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 Saints, and All Souls — form what the Church calls Allhallowtide, or the “Triduum of Death.” It is not dark, but deeply merciful, because it reveals God’s justice and His love.

We all believe that becoming a saint is out of our reach... long prayers, extreme penances, and superhuman virtue. While those things are characteristic of canonized saints, surprisingly those elements are not what defines holiness. So what does? Join Fr. Chris Alar as he gives you the answer.

Hear Fr. Chris Alar explain what you need to know about the Crusades and its history with Islam. As Muslim expansion increased into Christian lands, was the Catholic Church morally able to respond? What is a just war and did the Crusades qualify?  Separate truth from fiction.