Spirituality
Eternal happiness without one’s children?
Father Ken Doyle provides the best answer he can to a reader's question about whether she might not see her children in heaven. He offers a more definitive answer to another reader's question about the ways one may receive holy Communion.
Pope: Don’t dwell like bats in darkness; live gladly in Christ’s light
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Don't live the faith as if it were a "nonstop funeral," Pope Francis said. Because Jesus isn't "up there," faraway, but is close by, don't be afraid of reaching out to him and experiencing his joy, the pope said April 24.
Breathe Easter, let the resurrection billow in the heart
After last winter and the just-ended Lent, Michelle Francl-Donnay wants nothing more than to let God’s breath, as at the creation, fill her soul at Easter. She notes how saints and poets urge us to realize we were created not to be separated from God, but joined to his very breath.
Easter should last all week, including in your Bible reading, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Trusting that people took his Lenten advice and either downloaded a Bible app or bought a pocket-sized edition of the Gospels, Pope Francis encouraged Christians to re-read the accounts of the Resurrection during Easter week.
Explaining the cross to a child
Father Ken Doyle admits he isn't a parent, but he offers helpful advice for explaining the image of Christ crucified for a 4 year old. Also, a reader wonders, "How clean is the chalice at communion?"
God is on side of abused and violated, pope will say on Good Friday
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The often silent plight of sexually abused children, victims of domestic violence, prisoners, the abandoned elderly, the unemployed and immigrants facing hostility will be given a powerful voice during the Stations of the Cross at Rome's Colosseum on Good Friday, for which Pope Francis will preside.
Spotting all the crosses of holy week, and every week
Columnist Michelle Francl Donnay hopes the narratives of Jesus’ passion help her to see people bearing their cross. Will we help them carry their cross, and see Jesus in a thousand places?
‘The devil exists’ and doesn’t want you to follow Jesus, pope warns
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A lot of people, even Catholics, think that talking about the devil is completely old-fashioned, but anyone who wants to follow Jesus needs to know that Satan exists and will keep putting up obstacles to faith, Pope Francis said.
How much does a funeral Mass cost? Nothing, actually
Father Ken Doyle clears up confusion about "selling" spiritual goods, which is the sin of simony, and the commonplace free-will offering of $10 for celebrating a funeral Mass. He also answers the letter of a Newtown Square writer about annulments.
Pope: Take up God’s offer to face life’s problems with his love, wisdom
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People can choose either to tackle life's challenges with the loving and wise heart of God or be driven by their own passions and interests, Pope Francis said.