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Featured Term (selected at random):DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE Growth in the Church's understanding of the truths of divine revelation. Also called dogmatic progress or dogmatic development, it is the gradual unfolding of the meaning of what God has revealed. Always presumed is that the substantial truth of a revealed mystery remains unchanged. What changes is the subjective grasp of the revealed truth. The source of this progressive understanding is the prayerful reflection of the faithful, notably of the Church's saints and mystics; the study and research by scholars and theologians; the practical experience of living the faith among the faithful; and...

The Core of Monasticism Is Adoration In the address pronounced today at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Pope Benedict XVI offered the whole Church a veritable Charter of Monastic Life for this generation, and for all generations to come. This is, without any doubt, one of the most luminous Pontifical teachings on the monastic vocation ever articulated. I am humbled and set ablaze by it. It deserves study "on bended knee." Thank you, Holy Father!Address of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVIVisit to Heiligenkreuz AbbeySunday, 9 September 2007Most Reverend Father Abbot,Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate,Dear Cistercian Monks of Heiligenkreuz,Dear Brothers and Sisters in...

June 4, 2006 Pentecost SundayMass during the Day Psalm: Sunday 24 Reading 1Acts 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,they were all in one place together.And suddenly there came from the skya noise like a strong driving wind,and it filled the entire house in which they were.Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,which parted and came to rest on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand began to speak in different tongues,as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.At this...

November 12, 2005Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr Psalm: Saturday 48 Reading IWis 18:14-16; 19:6-9 When peaceful stillness compassed everythingand the night in its swift course was half spent,Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal thronebounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth. For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,serving its natural laws,that your children might be preserved unharmed.The cloud overshadowed their camp;and out of what had before been...

by Valerie Schmalz Other Articles by Valerie Schmalz Bishop in the Desert: An Interview with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix 09/09/05 The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted began making headlines in Arizona almost as soon as he was installed as bishop of the Phoenix diocese on December 20, 2003, replacing Bishop Thomas O’Brien, who resigned after being arrested and later convicted for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. In This Article...How to Hit the Ground RunningStanding on PrincipleClear Teaching How to Hit the Ground Running In April 2004 Bishop Olmsted ordered nine priests and one religious brother to remove...