Why Do Catholics Strike Their Breast at Mass?

 

Why Do Catholics Strike Their Breast at Mass?

“Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault…”

We say these words during the Confiteor at Mass while striking our breast—but have you ever wondered why?

This small Catholic gesture has deep biblical roots. In Luke 18:13, the tax collector beats his breast and prays, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus tells us that this humble man went home justified before God.

In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we uncover what this gesture really means. It isn't about shame or believing we're unworthy of God's love. It's about having the humility to stop pointing at everyone else and look honestly at our own hearts.

When our hand touches our chest, we're saying:

“Lord, start with me.”

Show me where I have failed to love. Forgive what is sinful. Heal what is wounded. Strengthen what is weak. And make my heart more like Yours.

🎧 Join me for another episode of The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions and discover why even the smallest gestures at Mass can carry profound spiritual meaning.

Humility. Repentance. Mercy. A heart turned toward God.

#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #CatholicMass #CatholicTraditions #JesusChrist

Start With Me

 

Start With Me

It’s easy to look at the world and see everything that needs to change. But real change begins much closer to home.

Start With Me is a song about asking God to begin His work in us—in our hearts, our choices, our forgiveness, and the way we love others.

Before I ask God to change the world, I need the courage to pray:

“Lord, start with me.”

🎵 Start With Me
Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic Journey

#StartWithMe #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #ChristianMusic #Faith #Jesus #Prayer

Why Do Catholics Pray the Rosary?

 

Why Do Catholics Pray the Rosary?

For centuries, Catholics have held Rosary beads in their hands during moments of joy, fear, grief, uncertainty, and hope. But have you ever stopped to ask what the Rosary really means?

The Rosary isn't about worshiping Mary, and the beads themselves aren't magical. At its heart, the Rosary is a journey through the life of Jesus Christ—from the Annunciation and Bethlehem to Calvary, the Resurrection, and beyond.

In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore why Catholics ask Mary to pray for us, why we repeat the Hail Mary, what the mysteries mean, and how this simple prayer can quiet our hearts and draw us closer to Christ.

Sometimes when life becomes overwhelming, we don't need complicated words. We simply need something to hold onto—one bead, one prayer, one moment with Jesus at a time.

🎧 Join me for the next episode in The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions.

The goal of the Rosary isn't simply to say more prayers. It's to know Jesus more deeply.

#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #HolyRosary #DeaconPatKearns

Why Do Catholics Have Statues and Sacred Images?

 

Why Do Catholics Have Statues and Sacred Images?

“Doesn’t the Bible forbid statues?”

It’s a question Catholics hear often—and the answer reveals something beautiful about our faith.

In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we continue our series The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions by exploring why Catholic churches contain crucifixes, statues of Mary and Joseph, images of the saints, stained glass, and sacred art.

Catholics do not worship statues. Worship belongs to God alone. Sacred images are meant to do something entirely different: they point beyond themselves toward God.

Just as a photograph of someone we love helps us remember that person, sacred images remind us of Jesus, Mary, the saints, and the great story of salvation.

We'll also discover something that sometimes surprises people: while Scripture clearly condemns idolatry, God Himself instructed His people to create sacred images—including the golden cherubim placed upon the Ark of the Covenant.

And perhaps most importantly, the saints depicted in our churches remind us that holiness isn't impossible. They were ordinary human beings who allowed God's grace to do extraordinary things in their lives.

Sacred images aren't gods. They're signposts—and every good signpost points beyond itself.

Join me for this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we uncover another beautiful meaning hidden within our Catholic traditions.

#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #CatholicChurch #DeaconPatKearns

Why Do Catholics Use Incense?

 

Why Do Catholics Use Incense?

The smoke rises. The fragrance fills the church. But have you ever wondered why Catholics use incense at Mass?

In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we continue our series The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions and discover that incense isn't simply an ancient Catholic custom—it's deeply rooted in Scripture.

The Psalms compare our prayers to incense rising before God, and the Book of Revelation gives us an extraordinary glimpse of heaven where incense rises with the prayers of the saints.

We'll explore why incense is used to honor the altar, the Gospel, the priest, the people of God, and even the body of a loved one at a Catholic funeral.

Most importantly, incense gives us a visible reminder of something we cannot see:

Our prayers are rising before God.

The next time you see incense drifting toward the ceiling of a church, think of the prayer you're carrying and quietly say:

"Lord, let my prayer rise before You like incense."

Join me for this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we uncover another beautiful meaning hidden within our Catholic traditions.

#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #CatholicMass #DeaconPatKearns

Why Do Catholics Genuflect?

 

Why Do Catholics Genuflect?

We do it almost automatically. We enter the church, find our pew, bend one knee toward the floor, and sit down.

But have you ever stopped to ask why Catholics genuflect?

In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we continue our series The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions by exploring the beautiful meaning behind this simple gesture.

Genuflecting isn't just Catholic etiquette. It's a profession of faith made with our bodies.

When we bend our knee toward the tabernacle, we're acknowledging something extraordinary: Jesus Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

Our genuflection quietly says:

"Jesus, You are my Lord. You are my King. I belong to You."

The next time you enter a Catholic church, pause for just a moment. Look toward the tabernacle. Remember Who is waiting there. Then bend your knee and pray the words of Saint Thomas:

"My Lord and my God."

Join me for this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we rediscover why this small Catholic tradition expresses one of the greatest truths of our faith:

God is here.

#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #HolyEucharist #DeaconPatKearns

Why Do Catholics Light Candles?

 

Why Do Catholics Light Candles?

Have you ever walked into a Catholic church, lit a candle, whispered a prayer, and then walked away while the flame continued to burn?

That simple act carries a beautiful meaning.

In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we continue our series, The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions, by exploring why Catholics light candles.

A candle reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World. It can represent a prayer entrusted to God, remembrance of someone we love, hope in the midst of darkness, and our trust that God continues working even when we can do nothing more.

We'll also explore the powerful symbolism of the Paschal candle—lit at Easter, present at our Baptism, and standing beside us again at our funeral.

From the beginning of our Christian life to its earthly end, the message remains the same:

Christ is our light, and the darkness will never overcome Him.

Join me for this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns.

🕯️ Sometimes behind the smallest flame is a very big prayer.

#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #Prayer #DeaconPatKearns