Spirituality
Finding the Lord’s plan for your life
What has God called you to do? In this set of articles from our partner Catholic News Service, we explore several aspects of discernment, the process through which one comes to know how best to respond to the Lord's invitation to love and serve him.
A prayer for discernment
Writer Effie Caldarola offers a heartfelt petition for the soul who seeks to understand and fulfill God's unique call for each believer. Honesty, courage and trust are crucial in tracing the path to a life of communion with the Lord and with others.
Discernment is listening for God in the real world
Prayer and action go hand in hand when you are trying to understand God’s will for your life. Through reflection, Scripture and engagement with others, the Lord's voice can be heard, and peace can be found when we respond to his call.
Holy Spirit ‘brings order to our frenzy,’ pope says
During a Pentecost homily, Pope Francis said that the Holy Spirit is a "specialist in creating diversity, richness" while also bringing harmony and unity to diversity. Humble service to others is evidence of the Spirit's presence in one's life, he added.
Pentecost celebrates ‘gifts that from the Spirit flow’
This weekend Catholics will celebrate the feast of Pentecost, recalling the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church.
A holy fire poured out like water
In fire and rain, the Spirit of the living God enfolds us and his love consumes the depths of our being, writes Gina Christian. At Pentecost she prays we may be scorched and soaked anew by this Comforter.
Called and gifted by the Spirit, we share in the mission of the church
Although the third person of the Trinity has always been present in human history, Pentecost reveals him in his fullness, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. Formed by the Spirit, we live the proclamation of God's love, not only in word but in action, thought and desire.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Pentecost Sunday
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.
Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit’s gift to be given to others
Made in the image of God, we have a divine capacity for forgiveness, writes Mary Marracco. Unforgiveness is unhealthy, but we can be re-created by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and gifting forgiveness to others.
‘Come, Holy Spirit’
One of the more striking medieval texts in the Roman Missal, "Veni Sancte Spiritus," is a poem that reminds writer Shemaiah Gonzalez to call on the Spirit and he will be near in our time of need.