Spirituality
Reflections on Palm Sunday, the start of our Holy Week journey
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when we celebrate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem only days before his death on the cross. This package of stories by our partner Catholic News Service provides a reflective road map for our journey, which leads to Easter joy.
Palm Sunday proclaims an eternal message for a modern moment
At the start of Holy Week, Christians reflect on what it means to "come in the name of the Lord" by uniting themselves with Jesus' death and resurrection.
Exhausting and intense, Holy Week leads us from sorrow to joy
From Palm Sunday to the Easter Vigil, the faithful seem to live at church while celebrating Christ's passion. Yet the demanding liturgies renew us as they culminate in the glory of the Resurrection.
Jesus’ most important journey to Jerusalem
In the Gospels, Jesus travels Jerusalem many times, but St. Mark's account describes only his most important visit -- which culminated in his death and resurrection.
Through the Scriptures of Palm Sunday, we enter into the Lord’s passion
The readings of Palm Sunday recount Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the suffering and death he endured there to save us, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. The ancient words move us to humble thanksgiving for God's unfathomable love.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Pope: Present in the Eucharist, Jesus transforms those who receive him
Continuing his talks on the liturgy, Pope Francis spoke about holy Communion with references to springtime growth. Virtues and good works flourish because their root is Jesus, who replenishes with the sacraments and prayer.
Penitent doesn’t like DACA but wants to follow beatitudes
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader who looks to the beatitudes of Jesus as an examination of conscience before going to confession. If a person violates the beatitudes because of one's anti-immigration views, can he be a "good Catholic?"
Readings of the Holy Mass – Fifth Sunday of Lent
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
In dying to ourselves and serving others, we share in redemption
Msgr. Joseph Prior tells the story of a little-known missionary to lepers in Hawaii to show that everyone, regardless of our state in life, is called to lay down one's life for others, and so to gain eternal life.