Sermons and Conferences

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. It is traditional when using the Spiritual Exercises to close with a meditation on the love of God. Saint Ignatius calls this meditation “A Contemplation for Obtaining Love” (Contemplatio ad Amorem). We shall go over what Saint Ignatius says about love: what it means, how it is practiced, and […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. We read from the Gospel of Matthew Christ’s formula for following Him. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The cross is not only a symbol of Christianity; it is, in a way, Christianity itself, for it was on the cross that mankind, including our own, were atoned; it is from the cross that all the graces we receive finally derive; and it is or should be in […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Let us reflect for a few minutes on the meaning call Him “Lamb of God.” Although the name was first used by John the Baptist, referring to the Savior, its roots are centuries before Christ in Isaiah, who foretold that the Messiah would be the Suffering Servant and the […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. As we know, there are two ways we can pray on the great mysteries of our faith, and surely Christ’s birth is a great mystery. We can either reflect on the mystery, think about it, analyze it and discursively meditate on the meaning of what God revealed, where the […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. It is remarkable that the day after Christmas we should be celebrating the feast of a martyr. The custom goes back to the very early Church. It seems that in her wisdom, the Church wanted to make sure that we associated Christ with martyrdom. There are many lessons that […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. We commonly and correctly identify religious life with the pronouncement of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. That is true but not quite adequate. We know, for example, that there are in the Church people living what is called a consecrated life as members of secular institutes. They […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. When our Savior first met Simon, He told him, “You are Simon son of John.” This gives us the foundation for the Catholic Church on earth, because it is in Peter that the Church has her soundness, her security, and her assurance of possessing the Word of God. Certainly […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. I doubt if there is any single disposition of soul that we need more, especially in our day, than confidence. The reason is not far to seek, seeing there is so much to discourage even the most hardy souls, especially people who are seriously trying to serve God. “Lord,” […]