On October 8th of this year, I lost my father (Walter Eugene Cameron) to lung cancer. It was the second great grief of my life, the first being the death of my brother, Matthew, to lung cancer four years ago. Granted, I have felt grief at other deaths both before Matthew’s passing, and since then, […]
Lent: Why Fasting Matters
“Don’t give up chocolate for Lent. Do something else, like pray more, or do something positive.” How many of us have heard this — even from our pastors and trusted Catholic sources? The tradition of the Catholic Church is that there are three special “works” that we should engage in during Lent: prayer, fasting, and […]
Divine Mercy Sunday in a time of Plague
One of the very special graces that the Lord Jesus promised to St. Faustina for the “Feast of Mercy” is a “complete remission of sins and punishments” for those who will receive Holy Communion in the state of grace (several passages mention going to Confession in preparation for this Holy Communion) with “complete trust” in […]
Spiritual Works of Mercy: To Pray for the Living and the Dead
The final Spiritual Work of Mercy is something that every Christian can certainly do, but do we consciously and intentionally “Pray for the Living and the Dead?” In God’s family, the Church, there are three distinct groups: The Church Militant on Earth, the Church Suffering in Purgatory, and the Church Triumphant in Heaven. The third […]
Corporal Works of Mercy: To Bury the Dead
In the Old Testament Book of Tobit, the virtuous Tobit interrupts his dinner to go out to bury one of his Jewish countrymen who had been murdered, and his body had been left in the street. This act of burying the dead, especially those who have no one who will bury them, is a prime […]
Spiritual Works of Mercy: Forgive All Injuries
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” These powerful words from our Savior should make every Christian think twice: Do I forgive injuries? Have I forgiven those who have hurt or offended me or one of my loved ones? Or do I hold on to old hatreds and grudges? The sixth Spiritual […]
Corporal Works of Mercy: Visit the Sick
One of the very important Corporal Works of Mercy is to Visit the Sick. How many people are suffering from various illnesses, from cancer, or from accidents today! Many people who are ill suffer from loneliness as well. There are many elderly persons whose families live far away from them. Others have family in the […]
Spiritual Works of Mercy: Comfort the Sorrowful
One of the Spiritual Works of Mercy is to “Comfort the Sorrowful.” There are a tremendous number of people who suffer from sorrow and grief in our world today, so there is a tremendous need for Christians to practice this work of mercy. First of all, what are some examples of people in sorrow today? […]
Corporal Works of Mercy: Visit the Imprisoned
The fifth Corporal Work of Mercy is “Visit the Imprisoned.” This work of mercy is important, and often neglected. When I was in college, I had the privilege of being involved in the Legion of Mary, a Catholic lay apostolate that began in Ireland, that involves a commitment of two hours of apostolic work done […]
Spiritual Works of Mercy: To Bear Wrongs Patiently
One of the Works of Mercy that can be the hardest to live, but is absolutely necessary for all of us is to “Bear Wrongs Patiently.” There are many times in our lives in which people mistreat us, or speak to us in ways that might hurt our feelings. And so often … we just […]