Spirituality
My vocation story starts with prayer at home
The young woman on a career path was unhappy until she turned all her desires over to Jesus. Now as a Sister of Life for eight years, she loses herself in his love every day and is a vessel for it to everyone.
Four things everyone can do to build a culture of vocations
Society already makes it hard enough for a young person to hear their call today; shouldn't we as a church be doing all we can to make it easier? We can, explains a young priest only two years ordained.
Deacons and their wives share field notes on parish ministry
For permanent deacons, the joys of ministry accompany the challenges of their vocation, which can be hard on their wives. But they too find opportunities for pastoral service with their husbands.
Making room for Spirit entails daily battle against devil, pope says
Conversion isn't about superficial change, like applying makeup, the pope said; it requires a change within that has been brought about by the Holy Spirit.
To the contrary, Father: Readers differ over leaving Mass early
After Father Ken Doyle wrote that there is seldom a good reason for people to leave Mass after Communion, he heard from many people who knew of perfectly good reasons. He stands corrected, but unmoved.
In the end, everyone faces God with ’empty hands,’ pope says
God waits for everyone, even the worst sinner who repents only with his dying breath, Pope Francis said.
In church or business, buzzwords can obscure the real work
Let’s come to terms with “missionary discipleship” as we “get granular,” grouses writer Gina Christian. Evangelization (not a buzzword) isn’t about theological eloquence but simple deeds to show the love of Christ.
Only Jesus, in his infinite mercy, would die for sinners, pope says
It might be possible to find someone who would be willing to die for another person who was good and righteous, the pope said. But only Jesus Christ was willing to give his life "for a sinner like me."
Starving children are innocent victims of humanity’s greed, pope says
Pope Francis said Oct. 23 that the day's Gospel reading of the parable of the rich man who stores up treasure for himself "isn't a fairy tale that Jesus invented; it is today's reality." He decried greed, an "idolatry of money."
Think about what you say in the Our Father, pope advises
"I hope that each one of us, as we say, 'Our Father ...,' discover that we are loved, forgiven and bathed by the dew of the Holy Spirit so that we are able to love and forgive every brother and every sister," Pope Francis said.