Commentaries
Young adult ministry accompanied me during addiction recovery
The compassion of fellow parishioners helped Scott Weeman find new life after a lonely struggle with drugs and alcohol. Their shared vulnerability formed new spiritual bonds.
Seeds of faith continue to flourish in Latino youth
A bilingual Catholic youth movement from New York brings the love of Christ to thousands, writes Maria-Pia Negro Chin.
Life was difficult 50 years ago, but it’s now harder than ever for young people
Previous generations labored to make ends meet, writes Moises Sandoval. Today, a lack of full-time jobs with benefits has intensified the struggle to survive.
The prerogative power belongs to kings, not presidents
Congress needs to take responsibility for making key decisions, rather than handing the president a royal scepter, writes John Garvey.
Relief efforts demonstrate ‘best traditions of the nation’
The recent hurricanes that have devastated portions of the country provide powerful opportunities to unite in rebuilding lives, as Mike Krokos observes.
Anti-Catholicism: The last acceptable prejudice in America
In a judicial confirmation hearing, Democratic senators implied that believers who accept their church's moral teachings are un-American. Senators seemed not to have heard of Article VI of the Constitution, writes Richard Doerflinger.
Whether driving or praying, avoid distractions that can land you in a ditch
Maureen Pratt suggests taking a spiritual deep breath that brings calm and that helps her pay attention to the moment, especially when distractions pull her from goals.
The Splendor of Truth in 2017
Archbishop Charles Chaput has written a reflection for First Things magazine on next year's 25th anniversary of the release of St. John Paul II’s encyclical Veritatis Splendor, the wisdom of which is more urgently needed than ever.
‘Honey, about your drinking’
A husband needs to address his wife's use of alcohol, but how? Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain have five healthy alternatives for dealing with drinking before it becomes a big problem for a marriage.
Tearing down prejudice, rather than just statues
Recent calls to remove Civil War statues have more to do with present issues rather than historical controversies, writes Greg Erlandson. By examining both our past and present, we can shape a more just and compassionate future.