Spirituality
In yourself and in the Church, look at the good that outweighs the bad
I want you to look in the mirror and tell me what you see. Do you see a generous, giving person that tries hard to be good? Do you see the many sacrifices you've made for others and the noble instincts that have inspired your loving service? In many ways, you are a saint and you don't know it. But before I go on, let me ask another question. Do you also see the dark side of your personality, the part you wouldn't want printed in any newspaper? The truth is that when you look in the mirror, you are looking at both sides of yourself: the good and the bad.
What’s with the unity candle in a Catholic wedding?
Q. I've heard that the Vatican does not approve of the lighting of the unity candle at wedding ceremonies. Is this true? (Albany, N.Y.) A. For those unfamiliar with it, the ritual of the unity candle is sometimes inserted into a Catholic wedding ceremony following the exchange of vows and rings. The bride and groom each take a smaller lighted candle. Using those candles, they together light the larger candle in the middle. That's referred to as the "unity candle."
Our prayer requests help us as much as those we pray for
.
When compassion and fatigue collide at the parish
Every day brings a new parade of mental illness to our rectory door. We see schizophrenia, manic-depression, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, drug addiction and just plain craziness. They come by phone, by car, by foot, by bicycle and by email. Here they come with all their troubles. They dump them at our doorstep and say, "Fix it." The problem is that much of the time we can't fix it.
Time it takes to join the Church depends on the person
Q. I would like to know the appropriate duration for receiving instructions in the RCIA program. Some have told me that it is three years, other say less. (Ibadan, Nigeria) A. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process of education, faith-sharing and rituals for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. […]
Pope says those who love Jesus want to pray
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The more people love Jesus, the more they will want to spend time with him in prayer; and the more they pray, the more they will resemble him, Pope Benedict XVI said. While God always listens to people’s pleas for help and is always ready to respond, “our prayer must first […]
Escaping from prayer as God patiently waits
Does attending SSPX Mass fulfill a Catholic’s Sunday obligation?
Q. I have seen conflicting reports relative to the Masses celebrated by the clergy of the Society of St. Pius X. Their members, it seems, adhere to all the core beliefs of the church but do not agree with some of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. I understand that the Holy Father has lifted the excommunication of the society's bishops. What is the current status of the society, and does attending one of the society's Masses fulfill a Catholic's Sunday obligation? (Sidney, Neb.)
Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer intentions for September
General intention: “That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for the truth.” Mission intention: “That Christian communities may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and lay people, along with concrete resources, to the poorest Churches.” [hotblock]
How many books are there in the Bible?
Q. I have always found your column in the Catholic Star Herald to be interesting, educational and enlightening, but I was confused by a recent reference. In answering a question about Catholics reading the Scriptures, you referred to the 73 books in the Bible: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Admittedly, I am a very old-school Catholic, but in all my years of Catholic education we never had more than 72 books (45 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.) Was another book discovered, unearthed or otherwise approved when I wasn't paying attention? (Camden, N.J.)