Spirituality
Pray with courage, pope says in morning homily
Christians must be courageous when praying to God and not simply repeat prayers "like a parrot," Pope Francis said.
Explaining same-sex unions to a child
Father Ken Doyle admits he is no master teacher for a 5-year-old, but offers church teaching on marriage and homosexual persons to the boy's father. Also, he chimes in on the use of bells at Mass.
Cleaning out our hearts enables us to see God
Lenten self-denial helps us to "stop, look and listen" so that we can view others through Jesus' eyes, writes Patrick Walsh. In every encounter, the Lord is constantly revealing himself to us.
Loved at our worst
Like a parent embracing a wayward teen at her lowest moment, so God's relentless love extends beyond us, writes Gina Christian. He does not abandon us but instead offers oneness with himself.
What exactly is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Father Kenneth Doyle clarifies one of the most controversial passages in Scripture, while advising another reader who has opted out of contemporary liturgical music by wearing earbuds during Mass.
Mary, Heart of the Mystical Body – Week 4
In the fourth of a seven-part series, Sister Constance Veit shares how devotion to the seven sorrows of Mary can deepen our understanding of God's love, while nurturing faith in our youth. Follow along with a video.
Accept the Father’s mercy, offer it to all
As we hear again the story of the prodigal son in the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, this package of resources invites us to ponder the lessons of this parable, in text and videos.
Judge not, because we are all prodigal children
A permanent deacon tells of how difficult it is to go into the peripheries and minister without judgment to those who are not like us. But at a prison, he learned the power of forgiveness over fear.
Which of the prodigals are you, and how will your story end?
In his story of the forgiving father, Jesus invites us to identify with both sons, who both strayed from the father. Admitting we are sinners, as Pope Francis does, allows us to seek God's mercy.
Mercy remains at heart of our Lenten journey
Lent offers a time to recognize God’s compassionate love and to share it with those we encounter, especially those who need it most, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.