Posts

Is Antinatalism Creeping into Society?

By Susan Ciancio / June 4, 2024 /
thomas malthus

Imagine a world where no human beings exist. Animals are free to roam. Plants grow uninhibited. The biggest and strongest survive. This is the ultimate goal of antinatalism. From a Christian perspective, it’s difficult to imagine the purpose of a world with no humans. We know from the book of Genesis that God did not…

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When Does a Fetus Feel Pain?

By HLI Staff and Marisa Cantu / June 6, 2024 /
Baby inside belly - AI generated image

Medical experts agree that fetal pain begins at 12 weeks gestation and may even be felt as early as eight weeks. But perhaps the best source for firsthand experience with fetal pain is an abortionist. As early as 1976, those performing abortions realized that the procedure is painful for the dying fetus. Abortionist John Szenes…

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Teen Porn Addiction

By Susan Ciancio / June 11, 2024 /
teenage girl on her phone in a coffee shop

Porn is something that many people are reluctant to talk about. It makes us uncomfortable. Sometimes we don’t want to talk about it because it’s embarrassing. Or it’s embarrassing to our children. But, with the prevalence of porn and the ease with which kids can access it, these are conversations we must have in order…

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The Creighton Model of Natural Family Planning

By Susan Ciancio / June 13, 2024 /
natural family planning chart

In the US, we value our freedom. The developers of the birth control pill capitalized on this desire. They claim the pill gives women freedom to control their bodies and their reproduction. When you tell a lie often enough, people begin to believe it. In this case, they literally swallow it. But freedom doesn’t come…

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What Is Pronatalism?

By Susan Ciancio / June 14, 2024 /

In 2014 in Fourni, Greece, not one single baby was born. The same was true in 2015. In 2012, only one child was born in the town of Lestijärvi, Finland. What is happening in these countries is not an anomaly. Countries throughout Europe are seeing population declines that their governments are trying desperately to reverse.…

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What Is Homeschooling, and Am I Qualified to Homeschool My Child?

By Susan Ciancio / June 25, 2024 /
bookshelf with classic books

The education of children is of vital importance. And it’s a parent’s first responsibility. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that parents “bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues.” Understanding…

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The Surrender Novena – A Novena for Anxiety and Times of Trouble

By Marisa Cantu / June 26, 2024 /

What is the Surrender Novena? Ever heard of the “Surrender Novena?” It’s a 9-day novena that asks Jesus to “take care of everything” and encourages us to surrender everything to Him with childlike trust. It was originally composed by Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo with words that Jesus gave him. Father Dolindo Ruotolo, who…

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Sacred Heart – How to Practice the Beautiful Devotion

By Marisa Cantu / June 26, 2024 /

While the most famous saint who promoted the devotion to the Sacred Heart is undoubtedly St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, to whom Our Lord appeared in 1673, the devotion can be observed as far back as the 2nd century with St. Justin Martyr. Devotees in the early centuries promoted the Sacred Heart devotion as the inexhaustible…

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Catholic Dating in a Secular World

By Susan Ciancio / July 23, 2024 /

One of the most exciting and rewarding things in our lives can also be one of the most intimidating and perplexing. We’re talking about dating. But not just any kind of dating. Catholic dating.  With such a wide range of people out there and so many different ideas about this subject, it can be difficult…

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Immaculate Heart of Mary Devotion

By Marisa Cantu / July 25, 2024 /
Blessed Virgin

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a timeless devotion that has been celebrated for centuries. Catholics familiar with this devotion may take it for granted, as images of Our Lady’s Heart are plentiful in Catholic art and as theologians talk extensively of Our Lady. It can easily become a commonplace devotion, for which many give…

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