Commentaries

What is man? The answer leads to the heart

As Father Thomas Dailey eagerly awaits a new book from the Vatican on that perennial question, he turns to St. Francis de Sales' answer: We seek happiness, and we find it only when the human is united with the divine.

Each sip or shower echoes our Christian baptism

Water surrounds us every day as it did at our baptism -- the deepest of washing, revitalizing our entire beings, writes Sister Annette Pelletier. The Father speaks to his beloved children, with whom he is pleased.

Peace is the first greeting of those who follow Christ

The simple, heartfelt wish for others' well-being must be our gift to those we engage in our personal, professional, political and international realms, writes Carolyn Woo.

A queen, two popes and a lot of creative license

A teaspoon of fact and a shovelful of fiction blend in slick docudramas such as "The Crown" and "The Two Popes," writes Greg Erlandson. The recipe makes for inaccurate history, with a bad aftertaste.

‘Tis the season for seeking a professional caregiver

The Christmas holidays can be a time for honest conversations about caring for an aging loved one, writes registered nurse Aimee Gustitis. By doing your homework, setting realistic goals and trusting in God, you can maintain your senior's dignity and safety.

Hanukkah, Christmas and the state of the world

Rabbi Abraham Skorka, a St. Joseph's University professor, recently reflected with his friend Pope Francis on the Jewish and Christian holidays celebrated at this time of year. Both faiths share a common vision: hope for a world in which peace and fraternity prevail.

Give books for Christmas — here are 14 for your list

George Weigel offers suggestions for 13 titles by other authors, and one by himself, of 2019's best reads. They will delight, instruct and edify your loved ones (or yourself).

Waiting well during Advent

In this season of promise and possibility, we can learn to release our grip on the desires we long to see fulfilled, writes Elise Italiano Urenek. The God who chose to become incarnate can be trusted to provide his best for us, even through divine delays.

The faith of youth offers thrill of hope

Watching thousands of teens and young adults kneel in eucharistic adoration at a conference revived the weary soul of Catholic author Katie Prejean McGrady. Through this new generation of believers, the light of Christ will continue to shine.

Finding reason to hope amid the pessimism

Despite the torrent of bad news, especially about the Catholic Church, there are many people rolling up their sleeves to do holy, life-changing work that glorifies God one person at a time, writes Greg Erlandson.