Spirituality
Reader wants to move sign of peace, squelch singing at Communion
Father Ken Doyle answers two readers' suggestions for changing the Mass by pointing out what the church allows and encourages in the liturgy.
See Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2016
Read the pope's message in which he traces the history of mercy in God's covenant, through Mary the model of evangelization and to the works of mercy. He advises all not to waste the season of Lent.
The poor are at the center of the Gospel, pope says
Evangelizing the poor is central to the Gospel message and is less about giving social assistance than about converting hearts and healing wounds, Pope Francis said.
A jealous heart is an ugly, tormented heart, pope says at morning Mass
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Jealousy and envy are ugly sins that grow like weeds in one’s heart, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass. A heart that is envious is not only tormented, but can even “lead one to kill,” the pope said Jan. 21 during the Mass in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae. […]
No one is excluded from the mercy of God, pope says at audience
Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians are called to work together in order to be a visible sign that God's mercy excludes no one, Pope Francis said during his general audience Jan. 20.
No saint has a sin-free past, no sinner is hopeless, pope says
"We are often the slaves of appearances and allow ourselves to pursue appearances," he said during Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. "But God knows the truth."
To forgive ISIS terrorists, or not?
Father Ken Doyle answered a question about the Paris bombings a few months ago, and got a mail bag full of responses, mostly negative. So he dives back into the topic, asking: If God's forgiveness is conditional, is it wrong for our own to be?
No one ‘deserves’ faith; it is a gift, pope says
No one deserves faith and no one can buy it; faith is a gift that changes one's life and allows people to recognize Jesus as the son of God with the power to forgive sins, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass.
The ‘smell of mercy’ still lingers after 800 years
Gina Christian is pleasantly surprised to learn how the voice of 11th century monk St. Bernard harmonizes today with Pope Francis’ call to a Year of Mercy.
Service verifies whether a feeling comes from God, pope says
In order to discern whether something comes from God, Christians must first reflect whether it leads to serving others or revolve around themselves, Pope Francis said at his early morning Mass.