Spirituality
Risen Jesus lights our way to eternal life with him
Like a sea of candles in a dark night, God's faithful people look to the light of Jesus' victory over death and his resurrection as the source of hope on our earthly journey, comments Msgr. Joseph Prior on this Sunday's Scriptures.
Don’t just hang in there — hold on
A coworker's advice reminds Gina Christian that grasping God's hand, especially when our own grip is failing, draws us into a divine embrace that lifts us out of everyday existence.
Catholic marriages in non-church venues?
While the norm is for Catholics to marry in their parish church, some leeway is increasingly given to couples who wish to wed in non-church settings, including outdoors, writes Father Ken Doyle.
My vocation story: Finding love fully alive, in Christ
Sister Miriam, "one groovy nun," let go of a life of trauma, addiction and disappointment once the power of God's love restored her. Her life of love preaches a powerful gospel, and yours can, too.
My vocation story: Called from marriage to priesthood
Andrew Dutko succeeded in many things, but when his wife died suddenly, none of it mattered. Then he rediscovered his relationship with God, and it led him to serve all of God’s children as a priest.
Wordlessness of ‘a thin place’ draws us to deepest things
Effie Caldarola writes of those times or locations where our mind and heart seem to cross an invisible barrier, and we glimpse the transcendent -- a perfect metaphor for praying to the saints this month.
Refusing God’s generosity is a sin, pope says
In life, Christians face the choice of either being open to encountering God's generosity or closed in on their own interests, Pope Francis said.
Jesus’ saving love is real, concrete, pope says
Jesus' love for each person is a concrete love, a love that is addressed to each person "with their first and last name," Pope Francis said.
Readings of the Holy Mass: Thirty-first 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.
Baby’s baptism prompts fresh look at 1st sacrament
Gary Zimak found a new appreciation of baptism by attending his infant nephew's christening. Afterward the writer reviewed the catechism's teaching on the great gift of baptizing babies.