To exercise true freedom, you have to be able to say yes and no to both the bad and the good, not just to what is sinful. When you fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, you are being obedient to the Church and share in the sacrifice of Christ. In fact, some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains.

In today’s homily, Fr. Chris Alar reminds us that prayer is not just something we do—it is who we are called to be. It is the lifeline between our soul and God, the “raising of one’s mind and heart to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2559). Prayer is communication, relationship, and covenant. It is how we learn to love the Lord and conform our human will to His divine will.

Have you ever heard of the Justice League? No, not the gathering of superheroes that was a fixture of Saturday morning cartoons. Nearly 500 years ago there was a real “Holy League” of three Catholic powers: Genoa, Spain, and the Papal States, who formed an alliance to defend Christian civilization in Europe against a Turkish invasion. Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains how the Rosary played a pivotal role and the establishment of the feast on Oct. 7.