4 Saints’ 4 rules for sharing the faith
Every saint shared the Gospel. Here are specific principles from four of them we need to apply in our own lives.
Tom Hoopes
Tom Hoopes, author of The Rosary of Saint John Paul II and host of The Extraordinary Story, is writer in residence at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Latest articles by Tom Hoopes
Mary is patroness of library dedicated by Justice Barrett
Just like Our Lady told Juan Diego, ‘You are the one I have chosen for this task,’ I tell every Benedictine student that Our Lady has chosen them for a special mission, to Transform Culture in America.
Goodness, truth, and beauty: Accept no substitutes
I warn my students that if they try to slake their insatiable thirst with cheap substitutes, they will remain restless, and never find true peace.
Catechist thanks God (and AI) as catchy songs go viral
“I was trying to make some catchy jingles for a client when I wondered if I could create a song that would teach the faith — and do some apologetics — with these tools.”
Choosing humanity over technology is easier said than done
We need to risk human unpleasantness rather than retreat to mechanized simplicity. Perhaps the first step is acknowledging that it often isn't very easy.
On British country lanes, Our Lady led me to her Son
She was a mother who saw me at my worst, but never gave up on me, watched the convoluted plans I made and, with the help of her partner, the Holy Spirit, seamlessly changed my destination to his.
Preferring darkness, I found light
When I began college, I would have told you that the truth was lies — and I preferred the darkness.
Guadalupe and the Pyramid of the Sun unmasked the glamor of evil
I had never smoked anything before in my life. It made my head spin. The sun was just starting to set as we climbed back down the long stairway toward the Avenue of the Dead ...
Finding freedom in a burnt Cadillac
A kid spending the night at his older brother's first apartment had to grapple with some hard lessons -- but they turned out to be the start of something much better.
5 Lessons for our time from Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’
The film is Nolan’s adaptation of the ancient epic poem and it is an inspiring, important, and gripping movie, perfect for our cultural moment.
Seth Rogen is right, but kids are still worth it
He has avoided experiences I hated, and there are a lot of things he got right in his statements. Still the whole argument is a great sadness.
250 Reasons Catholics should celebrate America’s 250th
In the midst of a complicated history and a complicated present, there is so much to celebrate!
Paul (and Jesus) on the death obsession
Today’s young people indulge in a “pop culture of death.” But they are not unique in this. Why the fascination throughout history and today?
4 Reasons America’s future depends on Catholics
St. John Paul II said American Catholics should turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe to lead us.
Without the Incredible Hulk, I wouldn’t be Catholic
I had no religious faith, no real direction in life, and generally no clue whatsoever. I was a slob. Friendship formed over a TV series was the start of a change.
I was surprised when I learned about the Real Presence
I made it through religious education as a kid without ever learning what the Church believes. Thankfully, in college, friends set me straight.
5 Hidden lessons in the 5 Joyful Mysteries
God is infinite, so even if we've prayed the Rosary a million times, we are still bound to find new things, perhaps not every day, but little by little.
7 Ways the Spirit can help if you’re discouraged or burnt out
If Christianity doesn’t feel like it should, check in with the Holy Spirit. His titles can help you get started.
Graduates honor a student a week after his death
Alex Lynch died of cancer a week before he graduated, but he was visible at Benedictine's commencement in the yellow ribbons most wore to graduation.
7 Mothers who struggle and triumph in Catholic novels
Grace doesn’t make mothers perfect; it transforms their efforts despite, and even through, their imperfections.