Spirituality

Humility not about being polite, but accepting humiliation, pope says

"Humility without humiliation is not humility. The humble one is that man, that woman who is capable of enduring humiliations like Jesus, the humiliated one, the great humiliated one," he said.

Can you have a funeral Mass in a funeral home?

Father Ken Doyle advises a reader on the proper location of the funeral Mass, and addresses the concerns of another reader regarding overpopulation and Church teaching on reproduction.

Advent calls us to prepare for the Lord’s many comings

This season invites us to ready ourselves for Christ's arrival at Bethlehem, at the end of time, and daily, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior.

Readings of the holy Mass – First Sunday of Advent

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.

Don’t let fear stop you from going to confession

If you've been away from the sacrament of reconciliation, it's time to return to the merciful God who longs to heal you, writes Kim Griffin. After 10 years away from the sacrament, she now sees its many graces.

Advent week one: Preparation, patience and memory

As the First Sunday of Advent approaches on Dec. 3, we welcome readers to use this first part in our four-week series as a way to prepare for Christmas, the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.

Give an Advent gift of hope to grow the light for the world

Lent has reminders of things we are "giving up," but Advent sneaks up on us. It is the great memory of the church that lets in light on a darkening world. So the next time we demand our own way, let's refuse to take it, and offer patient hope.

Advent prompts deepest of questions, leading to Jesus

What answer or hope are we waiting for at Advent? Why is life worth living? Jesus did not come simply to communicate a message, but to speak with every person. His first recorded statement was a question: "What are you looking for?"

How St. Joseph is an Advent model

St. Joseph is a bridge between Advent and Christmas because by not following his own good plan for life and accepting God's mission for him, Joseph fully found himself. God likewise is present in our lives and our world now.

Readings of the holy Mass – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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.