Spirituality

Did Jesus have siblings?

Q. At a Bible study group in our apartment complex, it was shared with those attending that Jesus had five siblings. What Bible passage does that come from and, if it's true, why do we call Our Lady "Virgin Mary"? (Some in the group said that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth but had five additional children with her spouse Joseph.) (Albany, N.Y.)

Blessings are not a protective coating, but channels of grace

“God bless, God bless,” said the woman as she stood next to my car. While I appreciated the blessing, frankly, I think my car needs a more thorough benediction. First there was the midnight text message from my oldest son, whose nickname is — rather ironically — Crash: “I got into a little fender bender leaving prom tonight.” Now I am in the middle of a left turn lane on Lancaster Avenue, my front bumper and side mirror bent and dented after being sideswiped by a minvan.

Throw a birthday party for our heavenly queen

The Blessed Virgin Mary, according to the Church's calendar, was born Sept. 8. She became the mother of Jesus Christ, who is the King of Glory and the eternal Son of the Father. Even before the world knew of her existence, she was the mother of the Church. The cherubim and the seraphim praised her. Today, the glorious company of apostles praises her, the noble fellowship of prophets praises her and the white-robed army of martyrs praises her. Throughout the world, the holy Church acclaims her as our spiritual mother.

Gleaning the fields, with help from Catholic Heart Work Campers

In ancient Israel, the rich were not supposed to harvest everything in their fields. They were supposed to leave something for the poor. In the Bible, Ruth goes out to "glean" the fields of Boaz, so she can feed herself and her mother-in-law Naomi. In Leviticus, Chapter 19, the law of Israel forbid the "gleaning" of the fields by the owner, so that something would be left over for the poor. The prophets like Jeremiah thought that one of the social injustices of Israel and Judah was that the rich left nothing in the fields for the poor.

Can a priest tell congregants how to worship?

Q. I recently began attending Mass at a Catholic parish in my neighborhood. After I had been there several times, the priest made a speech saying that, since there were no kneelers in that church, no one was allowed to kneel during Mass -- even during the consecration or after receiving the holy Eucharist. To do so, he said, would be disrespectful to other parishioners. I was very upset, as I am in awe of receiving my Lord's actual body and blood and feel called to fall on my knees. Is it the accepted practice of the Catholic Church to be able to tell people how they can and cannot worship? (Quinque, Va.)

Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer Intentions for August

General intention: “That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity.” Mission intention: “That young people, called to follow Christ, may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.”

Through Eucharist we draw near to Christ, God ‘pitches His tent’ among us

“Is there anything I can bring you?” I asked my friend Maryann, who had been hospitalized without a chance to pack a thing and was now facing major surgery. “A scrunchy to keep the hair off my face?” “No problem.” She turned momentarily serious. “And the Eucharist?” Absolutely. So this morning after Mass, with the blessing of the pastor, I retrieved a pyx from the sacristy, and in it placed a tiny fragment of the host consecrated just a few minutes before. Two of us went from the church to Bryn Mawr Hospital to bring Maryann word of our community’s earnest prayers for her, and Christ, cradled in our hands.

Far from the chancery, priest sees the action of grace

Back in the seminary, we used to sing, "All I want is a rectory, far away from the chancery." Years later I got my wish. I am about 50 miles away from the chancery. I almost never go to the chancery office. We communicate by telephone and email. That's enough. My remote location has an upside and a downside.

Explaining celibacy for Latin-rite priests

Q. Lately, a fair number of clergy from other religious denominations who have converted to Catholicism have been permitted to become Roman Catholic priests and retain their marital status. This raises for me the following question: If the Catholic Church is allowing this, why not change the celibacy requirement and permit all Catholic priests to marry? I'm wondering, first, what the rationale is for the rule of celibacy and second, how Catholic priests ordained as celibates feel about this new permission. (Columbia, Mo.) 

Catholics need help with interactive prayer, mag says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The church must offer people — especially the young — a spirituality that responds to their computer-driven desire for interactive experiences, said an influential Jesuit magazine. The Italian magazine, La Civilta Cattolica, said the church does not have to invent a new spirituality for a new generation. It just has to […]