Why the Annunciation stands at the center of the drama of salvation
Without today, no Incarnation, cross, and resurrection; without today, no Church or sacraments; without today, no eternal life on high with God. March 25, 2026 Peter M.J. Stravinskas The Dispatch On this solemnity, which celebrates the high-water mark in the history of salvation, permit me to explore with you three Latin expressions. 1. Verbum caro factum est [The Word became flesh]. […]
“Throughout the year”: Why there is nothing ordinary about “Ordinary Time”
For roughly eight months of the year, the predominant liturgical color is green, symbolic of life and hope. January 19, 2026 Peter M.J. Stravinskas The Dispatch Editor’s note: The following homily was preached on January 18, 2026, at the Church of the Holy Innocents, New York City. Let’s check your grasp of what we were taught in kindergarten […]
On Archangels and the Greatest Miracle
Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas To ward off the assaults of Satan–both internal and external–we need to have recourse to the powerful intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. Statue of the Archangel Michael (us.fotolia.com/scaliger) A story is told of an elderly priest who had served at the motherhouse of a community of Sisters for decades. As […]
Jesus the True Feminist
Fr. Peter Stravinskas In His own time, Jesus broke many cultural barriers, including in his relationships with women. Contrary to Jewish custom and law in the first century A.D., Jesus spoke to women in public, for example to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4:1-30. In this same passage, Jesus “defiled” Himself by […]
Two Hearts Beating as One
Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D. On June 19 this year [2020], the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the following day, the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The two feasts are not situated by coincidence but by the careful plan of the Church. The heart of Jesus began beating beneath […]
Meeting Doctor Newman
An introduction to the childhood, education, conversion, thought, trials, joys, and greatness of John Henry Newman. Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas Surprise and delight were the common responses to the announcement that this past week Pope Leo XIV approved the proposal of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints that St. John Henry Cardinal Newman be named […]
Cardinal John Henry Newman on…
… a number of topics, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sacred Liturgy, reform, the papacy, and more. Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas Left: Painting of Cardinal Newman, by Jane Fortescue Seymour, circa 1876; right: Newman’s desk in the Birmingham Oratory. (Images: Wikipedia) On the Blessed Virgin Mary I recollect one saying among others of my confessor, […]
Reject False Prophets and Embrace Enlivening Moral Theology
Following Jesus Christ, and not simply following a set of rules, offers the human person the greatest measure of happiness, both now and later. Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas Editor’s note: This homily was preached for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, (Extraordinary Form), on July 27, 2025, at the Church of the Holy Innocents, New York City. […]
Do You Believe in Miracles?
FR. PETER M.J. STRAVINSKAS The dictionary offers us the following description of a miracle: “A wonderful happening that is contrary to or independent of the known laws of nature.” Now, what does Christian faith add to the picture? From the start, we must admit that the picture is far from clear. I don’t know what […]
Can Outsiders Be Insiders?
REV. PETER M. J. STRAVINSKAS What does the Catholic Church mean by its doctrine “Outside the Church There Is No Salvation”? Does this mean that non-Catholics can’t be saved? What’s the official Catholic teaching, past and present, about the Church’s mission to evangelize non-Catholics and bring them into eternal life in Christ? Slogans can be dangerous. […]