MSI Press Blog

If you walk into a Catholic church during Lent, you’ll often see people quietly moving from station to station, pausing before small images on the wall. This ancient practice—the Stations of the Cross —is one of the most beloved Lenten devotions in the Church. But what exactly is it, and why do Catholics do it? 1. A pilgrimage without leaving your parish The Stations of the Cross are 14 moments from Jesus’ Passion , beginning with His condemnation by Pilate and ending with His burial. Early Christians in Jerusalem walked the actual path Jesus took to Calvary. Over time, as travel became impossible for most people, the Church brought the pilgrimage home. Parishes installed “stations” so the faithful could walk with Christ spiritually, even if they could never set foot in the Holy Land. It’s a pilgrimage of the heart. 2. A way of slowing down the Passion The Gospels tell the story of Good Friday with stark simplicity. The Stations invite us to linger —to notice the falls, the face...

  Why People Say “Kul ʿĀm wa‑inta Bikhair” During Ramadan If you spend any time around Arabic‑speaking communities during Ramadan, you’ll hear a warm, melodic phrase exchanged again and again: “kul ʿām wa‑inta bikhair.” It’s one of those expressions that carries more than its literal meaning. It’s a blessing, a wish, and a gesture of affection all at once. What the Phrase Literally Means In Arabic, the words break down simply: kul ʿām — “every year” wa‑inta — “and you” (or “wa‑inti” when speaking to a woman) bikhair — “in goodness,” “in well‑being,” “in a good state” Put together, it means something like: “May you be well every year.” Or, more expansively: “May each year find you in goodness, health, and peace.” It’s not tied only to Ramadan—you’ll hear it at Eid, New Year’s, and other milestones—but Ramadan gives it a special resonance. Why It Matters During Ramadan Ramadan is a month built around intention: caring for others, softening the heart, and practicing ...

Available now on pre-order:  Breakthrough Alzheimer's Care  by Mark Wilson. Use coupon code FF 25 for 25% discount. Also available on Barnes & Noble and, coming, Amazon. Book Description Pathways to Inner Peace  offers a guiding light of hope in a world too often filled with stress, disconnection, and uncertainty. Blending scientific insight, spiritual wisdom, personal stories, and practical exercises, this book helps readers cultivate peace of mind and deepen their connection—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world. Inspiring and accessible, it’s a companion for anyone seeking greater clarity, calm, and meaning in daily life. Keywords inner peace; mindfulness; emotional well-being; stress relief; spiritual growth; personal transformation; self-awareness; holistic healing; mind-body connection' guided exercises; peace of mind; connection to nature; self-discovery; practical spirituality; daily calm; clarity and purpose; mental health; resilience; inspi...

  Latin, L2 Latin was perhaps my second language. Perhaps French was. It would be difficult to say since I grew up in a monolingual English household in a French-English bilingual community. French was “around” but had not arisen to a level of awareness by the time Latin came into my life—and stayed there for a lifetime.   Fourth Grade My father never completed high school. The oldest of six living children (a set of twins died right after birth), he had to drop out of school during the Great Depression and take a job to help support the family. He always wanted to finish, and he even signed up for a correspondence high school course. With eight children, however, he had his hands full feeding, clothing, and raising them. He was still working on that correspondence course when he died of a heart attack at the age of 58. Not having a formal education never held him back from intellectual activities. Neither did his daytime job as a shoe cutter nor his all-consuming wo...