For many years, I rejected chastity while thinking I was truly free. However, that kept me from being able to experience love and joy in the way God designed, which I now experience today as a man who strives to live chastely. The Pursuit of Truth With same-sex attractions and transgender inclinations being part of my story, I knew I Read more…
Before we walk down this minefield, let’s set the record straight: this is also a guyissue, not just one for the ladies (and I’m not referring here to men simply “guarding their eyes”). I for one was completely enslaved to the idolatry of my physique for many years before my conversion. I lived for seeing improvement in the mirror—each night Read more…
The dating world can be tough to navigate. Scratch that– the dating world IS tough to navigate. There are some lessons which only come through experience while others can be gained through the wisdom of good friends and trusted advisors. In this blog I’d like to share a huge lesson that I have learned through my own life experience and Read more…
Have you ever felt rejected? I’m not talking about the kind of rejection you feel when you’re not invited somewhere, or if you ask someone out and they decline. I’m referring to a deeper and more persistent sense of rejection whereby you never feel desirable, good enough, or loveable. I’ve realized that this is a wound I have carried with Read more…
Fantasy (n): something that is produced by the imagination; an idea about doing something that is far removed from normal reality. Can fantasy fiction be a good thing? I mean, can pulling yourself away from reality be a good thing? Isn’t that what is so distorted about pornography? It’s not real. Studies reveal that men who look at porn find it Read more…
I’m probably not the only single Catholic who’s read the Book of Tobit and swooned over the notion that God has set someone apart for me since the beginning of creation. Obviously, when Tobiah married his wife, it was God’s will for this union to take place, as evidenced by the Archangel Raphael’s words to Tobiah: “Do not be afraid, Read more…
The emptiness enveloped me, and it was hard to breathe. It was over…In the depths of my soul I knew that I had to let go and close the door on the one who had my heart after almost 4 years. I had shared everything with him and when it was over there was nothing left. I was shell of Read more…
Recently, I have been hearing the topic of “chastity” everywhere. I have found so much encouragement through reading Jason and Crystalina Evert’s books and hearing my youth group talks about the “Feminine Genius.” However, at school (and on Instagram) it’s a whole different story. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ol’ girl gushing sesh, but it hurts me Read more…
I’ve discerned religious life, gone on dating fasts and discerned what God is calling me to. I’m 30 and single. I promise that I’m still breathing and have not spontaneously combusted. All good here. I’m just aware that God is calling me to a vocation to marriage, and now it’s time to act. Looking back on my twenties, I see Read more…
“It’s not you… it’s me.” These are well-known “famous last words” of so many relationships. Well, this is what I wish I could tell every woman I’ve ever lusted after. What I mean, dear sisters in Christ, is that you are not the problem. It’s not you. It’s not your body. It was me and the state of my heart and the attachments of my heart that drove Read more…
I’m a Catholic man in my early twenties, I pray daily, and my cross in this life is gender confusion. What even is gender confusion? Gender confusion means different things for different people, but for me, it means I don’t have a grasp or even basic understanding of my own sexuality. Some days, I’m interested in dating a girl. Some Read more…
“I stopped reading fiction when I became Catholic.” The woman talking to me was obviously serious, but I couldn’t believe my ears. What a crime! What a shame! What a sad state of affairs! But I didn’t express my sorrow. After all, we were at a conference about honoring God with your sexuality, and there was no need to ask why Read more…
Recently, I’ve found myself discouraged over the realization that many young Catholics view sex as something shameful. In fact, I have struggled with personal feelings of guilt over my longing for physical intimacy, attempting to stifle these desires despite the fact that they are natural. Of course, it is necessary to understand that pre-marital sex is always wrong, even if Read more…
Here it goes. Get out your phone. Open Google. Now, fill your search history with searches of beautiful women. Wait, what?! I don’t mean what you probably think I mean. I want you to search for women like Theresa of Calcutta, Gianna Molla, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Jane Frances de Chantal. Why? Because I want you to take a few moments to reflect Read more…
I would never marry anyone unless we’d lived together first. The first date. The first I love you. Moving in together. The proposal. The wedding. Fingers crossed for a marriage that lasts! If not, repeat step one. We seem to have things a little out of order nowadays… There’s a lot of reasons divorce rates are so high but one Read more…
Ending your daily binge on porn involves some major life changes, but quitting doesn’t have to be the drudgery you think it will be. Believe it or not, quitting will actually make you a better you! Statistics show us that porn can mold us to be, well, a-not-so-nice-guy or gal. Shockingly, only half of daily porn users say porn featuring Read more…
Ogni anno negli Stati Uniti, c’è una festa nazionale chiamata la domenica del Super Bowl. La metà delle persone che vanno ad una festa in casa d’altri la domenica del Super Bowl sono lì per vedere (in televisione) due squadre del NFL Football che si scontrano per la gloria, in concorrenza feroce. L’altra metà dei partecipanti sono lì per … Read more…
Even amongst faithful people, there is much disagreement about modesty at the gym. Having some form of physical activity is important for the well being of the human person. It motivates us, helps us form healthy habits, it gives us a sense of control over our lives. However, while we may go in with this healthy and innately good intent, Read more…
Matagal na panahon ding iniwasan ko ang chastity dahil iniisip ko na sagabal ito sa aking kalayaan. Ngunit, ito palan ang naging dahilan kung bakit hindi ko nararanasan ang kasiyahan at tuwa na itinala ng Diyos, isang bagay na naisasabuhay ko na ngayon dahil nagsisikap ako na maging chaste. Ang Paghahanap sa Katotohanan Malaking bahagi ng aking kwento ang pagkakaroon Read more…
Nobody likes rejection. When it happens, the feeling that comes stings like a jellyfish (although I’ve never been stung by a jellyfish to know). I was recently interested in a guy who I was spending a lot of one-on-one time with. I felt the need to let him know that I was interested in him, even though I knew that Read more…
You may have a picture in your head of your ideal future – a dream of the way you would like your life to go. This may involve a spouse, a dog, six children, and a white picket fence, or it may look more to you like a life spent deep in prayer and service, or even in total isolation Read more…
Nothing brings us to despair faster than a sense of meaninglessness, a lack of purpose in our lives. These feelings of worthlessness lead us to seek outlets in various types of relationships, often of a physical or emotional nature, or in partying, alcohol, or drugs, as we seek to numb the pain. We are simply hard-wired for infinite happiness; and Read more…
In all human love it must be realized that every man promises a woman, and every woman promises a man that which only God alone can give, namely, perfect happiness. – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen “I, Joey, take you Brigid, as my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in Read more…
A few years back when my son was about seven years of age he asked me, very matter-of-factly, what pornography was. Now, I suppose that shouldn’t have surprised me give my line of work, but it did. I remember responding, “what’s that?” Not because I hadn’t heard him. I was stalling. Gathering my thoughts. Praying not to mess this up. Read more…
As women we have a go-to guy, don’t we? And, girl, you can’t say you don’t love him! Sometimes there are no words to explain just how much we are in awe of these men. Yet, as much as we love these men, there may be moments we question their love, wonder whether they’d rather be spending time with someone Read more…
[The following is a high school teacher’s letter to his students on pornography] Dear Seniors, Our desire as human beings is like a bottomless pool that always seeks to be filled with more water. One aspect of this desire is the longing to be united to the body of another human being. We get excited when we see a beautiful person Read more…
Sometimes I think God teaches us to obey Him with the small stuff, so He can prepare us to obey Him with the big stuff. Obeying can be tough. As humans, we often get caught up on what we want out of life. What can God give me? Why can’t I have just this one thing? Our flesh makes it Read more…
To Wait. This verb seems to have been misplaced from the modern-day vocabulary. The iPhones, the endless stream of social media, the Google searches… everything is at our fingertips. We seek entertainment in each moment and we want gratification right at the onset of any desire. As soon as we are hungry, we look for the nearest fast food restaurant Read more…
It is an unfortunate reality that we live in a society that sexualizes everything and glorifies instant gratification. The upside, however, is that many young, single Catholics continue to actively strive for chastity and understand why it is necessary. We have heard so many amazing accounts of what it means to give and receive authentic love, and we are always able to Read more…
I am blessed to be able to go to Adoration every day during my lunch break, as my office is right up the street from my church. I got into this habit last summer, when I was making some pretty significant changes in my life and often felt overwhelmed by these developments. My church, along with the Blessed Sacrament, has Read more…
Every day we make choices. Some are as small as deciding what shoes to wear or what we will eat for breakfast. Others require more thought, more prayer. How do I choose to spend my time on this earth? Who will I choose to spend my life with? As of late and with the newness of becoming a bride to Read more…
It’s no secret that chastity is HARD. Especially if you have been in love… or are currently letting your heart take flight into the unknown of falling in love, which is terrifying but also pretty exhilarating at the same time. When your heart is being drawn to that person it may “feel” almost impossible to pull on the reigns of Read more…
I remember reading a quote in my early teen years that moved me back then and resonates with me, today: “If you love someone, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.” I don’t know how much truth applies to this saying, but in my own life, I have experienced making the tough Read more…
A few nights ago, I was curled up on the couch scrolling through Pinterest as my mom watched reruns of The Pacific, a TV series that follows the lives of soldiers who fought in World War II. In this episode, one of the soldiers, dressed in uniform, walked over to the house next door and proceeded to ask his love interest on Read more…
“Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing.” – C.S. Lewis Watching my parents’ marriage end in divorce has made me doubt love. I’ve wondered “does love last?” and “can it last for me?” With these fears, I became timid, safe, and distant in my relationships. Beneath those questions is another question: what is love? Our Read more…
Few things light up the comments section like a post on modesty. Reactions range from, “Teaching modesty is body shaming and promotes rape culture!” to “Muumuus and turtlenecks for everyone!” Usually, when people are passionate and polarized about a topic it probably means it is an important one. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all agree on some reasonable Read more…
Pornography use has become an epidemic. The governors of Utah and Tennessee have recently declared pornography a, “public health crisis.” The declaration that was passed in each of the states had bipartisan support (it had unanimous support in the House of Representatives in Tennessee). But why is it a problem under the definition of a “health crisis?” The short answer Read more…
Looking back, I imagine the majority of heartache I experienced in my early twenties could have been avoided had I paid attention to the three words: Talk is cheap. More often than not, we figure out the character of a person by acknowledging their actions over their words. A good friend is one who shows up when we need them Read more…
I recently had the gift of reconnecting with a college roommate I hadn’t seen in many years. She’s amazing. She is a Psychologist who is smart, fun, solid, adventurous, joyful… and single. Over lunch, she said something that has resonated with me in the months afterwards. My friend explained, “I thought I would go to college, meet someone, be married Read more…
Same-sex attractions are a part of my story yet today I live a joyful and fulfilling life within the Catholic Church, pursuing holiness and virtue. How did I get here? I began asking questions, and here’s what I found: 1. God loves us, no matter what attractions or inclinations we experience. 2. We shouldn’t feel shame for experiencing attractions or inclinations we didn’t Read more…
Swimsuit shopping. I shudder a little at the implications brought on by that short, heart wrenching, dessert guilt-inducing phrase. It is June, so if you are a female older than seven years old, you are probably feeling the pressure to pick out that suit that will have you looking your best as you lounge poolside or hit up the beach Read more…
I would like to propose that us modern-day women have made a grievous mistake. You see, we have come to believe that some of the negative ramifications of the feminist movement are in fact how things ought to be. We think that if a woman is to be respected by men, she must prove to them her strength. She Read more…
Dress Like You Mean It As I browsed through the clothing racks of my favorite store the other day, my thoughts were something similar to “so if you pair the high waisted shorts with a crop top, the shirt won’t be short anymore… But then the shorts are too short too… so either way my entire legs and potentially my stomach Read more…
I lead a weekly Bible study with a group of high school young men. Prom was approaching and the guys wanted advice. One of them asked me, “how far is too far?” I have known these guys for over three years, and I knew this young man’s heart. He did not have a lustful intention, but he didn’t know how Read more…
From my earliest memories, I wished I was born a girl. I loved their clothes, how they played gently, and how they seemed to be treated “softer” than boys. Those were my perceptions, and as a sensitive kid, my heart desired that deeply. I also saw boys terrorizing younger kids on the playground and at daycare (both of which were Read more…
“But I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” What do you do when you like someone, but don’t want to “jeopardize” your friendship? Well, the answer is not: just hang out, flirt for the next year, and develop a strong emotional attachment along the way, with no commitment from either side—only to lead to jealousy and confusion when a third Read more…
Olympic star Aly Raisman said she knew she would face controversy when she decided to appear in this year’s issue of the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.” Defending her decision, Aly stated, “…I love my body… women do not have to be modest in order to be respected.” In reading this, I wrestled with her statement. As St. John Paul II Read more…
“To be honest, when I got down on one knee to propose to you I didn’t feel the butterflies that Disney movies train you to expect or feel the crazy passionate ‘I must have this girl’ feeling that Hollywood shows. Instead, it was as if I felt the ‘me’ that I had been up until that moment—the single and somewhat Read more…
At some point, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” I have. I’ve gotten it from a friend justifying a spontaneous hook up with some guy she barely knew at a party. A couple of times, I’ve heard it from people who made a habit of leading others on, just for the attention. Once, tragically, Read more…
A couple of years ago I was sitting on a couch, listening to few of my friends discuss the idea of marriage. One of the pair let out a sigh and said, “Is loving only one person for the rest of your life even possible? It just sounds so complicated.” As far I was concerned, that was my cue to rain Read more…
If chivalry isn’t already dead, then at the very least, it seems to have passed its expiration date. Gone are the days of the chivalrous knight in his shining armor – a knight who would slay any number of dragons to rescue a beautiful princess. A knights who would pull out a throne for the princess to sit upon during the Read more…
Breaking up is hard to do. Whether it was a mutual decision or a heart-wrencher, the Lord wants to be the object of your rebound. Here are five messages for prayer to allow the Lord to take an active role in your healing. Comfort– Psalm 34:18-20– The righteous cry out, the Lord hears and he rescues them from all their Read more…
In the summer of 2014 I walked the northern route of the Camino de Santiago, starting at the Southwestern most point of France, and finishing some thirty days later in Santiago, the burial place of the Apostle St. James. Since returning, many have asked, “So, what was it like?” and I suppose the question is simple enough, yet it has Read more…
As a lonely and rejected little boy, my first discovery of gay pornography felt like a miracle. In a sense, after years of being either ignored or mercilessly teased by other boys, and thus adoring and hating them from afar, when I saw the men in pornography, I thought I had finally found acceptance. Although I could never admit it, Read more…
Is love something ready-made, automated—so that all we have to do is push “play”? Does this guy or that girl always have my best interests at heart? I think we know the answers to these questions—for finding true love is often a complicated and messy process. The title of this blog takes its cue from John Paul II who used Read more…
My Dear Daughter, From the moment the thought of you entered my mind, I have been wrapped around your little finger. I have loved you as only a father can love his little girl. I can still see that bright eyed look in your eyes the day you were born—taking in the light and sound and excitement of this big Read more…
As a college student, I gradually became used to hearing that most people think of sex as something you do on a third date. I’ve even seen contraception given out as if they were candy by some student associations. It isn’t news to anyone that university campus culture promotes the thinking of sex as something exploratory and recreational; however, I Read more…
Years ago I attended a high school summer camp retreat, and one night, one of our adult leaders corralled all of us girls into a room, leaving all of the boys on the other side of a closed door. What did this top secret, girls-only discussion consist of? A single woman telling a bunch of girls, “Don’t settle.” In telling Read more…
An apology on behalf of all women. Dear Brothers, I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. While I don’t know you personally, I want to write this letter to you on behalf of all women. I hope and pray that it will speak truth in your life and call you to experience mercy in a new way, and a deeper relationship with Read more…
Store aisles are overstocked with giant teddy bears, exquisite rose bouquets, and LOTS of chocolate. Valentine’s Day is here and our consumerist culture wants you to know it! Single or not, there are things you can do this Valentine’s Day for the Valentine that truly matters—the one that will stand, sit, and lay by your side until death brings you apart. Read more…
I can be a bit sassy with God. Like, “Hey Big Man I know you have a plan and I should probably be patient but if you could just send me a nice, tall, Catholic man right about now that would be great. I’m waiting…” My favorite thing with anytime I sass Him is He tends to deliver me a Read more…
One of the most challenging and equally liberating teachings of the Catholic Church is chastity. It is undoubtedly a virtue that is radically counter cultural and one that demands great self-mastery and sacrifice. It demands a right ordered love of God and consequently an authentic love for others. My experience of chastity prior to and in married life has been less Read more…
Recently, a new wave has taken hold of my social media. Many of my well-intentioned friends have emphatically sympathized over the millions of lives lost to abortion while seamlessly arguing that these numbers would decrease if we increased education and access to birth control. They’ve argued that women wouldn’t have to abort their babies if they never got pregnant in Read more…
I’ve often heard, “In order to “help” my sisters, I should support them in all of their Reproductive Right endeavors.” But what happens when giving a woman access to all of these things actually impedes her freedom? Let me explain by way of an analogy. Let’s say I buy you a car for your birthday, but I don’ t teach Read more…
She was the best catch I ever made—I don’t know how I got her, the seasoned fisherman said beaming at his beautiful bride of over 50 years. My grandparent’s love never ceases to amaze me. 50 years of marriage seems next to impossible in our world today and because of this our trust in lasting love has dwindled—taking with it Read more…
One often hears from young people something like the following: “You’re only young once—now is the time for me get this out of my system and live it up; I’ll eventually settle down later.” It’s easy to fall into this, assuming that my actions in the present have virtually no bearing on who I will become in the future. But Read more…
Estilingues Lembra da história de Davi e Golias? Aquela que um pequeno pastor proclama uma vitória inesperada sobre um guerreiro gigante em uma batalha de tudo ou nada com apenas um estilingue? Quando você pensa nisso, talvez veja Davi entrando na batalha com apenas seu estilingue e uma oração, mas não foi bem assim. Sim, a mão de Deus certamente Read more…
Em um comentário sobre um post que escrevi sobre castidade, um leitor escreveu uma nota desconcertante: “Não sou virgem, então acho que não posso praticar a castidade”. O comentário doeu em meu coração. A pessoa que o escreveu dispensou a castidade como algo irrelevante em resposta à sua experiência sexual – sinal de uma concepção equivocada de castidade que não Read more…
It’s been said, “If I want to know who you are, show me your friends.” In order to steadfastly pursue the good—whether in sports, academics, or relationships—we’ll need the support of solid friends. So, how can we form friendships that last? Aristotle outlines three types of friendship: (1) friendship of pleasure; (2) friendship of utility; and (3) virtuous friendship. The Read more…
I’ve lost count of how many men and women have asked me how to break free from porn. Usually, I offer what advice I can, and then recommend they view the videos, blogs, and articles on our site, here. However, because I’ve spent so much time telling people how to stop looking at porn, I figured it was time to Read more…
The devil has a way of making a sin look like no big deal when you are thinking of committing it, but too big of a deal for God to forgive after you’ve done it. We’ve all experienced the endless voices of harsh thoughts after we’ve made mistakes. So, how do we know which voices are from God? If you’ve Read more…
Sou abençoada por poder ir à Adoração todos os dias durante meu horário de almoço, já que meu escritório fica na rua da minha igreja. Iniciei esse hábito no verão passado, quando eu estava fazendo algumas mudanças bastante significativas na minha vida e muitas vezes sentia-me dominada por esses desenvolvimentos. Minha igreja, juntamente com o Santíssimo Sacramento, foi minha fuga Read more…
Today during my hour of cardio at the YMCA I couldn’t help but laugh at the TV screen as it played a new episode of The Bachelorette. Viewers get a sneak peak of a glamorous dating life. A gorgeous woman has the opportunity to date 15 attractive, successful men all at once! And she gets to kiss them too—every girl’s dream Read more…
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16) When I first read this passage I was always unsure of why Christ is so direct with his detest for lukewarm Read more…
As an introvert, people-watching is one of my favorite activities. I love to go to my favorite coffee shop down the street from my office and watch the flutter of caffeinated people around me. I was sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops a few weeks back when I saw something so rare, I couldn’t help but stare and Read more…
I sat on a paper-covered table in the examination room of the medical office. I listened halfheartedly—instead, focusing on my newborn son who lay nearby—as the nurse chatted while she filled out paperwork. All of a sudden, the nurse asked a question which broke through my happy mood. “What kind of birth control are you planning to use?” Such a Read more…
When we got married, I knew a few “absolutes.” Tommy was going to snore (I’d heard him do so during naps on the couch), we would probably fight on the honeymoon, there’d be a bit of a learning curve when it came to living together, and we needed to figure out NFP early if we wanted to avoid a February Read more…
In a recent blog post, Tommy McGrady wrote that “marriage isn’t just hard. It’s sneaky hard.” But a friend of mine read it, and then she responded. “When you learn to communicate, love your spouse more than yourself, learn to compromise and accept that not everything in life is going to be the way you want, marriage is not hard at all,” she wrote.So Read more…
As a Catholic, I believe that dating is for discerning marriage — for discovering the truth about each other. For deciding whether to choose to love each other until death. Sometimes, dating is fun. You can go to aquariums together and stuff. There are otters at aquariums. Need I say more? Dating is good. If you pay attention, you learn about God and each Read more…
Nunca le he pegado en la cara a una persona, pero hay momentos cuando quisiera ignorar la virtud del domino propio y dejar los puños volar. Unos meses antes de mi boda alguien me pregunto (conociendo que era una mujer de 29 años y virgen por decisión propia) “¿Entonces tu prometido es virgen también?” Le respondí, “No.” Y su respuesta Read more…
Tears dropped from her cheeks. I had been seeing this young lady for some time for depression. As the session turned to discussion of her social affairs, she acknowledged that she had given herself to many partners with little romantic interest. She had experienced a past victimization, distant parents, and academic challenges that never had been fully resolved. As we Read more…
I have found that chastity doesn’t work for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always tried and wanted to be a good guy. In high school I wrestled with disordered sexual desires; I didn’t want them, but they were a challenge for me. In my late teens, I heard a great chastity talk and wanted to put it more into Read more…
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis offers time-tested counsel on how to begin—and persevere—in the virtue of chastity. First, he says we must really want to grow in this virtue. He notes how a famous Christian—when looking back at his life—realized that his prayer for chastity was really saying something like: “Oh Lord, make me chaste. But please don’t do it Read more…
Hoje em dia, quando as pessoas pensam de dança, eles podem assumir que a prática é incompatível com a virtude da castidade. Enquanto isso é obviamente verdadeiro de algumas formas de dança, às vezes vejo artigos sobre a utilidade de danças em casal como swing ou valsa para o desenvolvimento de castidade. Quando leio esses artigos normalmente estou desapontado, não Read more…
O amor é algo já pronto, automático, algo que temos apenas que dar o play? Será que um rapaz ou uma garota sempre tem as melhores intenções no coração? Acho que sabemos a resposta para essas questões – encontrar um amor autêntico é normalmente um processo bagunçado e complicado. O título deste blog é baseado em São João Paulo II, Read more…
Perdi a conta de quantos homens e mulheres me perguntaram como se libertar da pornografia. Normalmente, ofereço os conselhos que posso, e então recomendo que vejam os meus vídeos, blogs, e artigos do nosso site. Contudo, por ter passado tanto tempo dizendo às pessoas como parar de consumir pornografia, percebi que era a hora de fazer um post oferecendo todas Read more…
I was eating dinner with a lovely friend of mine the other night and the topic of future spouses came up somewhere in the course of the conversation. Both of us expressed the confusion we feel about the “perfect guy.” Some people say that there is no such thing as Mr. Perfect, since we are all flawed, while others will Read more…
People typically think of sloth as simply “laziness,” a lack of a serious work ethic. But the Christian tradition has always seen something more here: St. Thomas Aquinas, for example, defined sloth as “sorrow at the difficulty of a spiritual good.” Consider New Year’s Resolutions—how long do they last? We start off with great enthusiasm—and eventually the mountain starts to Read more…
I’ve been reading a lot about gender lately, and more often than not, I find arguments supporting the person’s choice to identify as the “gender” they personally feel they are. I think we need to be careful about what we are saying when it comes to “gender” today. We walk a very fine line when we say that by allowing Read more…
Slingshots Remember the story of David and Goliath? The one where a small shepherd boy claims an unlikely victory over a warrior giant in an all or nothing battle with nothing but a slingshot? When you imagine it perhaps you picture David going into battle with only his slingshot and a prayer, but it wasn’t quite like that. Yes, God’s Read more…
Dating: A Friend You Make-Out With? Recently I was on a flight with a college senior and we began conversing about casual dating, which she defined as “a friend who you make-out with.” As we chatted about it more she admitted, “It doesn’t feel quite right.” So I asked her straight up if it’s a situation where you basically use Read more…
The pursuit of love: the flowers, the candlelight dinners, the stargazing, the lazy movie nights, the nights out on the town…it’s all so exciting and new! You skim the surface of the mystery of this stranger—excited by what you see, and wanting to know more. You think about each other when you are apart, and you come up with countless Read more…
Blank Space, Baby In high school, I was that girl who was constantly on the look out for a guy to fill her blank space. And as soon as I met someone who showed some mutual interest, I’d jump right in. Within a few weeks it was usually official, or at least, it looked that way. He was perfect. He Read more…
Oh reality TV shows. I’m a sucker for them… along with most of my generation. A few weeks ago, I found myself doing what many girls my age do on Monday nights: watching the Bachelorette. I’ve only watched a handful of episodes, but everyone seems to be talking about it…why not check it out? Lucky for me, I tuned into Read more…
En mi vida he estado en relaciones románticas, pero ya llevo un tiempo siendo soltera. Recientemente, mi amiga que contó acerca de un increíble chico católico con el que estaba cautivada. Imagínate…se conocieron el día de San Valentín!?! (¿En serio? Pensé que eso solo pasaba en las películas) Me alegré por ella, pero a veces cuando escucho historias de parejas Read more…
I am at the stage in life where many of my friends are preparing to get married. As they plan their wedding and book the honeymoon tickets, there are three words that often surface as they dive deep into their marriage prep: Natural Family Planning (NFP). The most basic explanation for NFP is that it’s a term used for the process of Read more…
I am often approached by young people who begin our conversation with the phrase, “So I have this friend…” Many people want to reach out to others but are afraid of being labeled as “judgy” or a “shamer.” We want to be nice, helpful and convicted as Catholics—and sometimes it’s confusing to figure out how all those can fit together. Read more…
Do you ever long for the day where people won’t cram you into their own narrative—defining who you should be without ever getting to actually know you? I long for this day—deeply. I am sure we have all felt this way at times. I was the boy who was different. I played with the girls, longed to wear girls’ clothes, Read more…
Sometimes I like to listen to the Top Songs on Spotify to find my new jam. And one day, lo and behold, a smooth song came on and I began to sway a bit at my desk, getting excited. Could this be it? Then I looked down. Oh no. Oh, please no. It’s Justin Bieber. As I reached to change Read more…
St. Philomena was only 13 years old when she defied and was killed by the most powerful man in the world, Roman Emperor Diocletian. What could be so offensive about a gentle, meek teenage princess? St. Philomena simply refused to break her vow of virginity to the Lord and marry Diocletian. Because of her stubborn faith, she was imprisoned, tortured, Read more…
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