Homilies from the National Shrine

Fr. Patrick Lynch, MIC reflects on the meaning of miracles: wonders that have no natural cause and can only be attributed to the divine power of God. Miracles reveal the wonder of God, confirm the truth of the Gospel, and witness to the holiness and love present in the lives of His saints. He invites us to ask: Do we truly believe in the miraculous power of God? Do we believe God can make us great...

In this powerful homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains how Jesus gave His twelve Apostles authority over demons and diseases; both spiritual and physical. He sent them out invested with His own divine power to forgive sins and heal. That same authority continues today through Apostolic Succession in bishops and priests. Though leaders are imperfect and some stray from apostolic teaching, Fr. Alar...

Are we placing our trust in God, or in the idols of power, opinion, and self-reliance? In today's homily, Fr. Mark Baron, MIC, reminds us that on the danger of modern idolatry; not only in worshiping material things, but in placing our trust in power, institutions, opinions, or ourselves instead of God. Drawing from the Gospel, he explained that Jesus confronted those who manipulated religion for...

Homily for  July 5th. 2026 |  Reflecting on Jesus' words, "My yoke is easy, and my burden light," Fr. Chris Alar explains that every cross God permits is tailor-made for our salvation. The trials we face reveal who we truly are and draw us closer to Christ when we unite them to His Cross. Jesus does not promise a life without suffering, but He promises to carry it with us. Through the sacraments,...

Homily for July 4th. 2026 |  In this Independence Day homily, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC reflects on the true meaning of freedom. Freedom is not the power to do whatever we want, but the grace to choose the good, reject evil, and live under God’s law. He reminds us that our rights come from God, not government, and that true patriotism begins with love for God, family, neighbor, community, and countr...

Homily July 2nd. 2026 | In this powerful homily, Fr. Daniel Klimek answers the question: Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus is God? He explains how the New Testament reveals Christ’s divinity both explicitly and implicitly through His words, His power to forgive sins, His healings, and His unity with the Father. Jesus came to lead us to the Father, but many rejected Him because they could n...

Homily for July 1st. 2026 | What if the devil’s greatest victory is convincing the world that he doesn’t exist? In this eye-opening homily, Fr. Chris Alar uncovers the reality of spiritual warfare, revealing how Satan’s tactics have remained the same from biblical times to today: distracting souls with wealth, status, pleasure, fear, and self-interest while leading them away from God. Reflecting o...

Homily for June 30th. 2026 | Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, reminded us that true faith is rooted in complete trust in Jesus, knowing that our Heavenly Father, who created us with perfect love, never abandons us, even in the midst of life's greatest storms. He encouraged us to remember that God's presence is constant, giving us peace and strength through every trial. Reflecting on Jesus' call to "deny y...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading... In today’s homily, Fr. Chris Alar, speaks about the moral and spiritual dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how Catholics must respond with wisdom, courage, and fidelity to the truth. As Pope Leo XIII once addressed the crisis caused by the Industrial Revolution with his landmark encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, Pope...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052626.cfm In today’s homily, Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC reflected on the beautiful and joyful witness of St. Philip Neri, a saint who did not take himself too seriously because his heart was completely focused on God. St. Philip Neri would wear large shoes, put his clothes on inside out, and even shave only one side of his bea...

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, a beautiful reminder that Mary is the Mother who leads us always to her Son. Jesus came into the world through her hands, and in the same way, we are invited to entrust ourselves, our families, our country, and our future to her maternal care. In this Memorial Day homily, Fr. Chris Alar, connects this Maria...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052426-Day In today’s homily, Fr. Chris Alar, explains the meaning of Pentecost and the two moments when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit. In John 20, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, giving them grace for personal sanctification and the forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2, fifty days after the Resurrection, t...

Father David Gunter, MIC, explains that the Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper and taught throughout Scripture as the Bread of Life. He poses a challenging question about “modern Judas,” not to condemn particular people, but as a spiritual warning: those who reject or refuse to believe in Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist risk following the same path of unbelief that preced...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading... Father Chris Alar, MIC, shares the incredible story of St. Rita of Cascia, the beloved “Patron Saint of the Impossible.” From the signs surrounding her birth to her difficult marriage, deep sacrifices, miraculous roses, devotion to Christ’s Passion, and incorrupt body after death, St. Rita reveals the power of faith, perseve...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading... Father Chris Alar, MIC, reflects on John 17, the high priestly prayer of Jesus, the longest prayer of Christ on earth and one of the greatest chapters in Scripture. At the Last Supper, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and the whole Church, consecrating Himself as the Victim who will offer everything on the Cross. In t...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading... Father Mark Baron, MIC, reflects on John 17:11b-19, where Jesus prays that His disciples may be consecrated in truth. To be consecrated means to be made holy — set apart for God’s will. Through Baptism, Christ gives us a supernatural life and calls us to respond with our own “yes” to the Father, living in love, truth, and su...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051926.cfm What does it really mean to glorify God the Father? Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains that glorifying God begins with obedience — not out of fear, but with the trust of a child who knows the Father loves him. Jesus reveals this perfectly on the Cross, where His total obedience opens the way for us to return to God. ★...

In this powerful homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, reflects on the life and legacy of St. Stanislaus Papczyński, founder of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Discover how St. Stanislaus passionately believed in the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, long before it was dogma. Learn about St. Stanislaus’ tireless work as a chaplain, preacher, and confessor, his many struggles and heroi...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051426-Ascension On Ascension Thursday, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, reflected on the Church’s hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return after the Resurrection and Ascension. He emphasized that Christ remains with us daily through the Eucharist, uniting the Church as one body journeying together toward His Kingdom. He explained the...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051326.cfm On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on Our Lady’s urgent call to prayer, penance, reparation, and consecration for world peace. He explains Sister Lucia’s clarification to Pope St. John Paul II about the true way Russia was to be consecrated: Solemnly, universally, and in union with the bisho...

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051226.cfm Who Can Baptize, When, and Why? Some New Points By Fr. Chris Alar In this homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, offers a powerful teaching on Baptism: It is not just a symbol, but a saving sacrament instituted by Christ. He explains why the Catholic Church has always baptized infants, why Baptism brings the grace of the Holy...

The Hour Is Coming: When Killing in God’s Name Is Mistaken for Worship In this homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, reflects on Jesus’ warning in the Gospel: “The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God” (Jn 16:2). He explains how, throughout history, people of different religions and ideologies have wrongly justified violence, persecution, slavery, and even mur...

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050726.cfm Father Daniel Klimek, PhD, explains that the Council of Jerusalem established that faith in Christ, not painstaking adherence to the Mosaic Law, is the path to salvation, while clarifying that moral works remain essential as a fruit of that living faith. Father Daniel contrasts the secular view of God's commandments as...

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050526.cfm Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, distinguishes between the fleeting peace of the world and the enduring inner peace that Jesus gives to us through the Holy Spirit, which removes fear and discouragement from our hearts. He encourages believers to trust in God’s divine providence, noting that even failures and struggles can...

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050626.cfm Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, uses the metaphor of a vineyard to explain that the Father is the Grower, Jesus is the true Vine, and the Holy Spirit is the invisible Sap that enables believers to bear fruit. Father Anthony teaches that, just as grapes must be crushed to produce wine, Christians must embrace the “crushin...