Commentaries
Say it isn’t so: Was his namesake saint a myth?
It's true, Father Ken Doyle informs a reader, that St. George was a real Roman soldier and martyr. But that story of him slaying dragons, not so much. See our priest columnist's weekly Q&A.
Papal document shows mercy as medicine on life’s battlefields
Steven Bozza, director of archdiocesan Office for Life and Family, sees people’s suffering in certain family situations -- as well as the truth of church teaching, given tenderly in love for families.
With a farewell comes a trove of lessons learned
As a Generation X columnist, Karen Osborne has written for teens for 14 years. That column comes to an end now, but her advice for Millenials to look at the world with bright, new ideas will carry on.
Watch out for an ‘agenda’ in quote marks
John Garvey can't help but notice, in reports on Southern states' recent legislation, how headlines treat "religious liberty" as though it is a "so-called" liberty. He fears there may be more at work than punctuation.
Pope points out our responsibility to immigrants
Father Gus Puleo sees in Pope Francis' gesture of settling Syrian families in Rome an example of mercy and empathy for the "children of God who are refugees." We must build bridges, not walls.
What Villanova’s shining moment means for enrollment
Villanova's national championship might lead to more new students, writes Jesuit Father William Byron. If sports help stabilize enrollments at private universities, then even this St. Joe's Hawk says, "Go 'Nova!"
Seeing the world with the eyes of a child
Father Eugene Hemrick looks deeply into what goes on in the minds of children captivated by God's creation and goodness. To "become like children" takes our effort, reverence and a sense of awe.
Strong parents can help girls navigate a fetid pool
Effie Caldarola has worries about the toxic and cruel social media swamp that girls are swimming in today. Parents must be their lifeboat, and actively raise daughters to become strong young women.
A friend’s journey home
Moises Sandoval reflects on the death of a friend, who believed one of the gifts Hispanic Catholics bring to the church is the ability to celebrate life, no matter how bleak and discouraging the times may be.
Confirmation is a ‘yes’ to life in the church, not ‘I’m done’
Karen Osborne wishes she had a nickel for every time she's heard teens and parents vow it's the end of church-going after confirmation. But the sacrament isn't about leaving, it's arriving at adulthood with God.