Spirituality
Readings of the Holy Mass – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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.
St. John Paul II: A pope for modern man and an eternal God
Throughout his 27-year papacy, St. John Paul II refocused the church on centering human dignity in the person of Christ. In this set of articles, we explore the pope's first encyclical, "Redemptor Hominis," which outlined this vision for a new millennium.
Amazed by human dignity, St. John Paul II called on church to serve others
Throughout his papacy, St. John Paul II emphasized the need to honor the image of God in each individual. As the bride of Christ, the church must unite itself with every person, especially by serving humanity's poorest and most vulnerable members.
‘Redeemer of man,’ the vision and agenda of St. John Paul II’s papacy
The centrality of Christ and the mystery of the human person were two key themes of St. John Paul II's papacy. In his first encyclical, the pope stressed that understanding humanity meant understanding Christ, and vice versa.
The beatitudes call us to root ourselves in God alone
Like a well-watered tree, the heart centered in the Lord thrives regardless of life's seasons, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. Faith in Christ Jesus and in his resurrection feeds and nourishes us for our earthly journey.
Should one say the rosary during Mass? No, but…
Father Ken Doyle explains the lengths the church goes to encourage active participation in the Mass, which would preclude praying the rosary. But he recognizes that for some people, this is their best prayer.
Generous service brings abundant blessings, pope says
God accomplishes great things when Christians cast aside doubt and generously place themselves in his service, Pope Francis said.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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.
Life has meaning when given with love to others, pope says in homily
A life lived selfishly, corruptly or filled with hate is a life that is useless, shrivels up and dies, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.
The wisdom of excommunication, and of 10-minute homilies
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader's question about how excommunicating a politician (i.e., New York's governor) works, and Pope Francis' call for brief homilies and attentive listeners.