Spirituality
Confessions from a face-to-face confessional
Returning to the sacrament of penance after decades, April McMurray Aiello was rusty but found her good-natured priest helpful and wise. Her confession was anything but perfect, but that's the whole point.
Be consoled tenderly by the Lord in confession, pope says
The Lord draws near to those in need with the tenderness of a father, and anyone who wants to experience his consolation simply needs to go to confession, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.
Do what you can, when you can, to witness to the truth
John the Baptist, Oscar Romero and Maura Clarke all confronted injustice with courage and love, writes Father Thomas Higgins. Advent is a time to follow their example, in ways great and small, to bring God's light to the world.
Justice, peace won’t happen without hard work
The Second Sunday of Advent calls us toward a world of harmony, and to endurance in the struggle to bring it about. Much work is still to be done, so writer Mike Nelson urges, "Let's get busy."
What we can learn from John the Baptist, a man for Advent
The Baptist who cries out "Prepare the way of the Lord" is a figure rooted in the Old Testament and an example of one driven by the Spirit that Christians witnessed after Jesus' resurrection.
Readings of the Holy Mass: Second 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.
Advent: Putting your house in order before Christ’s return
With the busy-ness of life, time is short, but the time also is now to repent and prepare a welcome by recognizing the Lord in each other, reflects Msgr. Joseph Prior on the Second Sunday of Advent.
Mary had grace from the start, but we can catch up
While teaching catechism to a rowdy group of preteens, Gina Christian learns that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is tricky -- but ultimately reminds us we're all called to follow the example of Christ's mother.
Waiting well means having hope
It’s not a matter of if Jesus will arrive, but when he will arrive, writes Gary Zimak, who offers five lessons from the Book of Tobit that can transform both Advent and everyday life.
Great faith sprouts from small, humble actions, pope says
God makes his presence known not by those who claim to have great faith but by those who are little and humble, Pope Francis said.