Spirituality

Early Mothers of the Church

The men called "Fathers of the Church" guarded the faith taught by the apostles. But the early Mothers of the Church proved influential in the first centuries of the church's development. See our package of stories on this topic.

Women flexed intellectual, spiritual power in early church

Jesus led a revolutionary approach to the treatment of women, and Christianity opened the door to recognition of women's dignity. So it's no wonder women in the early church took up Christianity with gusto.

A survey of women of the New Testament

From Paul's writings, the apostles clearly depended on women and their families for hospitality and support to spread the message of Christ.

Where is our hope today? It lies in Christ Jesus

We may be tempted to despair and lose hope, but we can turn to figures such as St. John Paul II and those of Scripture who held onto hope in dark times, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior on this Sunday’s readings for Mass.

Readings of the holy Mass – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

Government: It’s God’s idea, but our task to make it better

God calls for good governance of his people on earth, but not for a specific form, writes Gina Christian. Though she will vote Nov. 8 with a heavy heart, she knows the ballot box can lead to an encounter with our divine king.

Was John the Baptist free from original sin?

While Father Ken Doyle explains the doctrine that only Mary was conceived free from sin, he points to signs that the Baptist was freed from original sin after conception, but before birth.

Early Fathers of the Church

One of the greatest ways to grow in the spiritual life and be imbued with the Catholic spirit is to read the writings of the early Church Fathers.

The Fathers of the Church: Who they are and why they matter

Almost as soon as anyone begins to explore Christian heritage, he or she invariably runs across references to "the Fathers of the Church" or "early Church Fathers." One gets the clear impression that whoever they are, these people are important!

The baptism of St. Augustine by St. Ambrose

St. Augustine.s baptism climaxed one of the greatest conversion stories ever. He arrived at the baptismal font only after an agonizing process of deliberation.