Catholic Exchange

The Didache

• Archives
• Wednesday, August 9th, 2006
• Sal Ciresi

Historical research has spurred the discovery of many documents that are related to Christianity. Several writings of this kind have given precious insights into the epochs before and after the founding of the Catholic Church.
One particular writing, part of… Read More

Witness for the Papacy

• Archives
• Tuesday, April 5th, 2005
• Sal Ciresi

The earliest Fathers of the Church are labeled “Apostolic Fathers” — Christians who were immediate successors to the work of the Apostles (2 Tm 2:2; Ti 1:5). The Apostolic Fathers provide precious insights concerning first-century Catholicism. One such Father was… Read More

The Era of the Fathers

• Archives
• Thursday, November 11th, 2004
• Sal Ciresi

The entire patristic era is usually separated into three time periods. The first period is called “Origins,” spanning the apostolic age through the third century. The second period is labeled “The Great Century,” which covers the years 300 to 430.… Read More

Gospel Authenticity, Part 2

• Archives
• Monday, July 7th, 2003
• Sal Ciresi

This is the second of a two-part series. Click here for Part 1.St. Irenaeus (d. A.D. 200), the bishop of Lyons, Gaul, is one of the great apologists in Catholic history. This eminent theologian addresses Apostolic authenticity:

“Matthew also issued… Read More

Gospel Authenticity, Part 1

• Archives
• Saturday, July 5th, 2003
• Sal Ciresi

This is the first in a two-part series on the authenticity of the Gospels. Part two will appear in this space Monday. The four Gospels are essential for explaining and defending the Catholic Faith. Within the scope of apologetics, it… Read More

The Apologetics of the Savior

• Archives
• Monday, March 3rd, 2003
• Sal Ciresi

Church history testifies to many distinguished apologists who have explained and defended the Catholic Church. Names that are well known are St. Irenaeus (d. 200); St. Athanasius (d. 373); St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274); St. Robert Bellarmine (d. 1621); Ven.… Read More

Introduction to Apologetics

• Archives
• Wednesday, January 29th, 2003
• Sal Ciresi

It is not uncommon for Catholics to entertain inquiries concerning the Catholic Faith. Questions about God’s revealed religion can come from family members, fellow workers or local neighbors. The interrogator can be sincere or hostile.
In either case, we should… Read More

The Magisterium

• Archives
• Monday, December 16th, 2002
• Sal Ciresi

The following Magisterial excerpts, taken from the Church’s two official catechisms (i.e. the Roman Catechism and Catechism of the Catholic Church), will be our last installment that discusses Catholic erudition.
The Roman Catechism (1566) states: “The whole concern of doctrine… Read More

St. Augustine and Divine Training

• Archives
• Wednesday, December 11th, 2002
• Sal Ciresi

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

United with this Biblical data, the Tradition of the Catholic Church supports this acquisition of religious knowledge. Under the component of Tradition, the renowned convert St. Augustine offers several insights for divine… Read More

Forming the Catholic Intellect

• Archives
• Thursday, November 21st, 2002
• Sal Ciresi

(Ciresi serves on the faculty of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
This type of intellectual endeavor has a rich testimony in the components of sacred Scripture, Tradition and the… Read More