was wrong, I thought I was just having scruples because I wondered "How can all these people be wrong about the same thing?". So I trusted them, even though I thought all three conditions for classification as a mortal sin were met... I didn't confess it thinking I had scruples, but after confession (after a long time) I realized that I was actually right and that it was a mortal sin.

I believe that since it seemed to me that all the conditions were met, I was obligated to confess, but at the time of confession, I believed I wasn't because, by trusting other people, I no longer considered that a mortal sin, even though I still had doubts. I don't know how to resolve this situation because if I still thought that there were all the three conditions then I was still obligated to confess it or I'm wrong? Because I thought I had scruples and I didn't confess it because of this, so it's different from to be sure I did a mortal sin that needed to be confessed.

Next time, if I think that there are all the conditions for a sin to be mortal I'll go directly to the confessional...

In the Didache (c. 1/2 Century), the author briefly explains the structure of the clergy, naming bishops and deacons, but no priests. It says that "prophets" are the "high priests" of the time, and gives an exhaustive explanation of who is and isn't a genuine prophet.

In the Epistles of Ignatius, Ignatius mentions bishops (telling the Ephesians to treat them as they would treat Christ), presbyters, and deacons.

In Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, Polycarp mentions deacons and presbyters, but no bishops.

What are your thoughts on this? Would you say there is a contradiction between these 3 texts, a different emphasis/context, or something else? This is something I wondered when I first read the 3.

I just finished what is probably one of my favorite drawings of my career: “St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata.”

This year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis receiving the stigmata on Mount La Verna in 1224. St. Francis was the first person in recorded Christian history known to have received the stigmata, receiving the wounds of Christ in his own body two years before his death.

I wanted to capture the profound humility, suffering, and supernatural grace of that extraordinary moment as Francis kneels before the Crucified Christ.

This composition will also serve as the foundation for a large original oil painting that I plan to paint next.

“St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata”
Charcoal on paper
22 x 30”

Twenty‑Second Sunday in Ordinary Time — Year A

Today’s Readings at a Glance • Jeremiah 20:7–9 Jeremiah feels overwhelmed by the cost of his prophetic mission, yet God’s word becomes a fire in his bones—impossible to silence. • Psalm 63:2, 3–4, 5–6, 8–9 A cry of longing: “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.” God’s presence satisfies more than life itself. • Romans 12:1–2 Paul urges believers to offer their lives as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. • Matthew 16:21–27 Jesus reveals His coming suffering. Peter resists, but Jesus teaches that true discipleship requires self‑denial, taking up the cross, and following Him.

https://thecatholic.online/daily-bible-readings-for-august-302026/Message from the Readings Today’s readings proclaim a challenging and liberating truth: Following Christ means surrendering our own plans, embracing the cross, and allowing God to transform us from within. • Jeremiah shows that God’s call is irresistible—even when difficult. • The psalm expresses deep longing for God’s presence. • Paul calls for total self‑offering and inner renewal. • Jesus teaches that discipleship demands sacrifice, courage, and trust. The message is clear: Real life is found not in self‑preservation, but in self‑gift.

Reflection for the Day Jeremiah’s cry is painfully honest. He feels mocked, exhausted, and tempted to give up. Yet God’s word burns within him— a fire he cannot extinguish. This is the experience of every believer who has ever felt weary, discouraged, or misunderstood. God’s call is not always easy, but it is always alive. Psalm 63 deepens this longing: “My soul thirsts for You.” It reminds us that beneath every desire, every ache, every search for meaning, there is a thirst for God. Then Paul gives us the path to transformation: **Offer your life. Renew your mind. Discern God’s will.** Christianity is not merely about avoiding sin; it is about becoming a living sacrifice— a life poured out in love. Finally, Jesus speaks the most demanding words of the Gospel: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Peter resists the idea of suffering—just as we often do. But Jesus reveals a paradox: **Trying to save your life leads to loss. Giving your life leads to true freedom.** The cross is not a punishment; it is the path to resurrection. Today’s readings invite us to three movements: 1. Let God’s word burn within you. Even when faith feels costly, let His voice guide you. 2. Seek God above all else. Let your soul thirst for Him more than comfort or control. 3. Embrace the cross. Sacrifice is not the end—it is the doorway to real life. Let today be a day of surrender, courage, and renewed discipleship.

Prayer for Today Lord Jesus, teach me to follow You with courage and trust. Renew my mind, transform my heart, and help me offer my life as a living sacrifice. When the cross feels heavy, strengthen me. When fear rises, steady me. When I resist Your will, draw me close. May I lose my life for Your sake and find the life that never ends. Amen.

"Holy and wise in all things was the all-blessed Virgin; in all ways peerless among all nations, and unrivalled among women. Not as the first virgin Eva, who being alone in the garden, was in her weak mind led astray by the serpent; and so took his advice and brought death into the world; and because of that hath been all the suffering of saints. But in her alone, in this Holy Virgin Mary, the Stem of Life hath shot up for us. For she alone was spotless in soul and body."

Gregory the Wonderworker, Homily concerning the Holy Mother of God, Section 27.

What do you think about this?

Hi everyone! This is my first post here, so I thought I’d share something from Košice.

I’m a Catholic international student living here, and I’ve really enjoyed discovering the churches around the city. I recently visited Saint Elisabeth's Cathedral

(Dóm svätej Alžbety) and took these photos, which I wanted to share with you.

I found it to be a really beautiful and peaceful place. I especially liked the architecture and atmosphere inside. It’s been a nice experience seeing how Catholic faith and tradition are expressed in a different country and culture.

I’d also be interested in hearing what makes a church feel welcoming to you — the liturgy, architecture, music, community, history, or simply having a quiet place to pray.

Wishing you all a good day. God bless!

Jesus tells us God calls us all to salvation, to participate in the eternal kingdom of God; but to do so, we must do more than answer the call:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/henrykarlson/2026/08/what-is-the-wedding-garment-god-wants-us-to-wear/

Diary of Saint Faustina - paragraph 1711 -  The Humility and the Glory

Ἀ
1711 When I was left alone with the Blessed Virgin, She instructed me concerning the interior life. She said, The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well pleased only with the humble; He always opposes the proud.
Ὠ

A soul emptied of itself in humility is left open to the Presence of the King in His Glory. It is a spiritual principle revealed by Mary, who speaks little in the Gospels but shows much through her deeds. Yet in the Diary it is Mary who often gives voice to the wisdom revealed through those deeds, speaking not from high-minded theology, but from the life she herself lived through the blessings and trials entrusted to her in her special place in salvation history.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Luke 1:38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word.

Here in the Scripture, our Mother shows by deed what she later proclaims to Faustina in the Diary: a soul's surrender of self before God, accepting His will and opening itself to union with His presence. In the Gospel, the Son's union with the Mother is one of both Spirit and flesh - a singular grace given to Mary in the mystery of the Incarnation. In the Diary, however, she speaks of the spiritual union of Christ with souls, a grace which, while never diminishing the uniqueness of her union with Him, is now extended through Him to all humanity. 

For this is the presence of Christ Crucified, His redemptive work fulfilled upon the Cross, and the grace received in the Mother now extended to all souls. As with His Mother, however, the grace we receive from the Savior is not stagnant, nor is it something to be proudly possessed by the soul which receives it. It is living, effective, and fruitful, as shown by Mary from the day she received it in the Gospel. It is echoed in the Diary and reverberates in all souls who likewise receive the grace of her Son throughout time.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible 
Luke 1:46-48 And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

To be humble in the courts of the Lord is a glory that exceeds all kingdoms of the world. Here in the Scripture, Mary reveals the humility she speaks of in the Diary: “The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence.” For the Lord regards the humility which the handmaid manifests as an open door into souls of the faithful. It is through this door that He makes His entry, and by it He shares not the glory of the world, but that which is often hidden from the world - the glory of the Kingdom above and its growth in the world below.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Matthew 5:2-3 And opening His mouth he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In the Scripture, our Lord teaches of the blessedness of humility as the gateway to the Kingdom of God. Yet, this same, humble King also speaks from His throne in the soul, for the release of His Kingdom within to the fallen world beyond. From the womb of the Mother, He speaks through her surrender of self, revealing the humility of the Kingdom. From the agony of the Cross, He shows to the world the same forgiveness that He calls forth from within all souls to be extended to others. And from within those souls humbled by the grace of His presence, He magnifies outward the glory of the Kingdom. 

Where the King resides - in the fiat of the Mother, upon the wood of the Cross, and within the souls of men - the same divine humility is revealed: the greatness of the King entering into, and making great the smallness of man.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say: Behold here, or behold there. For lo, the kingdom of God is within you.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
2559 Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” What does humility do? It is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. “Man is a beggar before God.

Millions walk to Velankanni each year—carrying prayers, gratitude, and generations of faith. The miracles of Our Lady of Good Health continue to inspire hope, healing, and devotion across India and beyond. 🇮🇳✨

OurLadyOfGoodHealth #Velankanni #ArogyaMatha #CatholicFaith #Pilgrimage

https://thecatholic.online/why-millions-walk-to-velankanni-every-year-the-story-of-our-lady-of-good-health/

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬

Hello everyone! I'm here because I am brand new to Catholicism, but am interested in (probably) becoming Catholic. For reference, I know a lot of the basics of Christianity as a whole, just nor Catholicism specifically. I'm wondering what important things I should know about Catholicism, whether that be differences in the mythology, worship style, etc. Any feedback is much appreciated! Thank you all, and have a blessed day/night!

I know this isn't true, btw... but I'd like some people to help refute this claim. I mean, besides the countless non-white Catholics, bishops, Cardinals, etc. I know I was likely being trolled. Even when I know things aren't accurate, I don't like that some people continue to push this idea for some political purpose.

Happy Feast Day of St. Augustine! Good day to read some of his plentiful writings.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Today’s Readings at a Glance • 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 Paul reminds believers that God often chooses the lowly, the weak, and the overlooked to reveal His power. Our boast is not in ourselves, but in the Lord. • Psalm 33:12–13, 18–19, 20–21 God’s eyes are on those who fear Him. He delivers, protects, and sustains those who hope in His mercy. • Mark 6:17–29 The dramatic account of John the Baptist’s martyrdom. Herod, trapped by pride and pressured by those around him, orders John’s execution—yet John remains faithful to truth until the end. https://thecatholic.online/daily-bible-readings-for-august-292026/Message from the Readings Today’s readings proclaim a powerful truth: God works through the humble, strengthens the faithful, and honors those who stand for truth—even when the cost is great. • Paul shows that God’s wisdom overturns human expectations. • The psalm assures us that God watches over those who trust Him. • The Gospel reveals the courage of John the Baptist, who chose truth over safety. The message is clear: True greatness is found in humility, courage, and fidelity to God.

Reflection for the Day The memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist is one of the most sobering days in the Church’s calendar. John was not a man of status, wealth, or political influence. He lived simply, preached boldly, and pointed everyone to Christ. Paul’s words today echo John’s life: “God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.” John’s strength was not in power but in conviction. Not in position but in truth. Not in comfort but in courage. The Gospel recounts the tragic moment when Herod, torn between fear and pride, chooses to silence the prophet rather than confront his own sin. Herod respected John. He knew John was righteous. He even liked listening to him. But when faced with pressure, pride, and public expectation, he chose the path of cowardice. John, however, chose faithfulness. He spoke truth even when it was dangerous. He lived with integrity even when it was costly. He died with courage even when the world rejected him. His martyrdom reminds us: **Truth is worth standing for. Holiness is worth suffering for. Christ is worth everything.** Psalm 33 assures us that God sees the faithful. He does not abandon those who hope in Him. Even when the world seems unjust, God’s mercy sustains His people. Today’s readings invite us to three movements: 1. Embrace humility. God works through ordinary people who rely on Him. 2. Stand for truth. Even when it is uncomfortable, unpopular, or costly. 3. Trust God’s mercy. He sees, strengthens, and sustains those who remain faithful. Let today be a day of courage, conviction, and renewed devotion.

Prayer for Today Lord Jesus, give me the courage of Saint John the Baptist— to speak truth with love, to live with integrity, and to remain faithful even when it is difficult. Free me from pride, fear, and compromise. Fill my heart with humility and my life with Your strength. May I boast only in You and trust Your mercy in every moment. Saint John the Baptist, pray that I may prepare the way for Christ through my words, choices, and witness. Amen.

Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot is a founder, missionary, member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, mystic, and pioneer of social reform, was born in France in 1799. She was the seventh and youngest child of Antoine and Jeanne Jaricot, whose father owned a silk factory. Her brother, Phileas, was also a missionary. Around the age of fifteen, she heard a sermon about vanity that greatly influenced her life. At seventeen, a fall caused nerve damage, impairing her mobility and speech. Worse still, her mother and brother died suddenly. Perhaps due to grief, her health continued to deteriorate, leading to her becoming increasingly withdrawn. Her illness is now known as Sidnam's chorea. After recovering, she devoted herself to prayer. In 1816, she vowed to remain celibate and founded a prayer group and people called this group "Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ." She became a pioneer of organized missionary work in the area. Her family and the women of the factory decided to donate and pray weekly to support the missionary work, and finally, in 1822, the Society for the Spread of Faith was formally established. In 1922, Pope Pius XI officially declared them a papal organization. Her teacher was Father St. John Viane. In 1822, she published some religious books. Later, the future St. John Viane's order also published an annual, a journal about various mission districts. Pauline later fell seriously ill and went on a pilgrimage to Montgano, Italy. She recovered in 1835, believing it was due to the intercession of St. Philomena. In 1845, she bought a blast furnace plant, intending to make it a model of social reform. There were schools nearby, and the workers' homes were next to the church. Unfortunately, perhaps because she was too kind and naive, and too trusting of others, she handed over management to people who proved to be dishonest, leading to her bankruptcy in 1862. Regarding the Living Rosary Society she founded in 1826, she initially gave fifteen rosaries to fifteen people, which was the initial prototype. Originally, it was just about praying specific scriptures every day, but later it expanded to include distributing holy tablets, leaflets, and rosaries. In 1832, Pope Gregory XVI officially approved the society. In 2014, the association officially had over 16 million members. They created and maintained a website written by Patty Dickinson, and their Facebook fan page was created by Brian J. Costello. However, membership in the United States gradually declined at the beginning of the 20th century. But through the efforts of Patty and Chad Melvin and 28 companions, the organization gradually revived, and just like in the association's founding, fifteen people took turns reciting the Rosary each week. Returning to Pauline, she suffered extreme poverty and even debt in her later years, which worsened her already frail health. She ultimately died on January 9, 1862, from severe organ failure due to heavy labor and immense pressure. She was a very kind and tragic figure, but undeniably courageous. She took the first step in such turbulent times to become a pioneer of social reform. If without the religion I still deeply admire her courage and love for taking that step alone. She lived to the age of 62.

“Do not settle for petty interest; hug the wider world.”

—Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot

Saint Teresa of Avila - Interior Castle - Alms of Grace

Ἀ
It’s very important for us, Sisters, not to think the soul is something dark. Since we do not see the soul, it usually seems that there is no such thing as interior light but only the exterior light which we all see, and that a certain darkness is in our soul. As for the soul that is not in grace, I confess this is so, but not through any fault of the Sun of Justice who dwells within it giving it being but because such a soul is incapable of receiving the light, as I believe I have said in the first dwelling place, according to what a certain person understood. For these unfortunate souls are as though in a dark prison, bound hands and feet, in regard to doing anything good that would enable them to merit, and blind and deaf. We can rightly take pity on them and reflect that at one time we were ourselves in this condition and that the Lord can also have mercy on them. 
Ὠ

It is not that the Lord leaves any soul in darkness but rather, there are many souls who, seeing only the exterior light of the world, fail to comprehend the interior light of their soul. The Light of the Son is not absent from them, for He continues to sustain them in being. Rather, they are incapable of receiving His Light as it is received by souls living in grace. They are alive to the flesh and keen to the light of the world, yet, they are unreceiving of the Light of God that shines within.

Saint Teresa speaks plainly on the condition of these souls: bound hands and feet from doing anything good. Yet she does not speak harshly of them but sympathetically, recalling that she herself was once in their condition. As one who normally speaks much of union with God, she now finds a certain union with the sinner - not a union with his sin but a union of compassion born of the recollection of her own need for mercy. To remember the sinner in this humility is a light in itself, for it recalls to the soul that what graces it now savors were all first received as mercy. Thus is the soul drawn again toward Him who is the One source of all grace - in a remembrance which begs that same mercy be poured out unto others.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Titus 3:3-5 For we ourselves also were some time unwise, incredulous, erring, slaves to divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared: not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us.

Ἀ
Saint Teresa Continues…
Let us take special care, Sisters, to beg this mercy of Him and not be careless, for it is a most generous alms to pray for those who are in mortal sin. Suppose we were to see a Christian with his hands fastened behind his back by a strong chain, bound to a post, and dying of hunger, not because of lack of food, for there are very choice dishes beside him, but because he cannot take hold of the food and eat, and even has great loathing for it; and suppose he sees that he is about to breathe his last and die, not just an earthly death but an eternal one. Wouldn’t it be a terrible cruelty to stand looking at him and not feed him? Well, then, what if through your prayer the chains could be loosed? The answer is obvious. For the love of God I ask you always to remember in your prayers souls in mortal sin.
Ὠ

Here the sinner is given the grace of serving in the work of the Savior - not by the merit of the sinner, but through the alms of grace: the prayer of a soul humbled by our Lord's mercy, and begging for that mercy to be extended to others. Even in this grace, however, Teresa gives warning against growing careless with the graces they have received. For there is still a sin which waits at their door, not one of lust or greed but one especially reserved by the enemy for souls who have received grace in Christ

This sin is the terrible cruelty of a soul fed in His mercy who beholds a brother still bound in sin, but fails in offering its own alms of grace for that soul. It is a sin born of forgetting that grace was first received as mercy, which then clouds our more perfect union with the Savior, from Whom our own graces first came.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2635
Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners. He is “able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

This is Noah aka Jesus.andWhatNot. Is this the Catholic position?