Prayer
My Chrism Mass Experience
After having been curious for so many years about how it is to experience a Chrism Mass, I finally got a chance to attend one.
Cristina Montes
April 14, AD 2017
2 Comments
Sacraments
Learning About the Sacraments
One good plan for Lent is to spend some minutes a day studying the faith more, or at least one aspect of it, like the
Cristina Montes
March 1, AD 2017
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New Media
A Plan for Studying the Bible
The chaplain of the pilgrimage I joined to the Holy Land repeatedly told our group that after the pilgrimage, we will never read the Gospels
Cristina Montes
January 27, AD 2017
1 Comment
Feasts
Running to Bethlehem
One of the sites included in the itinerary of the Holy Land pilgrimage I joined was the Chapel of the Angels, a Catholic church located
Cristina Montes
December 16, AD 2016
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Columnists
Not Alone: At the House of Mary Near Ephesus
I was a solo traveler in the pilgrimage I joined to the Holy Land and Turkey. Most of the others in the pilgrimage were traveling
Cristina Montes
November 30, AD 2016
2 Comments
Family
Inviting Christ and Mary to Your Wedding
One of the highlights of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that I was on recently, was witnessing married couples renew their marriage vows in
Cristina Montes
November 11, AD 2016
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Prayer
#PrayForTheWorld
It has become harder and harder to keep track of the places to #prayfor with so much violence occurring all over the world within a
Cristina Montes
July 24, AD 2016
8 Comments
Art
Our Beautiful New Church
Last year, I wrote about how excited I was for the construction of our new parish church. Now, I am very happy that the construction
Cristina Montes
June 9, AD 2016
No Comments
Books
Book Review: Saintly Youth of Modern Times by Joan Carroll Cruz
When I was growing up, stories of child- and teenager- saints made me feel uncomfortable. These spiritual prodigies loved the Mass and the Rosary, rarely
Cristina Montes
April 14, AD 2016
1 Comment
Prayer
Human Devices as Reminders of God’s Presence
Part of the battle to live Lent is to not forget that it is Lent. It is especially hard for busy Catholic professionals caught in
Cristina Montes
March 17, AD 2016
No Comments
Books
Dante’s The Divine Comedy and the Year of Mercy
Me with Dante’s Statue in Florence All of my friends know how much I rave about Dante’s The Divine Comedy, and how much I have
Cristina Montes
January 21, AD 2016
2 Comments
Life
Attending Mass While Traveling
When planning a trip, Catholics must consider when, where, and how to insert Sunday Mass into the itinerary. During these times, the duty imposed by
Cristina Montes
November 24, AD 2015
1 Comment
Columnists
Spiritual Retreat: What to Expect and Why Go on One
Perhaps you have heard Catholics mention that they have attended a spiritual retreat at one time or another. Perhaps you have, yourself, been invited to
Cristina Montes
October 29, AD 2015
1 Comment
Books
Book Review: Mysteries of Salvation History
“I have my Bible in my pocket,” said Edgardo C. De Vera, a Filipino apologist, to a group of three Protestants with whom he was
Cristina Montes
October 1, AD 2015
4 Comments
Art
Constructing Heaven on Earth
I became fascinated with old churches during my one-year stay in Europe. While I realize that Christ is no less present in a new church
Cristina Montes
September 3, AD 2015
1 Comment
Books
The Silence of Christ
(SPOILER WARNING: This article refers to climactic plot points in Shusaku Endo’s novel Silence.) I am a pessimist by temperament and as I observe a
Cristina Montes
July 16, AD 2015
2 Comments
Bioethics
On Evangelium Vitae and Star Wars
What was said about history being philosophy teaching by example can also be said of movies. Movies can illustrate philosophy (and even theology) by showing
Cristina Montes
June 18, AD 2015
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Columnists
The Potentials and Limitations of Internet Evangelization
The existence of this website attests to the Ignitum Today team’s belief in evangelizing power of the Internet. Like all other means of communication, the
Cristina Montes
May 21, AD 2015
2 Comments
Columnists
Popular Piety
One of my favorite childhood memories is that of participating in the Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is a popular local
Cristina Montes
May 6, AD 2015
2 Comments
Art
Sharing the Treasures of Humanity with the Poor
Last Thursday, March 26, 2015, the Vatican organized an exclusive tour of the Vatican museums for 150 homeless people in Rome. During the tour, the
Cristina Montes
April 5, AD 2015
2 Comments
Columnists
The Witness of Our Lives
The image of the ISIS’ beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians has provoked various reactions: sympathy, outrage, exhortations to prayer, demands for action, and symbolic displays
Cristina Montes
February 26, AD 2015
1 Comment
