About the Author
Marisa Cantu has a master's in political science and international affairs and a bachelor's in political science and has also studied international studies and French. She has a strong background in nonprofit work, research, writing, and policy proposal and analysis. She has written multiple articles on living the Catholic faith in everyday life, Catholic family life, devotions and prayers, and Catholic teachings.
Indulgences in the Catholic Church are often misunderstood. Some may see them as an easy ticket to Heaven, an excuse to sin, or a transactional thing. But these are all incorrect. When we sin, we must confess our sins to have the guilt erased from our souls. But even confessed sins, for justice’s sake, require…
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Wearing a Scapular is a popular devotion among Catholics – but what exactly is it? And why are there so many different colors of Scapulars? History of the Scapular The name “Scapular” comes from the Latin word scapula, which refers to the shoulder blade, over which the Scapular lays. Originally, the Scapular was a large…
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The 14 Stations of the Cross is a beautiful and ancient devotion, in which the faithful can walk with Jesus on the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering. The Stations are commonly found in Catholic churches, but can also be in cemeteries, hospitals, or on mountainsides. It can be prayed at any time, privately or…
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Each year, Catholics around the world perform penances and pray during Lent – the 40 days before Easter. But every year, Catholics commonly wonder what to give up for Lent. What is Lent? Lent is the period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in the 40 days leading up to Easter. It begins with Ash Wednesday…
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Many of us have heard of the eight Beatitudes – but do we know what they really mean, and have we considered how to implement them into our daily lives? In the book of Matthew, Christ begins His Sermon on the Mount with these blessings: First Beatitude In the first Beatitude, the “poor in spirit”…
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While there are several different novenas to St. Therese, here is a shorter, more accessible version. Comment below with any answered prayers from this wonderful saint! O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little…
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Need a saint to assist in an impossible situation? Turn to St. Jude! St. Jude, brother of St. James the Less and cousin to Jesus, is the patron saint of hopeless and impossible causes. He is a powerful friend to turn to in times of difficulty, and I can attest firsthand that his help is…
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We often hear that abortion is “safe and effective” and that it is a simple surgical procedure. Some proponents of abortion even claim that it is safer than childbirth. But is this true? As medical abortion becomes more and more common, lies surrounding the so-called “safety” of abortions circulate freely. Meanwhile, the potential serious complications…
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Is it true that the anti-abortion side is “pro-life until you’re born?” After the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022, the pro-choice rhetoric seemed to escalate. Pro-lifers are accused of many things, such as not caring about women, denying “essential” healthcare through abortion access bans, or violating “reproductive rights.” One of the misperceptions…
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Before Roe v. Wade led to the widespread legalization of abortion, pro-abortion activists had a problem. The procedure was viewed with extraordinary negativity, and statistics did not back up their various arguments for legalizing abortion. Recognizing that abortion itself was unpalatable to the public, they resorted to a variety of emotional appeals to promote its…
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