Spirituality
Advent Week 1: A collection of Advent poems
Writer Shemaiah Gonzalez offers three reflections in verse of the first week of Advent - a time when the wait for the unseen miracle of Jesus' coming is nearly over.
Advent’s call to discipleship, and what that means
Effie Caldarola admires Jesus and hopes his teachings make an impact in daily life, but is she a disciple or merely a fan? She offers recent examples of people who were "all in" for Jesus.
How to redeem Thanksgiving at a difficult moment
For Indigenous peoples, the traditional American holiday is a painful reminder of centuries of suffering, writes Gina Christian. Grace and humility can enable us to embrace this complex occasion in its fullness, and to strive for compassion and justice.
Readings of the Holy Mass – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Read, listen to or watch videos of the Mass readings with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Haunted by martyrs in a month of saints
The "most intimidating sort of saint" for Gina Christian is one who laid down his or her life (often after horrific tortures) for the faith. Such courageous witness continues today, as some 300 million Christians currently suffer persecution.
Some saintly tips on handling distractions in prayer
Father Ken Doyle offers sage advice, from St. Therese and St. Francis, to a reader having trouble concentrating in prayer due to the swirl of stressful news.
Readings of the Holy Mass – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read, listen to or watch videos of the Mass readings with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
How do we use our gifts of time and talent for the Lord?
Msgr. Joseph Prior explains the layers of meaning of the Parable of the Talents in this Sunday's Gospel reading. When the Lord returns "after a long time," he will settle accounts with his servants.
A sexual abuse survivor finds a ‘reckoning’ in McCarrick report
The newly released Vatican document on decades of sexual abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is a first for the Catholic Church, as well as a call to make it the last ever needed, writes Gina Christian.
Pope Francis blesses statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Mary promised the French saint Catherine Laboure in November 1830 that everyone who wore one of the miraculous medals "will receive great graces."