Homilies from the National Shrine

Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm In today’s homily, Fr. Anthony reminds us of a truth Americans rarely ponder: we have never lived under a king — yet our entire faith rests on the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Unlike earthly monarchs who seek power, privilege, and protection, Jesus rules from a place no human king would ever choose: the Cross. His throne is wood, His...

Today's Mass Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112025.cfm Pilgrimage Promo: https://youtu.be/LSw5E8f5jNY Register for the Pilgrimage Here: https://marian.org/events/pilgrimage-medjugorje As we approach the end of the liturgical year, Fr. Jason Lewis reflects on Jesus’ anguished words to Jerusalem — the city that should have recognized “what makes for peace” (Lk 19:42). Like Eden and...

Today's Mass Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111925.cfm In today’s homily, Fr. Mark Baron reflects on the harrowing story from 2 Maccabees: a mother witnessing the martyrdom of her seven sons for refusing to abandon God’s law. As Fr. Mark highlights, the woman’s courage was rooted in hope—hope in God’s providence, mercy, and the promise of eternal life. This hope allowed her to en...

In today’s homily, Fr. Matt offers a sobering reminder: a nation cannot survive spiritually if its people abandon truth. As Catholics, we are called not only to believe the faith, but to study it, to guard it, and to allow it to shape our daily lives. The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17), and when we invite Him into our hearts, He strengthens us to love wha...

In today’s homily, Fr. David reminds us that the pro-life mission begins not only with defending the unborn, but with defending the truth about the human person. As the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith taught in Donum Vitae (1987), “Human life must be absolutely respected and protected from the moment of conception.” This foundational truth reveals why the Church insists that no one may...

In today’s homily, Fr. Chris invites us to confront a reality many avoid: the Church teaches that we are living in the “end times”—not because the world is ending tomorrow, but because public revelation closed with the death of the last Apostle. As the liturgical year ends, the Gospel readings turn our attention to eschatology: the destruction of the Temple, the trials that precede the end, and th...

The Book of Wisdom reminds us that creation itself reveals the divine Artist, yet humanity so often stops at the art and forgets the Artist. St. Paul echoes this in Romans 1:20, teaching that God’s truth is visible through nature, leaving us “without excuse.” Natural law is not an invention of the Church but a reflection of the Creator’s design — especially in matters of human love, complementarit...

True wisdom doesn’t come from books or clever ideas — it comes from God Himself. As Fr. Mark reminds us, divine wisdom is the light of God that orders all things in creation and directs them toward their ultimate purpose. Today’s readings from Wisdom 7:22b–8:1 and Luke 17:20–25 show us that this divine wisdom is not something distant or abstract; it’s the very presence of God’s Kingdom living with...

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Josaphat, a bishop and martyr who gave his life for the unity of the Church — a unity founded in Christ Himself, who “is our peace, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity through His flesh” (Eph 2:14). In today’s Gospel, we encounter the ten lepers who call out to Jesus from a distance. Only one returns to give thanks — a Sa...

Today, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on the true meaning of love through the example of St. Martin of Tours — a man remembered for one simple act of charity. A Roman soldier who divided his cloak to clothe a beggar, St. Martin discovered that in serving the poor, he had served Christ Himself (cf. Mt 25:40). What seems like a small moment reveals an eternal truth: love is not sentiment but sacrifice. We...

Who is Mary in God’s plan of redemption? Is she “Co-Redemptrix”? “Mediatrix of All Graces”? What does the Church actually teach about these titles — and why has there been renewed discussion about them? In this special votive Mass, Fr. Jason offers clarity on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s unique role in salvation history, following the recent doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis. The Church affirms tha...

What makes a true shepherd great? Strength in leadership, courage in the face of danger, and clarity in truth. Today, the Church celebrates Pope St. Leo the Great, whose faith shaped both the Church and the world during one of history’s darkest times. When Attila the Hun and his brutal army advanced toward Rome, Pope Leo — a frail, elderly man — went out alone to meet him. History records that Att...

Fr. Chris reminds us that today — the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed — is one of the most important days of the Church year. Though it’s not a solemnity or feast, its spiritual weight is immense. Following the glory of All Saints Day, we now turn to the souls who still await their full union with God — the holy souls in Purgatory. Together, these three days — All Hallows Eve, All Saint...

Happy All Saints Day! As Fr. Matthew reminds us, today we celebrate all the saints — not just those canonized and known to the Church, but also the hidden saints known only to God. These are the souls who lived their lives faithfully, quietly, and heroically, fulfilling the will of God in the ordinary duties of their daily lives. This feast is meant to be your feast day too. God desires every one...

In today’s Gospel, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on what it truly means to be a faithful steward of the gifts God has entrusted to us. The steward in the Gospel, much like the prodigal son, squandered what was not his. But how often do we do the same? Our time, our treasure, and our talents—none of these belong to us. Everything we possess is a gift from God, and one day, we will give an account for how...

As the world focuses on elections and politics, Fr. Mark Baron reminds us that November calls Catholics to something far deeper — the Last Things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. While political outcomes can stir hope or despair, Fr. Mark challenges us to shift our trust from men to God, who alone rules history and every soul. St. Paul writes, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of...

Fr. Chris Alar addresses the recent doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful”) released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The document discusses Marian titles such as Co-Redemptrix and Co-Mediatrix, leading many to ask whether these titles may still be used. Fr. Chris explains that this note falls under the ordinary magisterium of the Church — meaning it is author...

St. Charles Borromeo is one of the greatest reformers in Church history — not through rebellion or innovation, but through holiness, humility, and total detachment from the world. Born into nobility and privilege, he could have lived in comfort, wealth, and ease. Instead, after the death of his brother, St. Charles turned his back on worldly attachments and consecrated his life entirely to God. He...

As Fr. Chris Alar explains, the evening we now call Halloween began not as a pagan ritual, but as a sacred Christian vigil— All Hallows’ Eve , the holy night before the solemnity of All Saints’ Day . This feast, instituted in the 700s, has always been a time to honor the saints and pray for the faithful departed. The Church’s ancient practice of vigils reflected the truth that holy days begin at s...