Spirituality
‘Putrid’ hypocrisy worse than mere sin, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God loves and forgives sinners but abhors and condemns “putrid” hypocrites who lead others to sin, Pope Francis said. The pope spoke Nov. 11 during a morning Mass he celebrated in the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives. “We should all call ourselves sinners, yes, all of us,” he said, but “not […]
He was unfaithful, now despairing; can he be forgiven?
Father Ken Doyle answers the question of a man who was unfaithful to his wife and has suicidal thoughts. The man can be forgiven and should seek the sacrament of penance right away, as well as counseling.
All Saints, All Souls feasts are time to renew hope, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At the end of the feast of All Saints, just before the sun set, Pope Francis celebrated an outdoor Mass at Rome's Verano cemetery and urged Christians to hang on to hope as they reflect on the promise that earthly life ends with eternal life in heaven. In his homily at the evening Mass Nov. 1, Pope Francis set aside his prepared text, looked out at the thousands of people gathered between long lines of tombs and told them, "We reflect and think about our own future and about all those who have gone before us and are now with the Lord."
Pope says God never tires of offering sinners eternal life
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God never ceases to forgive, offering even the disobedient the chance for eternal life, Pope Francis said. "Even if our entire existence is surrounded by threats, nothing can ever separate us from the love that Christ himself gained for us," the pope said in a homily in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 4.
Saints aren’t superheroes, they just never strayed from God, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saints aren't superheroes, they are regular people who just never left God's side after encountering him and his love, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints. "Being a saint is not a privilege of the few, like someone getting a large inheritance. All of us have inherited through baptism the ability to become saints," he said Nov. 1.
Vatican, American Bible Society offer ‘lectio divina’ manual
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican publishing house, the American Bible Society and the vicar general of the Diocese of Mar del Plata, Argentina, have teamed up to develop a step-by-step manual in the Catholic art of praying and meditating with the Bible. “Part of the aim of the project is to get Catholics […]
What makes a saint? For starters, longing to see God’s face
As All Saints Day approaches, columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay ponders the communion of saints and the fruits of holiness -- virtues, good works, mercy and justice. Are they what happen to a saint along the way? Where does sainthood begin? Perhaps not with the determination to be virtuous, but with a spark of grace struck in a soul.
How many times a day can one receive Communion?
Q. What are the church's guidelines for someone receiving Communion more than once a day? Some examples are: attending Mass on a Saturday morning, a Saturday evening vigil Mass and Mass again on Sunday morning; also, attending a weekday Mass in the morning and then a healing Mass that same evening.
In times of trouble, pope says, call on the communion of saints
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Trials and doubts are part of everyone’s faith journey, “even mine,” Pope Francis said, but Christians know they can get through the hard times with help from God, other Christians and those in heaven. “Who hasn’t experienced insecurities, losses and even doubts in the journey of faith?” the pope asked. “It’s […]
Pope says hope is not mere optimism but a link to eternal life
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christian hope is not mere optimism or a “positive attitude” toward the world but a vital link to eternal salvation, Pope Francis said. The pope spoke Oct. 29 during a morning Mass he celebrated in the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives. The congregation included a visiting group of Mexican priests celebrating […]