August 2026

Vol 195
No 8
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On The Cover

Paul WolfSong creates sacred art in leather at his home studio in Dayton. Read more on page 10 about how his faith has influenced his artwork and how honing his craft has positively impacted his prayer life. 

Photo by Mary Kate Fleisher

August 2026

Vol 195
No 8

From the Editors Desk

The Transcendentals and the Pursuit of True Happiness

If happiness is our destination, how do we know how to get there? Can happiness mean different things for different people?...

Columns

Finding Beauty and Wisdom in Nature

As one walks through the woods, whether in the whispers of the aspens or the rustling of the oaks, life lessons are sure to be learned....

The Sign of Marriage – Part 1

Note: This article is part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB). In Part Two of TOB, Pope St. John Paul II reflected at length on marriage....

Beauty Just Might Save the World

The Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee might be the most beautiful church in America. I’m no expert—and I certainly haven’t seen every church in the country—but it’s hard to imagine it has much competition....

The Faith They See

I had a consistent Panera habit years ago when my son, Thomas, was two. Every so often, I’d drive through with Tom in the back and order the same cookie for him and coffee for...

Venerable Kitahara Satoko, the Hero of Ants Town

Born August 22, 1929, Satoko was the daughter of an esteemed Tokyo family. Drawn to the truth of Catholicism at age 20 by the beauty of self-sacrificial love she saw embodied in the Mercedarian sisters...

The Texture of Memory

A prayer card, no matter how modest, becomes a small witness to the belief that love can be made visible through touch, effort, and attention....

The Burghers of Calais

A Guide to Visio Divina Invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten your experience as you gaze at the artwork. Notice what thoughts and emotions enter your heart and mind. Be still. Pray with the image...

Is confession the only way God can forgive sins?

Is confession the only way God can forgive sins? If not, what are the other ways?...

The Ancient Providers and Protectors of God’s Family: Part 8

I’m so old that as I was growing up I had to Google the answers to my questions. How did I even survive before AI? Now, we simply ask one of the many forms of...

What are “Truth,” “Beauty,” and “Goodness,” Anyway?

How do Catholics define and understand truth, beauty, and goodness? The better we understand these, the better we understand God and ourselves....

Series

The Creative Act in Three Stages

“To be sure, no human being has ever really seen everything that lies visibly in front of his eyes.” Josef Pieper, Only the Lover Sings Upon first reading these words about ten years ago, I...

An Ocean Full of Angels, a Novel by Peter Kreeft

An Ocean Full of Angels by Peter Kreeft | Word on Fire Luminor, 2026 | 432 pages | $34.95 Of all living writers, Peter Kreeft is the one who reminds me most of C. S....

A Hidden Life —Terrence Malick’s Cathedral on Film

In Catholic circles, some movies and series are held in such high esteem that they are essentially considered “required viewing.” Among these are Lord of the Rings, It’s A Wonderful Life, A Man for All...

Features

Young Photographer Shares Beauty through Creativity and Acts of Love

Beauty captured through the eyes of a child is especially meaningful. With a keen eye and discretion beyond her years, Camila Morales, 10, has captured many beautiful, even sacred, moments at St. Clement Parish in...

Catholic Schools: A Place to Discern Vocations

Perhaps the greatest beauty of Catholic education is the schools’ opportunity to create space for our youth to discover their definite purpose in life....

Servant of God Julia Greeley

The Saintly Seven: Black Catholics on the Path to Sainthood Servant of God Julia Greeley c. 1833-48–1918 The Secret Servant of the Sacred Heart of Jesus The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver,...

Conversations in the Spirit

In his June 19 Decree convoking Synod 2027, the Seventh Synod of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Archbishop Robert G. Casey wrote, “This Synod of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will help the people of this local...

WolfSong Leather Works

Walk into Paul and Ann WolfSong’s home-based studio in Dayton, and you’ll find leather, carving tools, and artworks in various stages of completion. What you won’t immediately see is what Paul WolfSong considers the most...

Color The Saints

St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence was born c. 225 A.D., Lawrence served as a humble deacon in Rome, which was dangerous mission territory at the time.