Apostolic Succession and Imperfect Shepherds
Apostolic Succession and Imperfect Shepherds
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 reminds us even Judas was among the Twelve. We must pray for our shepherds, stand firm on the faith Jesus gave 2,000 years ago, and defend the Church with truth and respect.
You might also like...
Fr. Mark reminds us that Advent is not Christmas—it is a penitential season meant to awaken our souls, sharpen our spiritual vision, and prepare us to stand before the Lord. Across the 24 Churches that make up the Catholic Church, Advent (or its equivalent) is lived with deep seriousness: 40-day fasts, vegan disciplines, weeks of total abstinence, and long seasons of preparation. Their witness challenges us in the Roman Rite to rediscover what this season truly is: a call to repentance, renewal, and readiness.
Homily for June 30th. 2026 | Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC
Jesus said we must “pray always without becoming weary” (Lk 18:1). But how can we truly pray without ceasing? The answer lies in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass — the most perfect and continuous prayer on earth. At every moment of every day, somewhere in the world, the Mass is being offered. Humanity never ceases to pray because the Church never ceases to worship.
