The Birth of Evil arc in Genndy Tartakovsky’s Samurai Jack explores the origins of the series’ main villain, Aku. Beneath its mythic storytelling lies a rich exploration of the nature of evil and the mystery of salvation by grace. This treatise examines the Biblical motifs embedded within the arc, presenting it as a powerful allegory of the Christian Kerygma. It further argues that the narrative reconciles the often-perceived tension between faith and works, offering a profound vision of human justification as illustrated through the figure of Samurai Jack’s father, The Emperor, and his wielding of the divinely-forged katana of Righteousness in his battle against Aku—a symbol of humanity’s cooperation with Divine grace in the fight against Evil.

The pilgrimage through the Sacred Triduum into the jubilant Easter Octave is not merely a reminiscence of Christ’s Passion and resurrection but an invitation to live it. A few Saints have victoriously embodied this mystery – including St Edith Stein – profoundly known as St Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Her life offers a unique lens to contemplate the Paschal Mystery – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – as we process through Holy week into the Triduum and Octave of Easter that culminates in Divine Mercy Sunday.

Holy Week is a time of deep reflection. Reflecting on the texts of some of the Lenten chant hymns points to self-reflection, to penitence, to spiritual refuge – and as Christ dies on the Cross, our minds and hearts turn to our own death. How do we fare? Are our souls ready?

In the spirit of Pope Francis’ encyclicals Dilexit Nos, C’est la Confiance and Laudato Si’, this article offers a faith-inspired vision for healthcare promotion and on how to advocate for health and care systems that are rivers of healing and trustful wells of God’s mercy and love.

Dr June Joseph is a global health anthropologist who has a special interest in Catholic theology. She earned her PhD in Maternal-Child Nutrition in 2018 and now serves as Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia. Dr Joseph has a special keen interest in Catholic Social Teaching, feminist theology, phenomenology and postmodernist thinking. She is passionate about writing and delivering sessions that draws upon the feminine genius and the life and philosophy of Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) to inform contemporary conversations on personhood, gender, suffering, modernity and ethics.

On the topic of Heroic Masculinity, how does the path of the hero help young Christian men identify their spiritual quest with the classic hero’s quest?

The Tale of the Three Brothers tells the story of three wizard brothers who each receive a powerful magical artifact from the Grim Reaper: The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak – collectively known as the Deathly Hallows. Symbolically, the brothers’ choices reflect different responses to the reality of death, serving as a mirror to our own lives. The moral of this parable teaches that our attitudes toward mortality profoundly shape the way we pursue meaning, fulfilment, and ultimately, how we choose to live—for better or for worse.

The Eastern Catholic Church is an ancient branch of the Catholic Church, that has and continues to exist alongside the Latin rite tradition, with both being part of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. While the Latin rite branch of the Catholic Church consists of one rite, the Eastern Catholicism consists of many different churches, which include rites such as the Byzantine, Maronite, Melkite and Chaldean rites.

This series of articles is intended as an overview of the development of the Roman Rite Mass until the present day. Understanding this rich and complex history will help not only the clergy in their sacramental ministry but also laypeople in participating fruitfully in the liturgy of the Church.

It was common in medieval times to portray Mother Mary breastfeeding; back then, before Victorian prudery, it was not such a sexualised sight, but simply a normal part of life – the nourishing of a child. This Marian devotion was popularised by the Cistercians.

Have you ever been questioned by friends or relatives about certain aspects of your Catholic faith and found yourself having to attempt to offer an explanation to them? There is a special term for this exercise of explaining your faith to those who ask. It is called “apologetics”.