About Gretchen Filz

Gretchen is a Lay Dominican with a passion for fostering an increase in Catholic faith and devotion. After receiving her M.A. in Christian Apologetics, she converted to the Catholic Faith in 2011. She lives and works in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Latest

Pray the Veni, Creator Spiritus Hymn for an Indulgence on Pentecost

Jun 04, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856), Archbishop of Mainz. This hymn is tra … Read more

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What You Didn't Know About the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Part 2

Jun 02, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

Part One of What You Didn't Know About the Sacred Heart of Jesus discussed the very rich and interesting history of the Sacred Heart devotion.This second installment will discuss i … Read more

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What You Didn't Know About the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Jun 01, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most popular Catholic devotions. Many are familiar with the story of Jesus appearing to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to request a … Read more

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St. Justin Martyr, Early Christian Apologist, Describes the Catholic Mass in 155 A.D.

May 31, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

Jesus commanded the 12 Apostles at the Last Supper to "Do this in remembrance of me." The "this" is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass . . . i.e. the Catholic Mass, also called the Div … Read more

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The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth: God's Joyful Celebration of Motherhood

May 31, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

On the final day of May, the Month of Mary, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation. I’ve always found this feast day (which is also the Second Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary) … Read more

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St. Joan of Arc: The Peasant Girl Who Led the French to Military Victory

May 29, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

May 30 is the feast day of St. Joan of Arc (1412 - 1431), patroness of soldiers, captives, prisoners, martyrs, rape victims, people ridiculed for their piety, and France—the cou … Read more

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How the Virgin Mary Began the Way of the Cross After Jesus' Ascension

May 24, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

After his resurrection, Jesus continued to appear to his Apostles multiple times (and presumably the Blessed Virgin Mary, too). Undoubtedly they were much consoled and st … Read more

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Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians, for Help in All Our Necessities

May 23, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

May 24th is the feast day of Mary, Help of Christians. This Marian title has its origin with Our Lady's intercession as Christendom fought against her enemies during the … Read more

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The Ascension of Jesus & the Holy Spirit Novena to Pentecost

May 22, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

The Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord, also called Ascension Thursday, follows 40 days after Easter Sunday and is a Holy Day of Obligation (in some locations this feast is tra … Read more

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Understanding the 7 Sacraments: The Big Picture

May 20, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

Do you know what a sacrament is? Do you know how many there are? Can you name them? Do you know what they do? These are important questions that every Catholic should be abl … Read more

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Three Sacramentals Instituted by the Blessed Virgin Mary

May 19, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

The Blessed Virgin Mary is ever-interested in our salvation, and, in virtue of her singular union with Jesus, she is our supreme advocate and intercessor among all the saints in he … Read more

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12 Plants Named for Our Lady and Their Pious Legends

May 17, 2017 by Gretchen Filz

One of the traditional ways the faithful have venerated the Virgin Mary, which became popular during Medieval times, was with a family home or parish church Mary Garden.Marian Gard … Read more

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About Gretchen Filz

Pray the Veni, Creator Spiritus Hymn for an Indulgence on Pentecost

What You Didn't Know About the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Part 2

What You Didn't Know About the Sacred Heart of Jesus

St. Justin Martyr, Early Christian Apologist, Describes the Catholic Mass in 155 A.D.

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth: God's Joyful Celebration of Motherhood

St. Joan of Arc: The Peasant Girl Who Led the French to Military Victory

How the Virgin Mary Began the Way of the Cross After Jesus' Ascension

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians, for Help in All Our Necessities

The Ascension of Jesus & the Holy Spirit Novena to Pentecost

Understanding the 7 Sacraments: The Big Picture

Three Sacramentals Instituted by the Blessed Virgin Mary

12 Plants Named for Our Lady and Their Pious Legends