Spirituality
Only way to know how much God loves you is to give him a try, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For people who believe their sins make it impossible for God to forgive them, the pope said, "Well, try! If you want to discover the tenderness of this father, go to him and find out, then come and tell me about it."
Be patient when your Lenten pledge to pray goes the way of ashes
Easter might still feel a long way off, and already we may have run out of energy for our Lenten practices. Columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay keeps walking with the desert saints and Pope Francis to find a fresh beginning.
Deacon is not a Communion referee
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader's question about whether a deacon should refuse Communion for a person believed to be in an invalid marriage. Catholic teaching is clear, but who can know the actual circumstances of the marriage or a possible annulment?
Whatever became of the mysterious St. Valentine?
Columnist Father Ken Doyle clears up the question of why Mass is not celebrated for the legendary saint of Roman times. Also, in a case that raises eyebrows in the parish of a now-married priest, Father Doyle cautions against harsh judgment.
Think fasting is tough twice a year? Try it every day
Columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay struggled with hunger on Ash Wednesday while thinking about how many people, including children in the U.S., go hungry all the time. The early Christian monks of the desert speak to us today of fasting for body and soul.
Annulments and the myth of money
Columnist Father Ken Doyle debunks the myth that getting a declaration of nullity after divorce depends on how much money is paid. Also, divorce alone is not a barrier to receiving holy Communion.
‘Monk’s mirror’ helps us pray the short, sharp Jesus Prayer
Columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay takes us further into the desert experience of Lent with the ascetics’ advice to see our sins and humbly pray to God for mercy.
Yes, you can still make the sign of the cross near a church
That old custom -- it dates back to the third century -- still exists, writes columnist Father Ken Doyle. He also answers a sticky question about divorced men checking out the dating website CatholicMatch.com.
Use Lent to shed apathy to sin, poverty, indifference to God, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Lent is a time to shed lazy, un-Christian habits and snap out of one's apathy toward people harmed by violence, poverty and not having God in their lives, Pope Francis said.
Walk into the starkness of Lent seeking a word in the desert
Spirituality columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay is thinking of deserts these days, and not just because they're warm during this long winter. The desert fathers and mothers of antiquity have much to teach us as we prepare to enter Lent.