Commentaries
The things they carry in Ukraine
For Elise Italiano Ureneck, the images of war in Ukraine evoke those from Vietnam. The refugees and soldiers of this conflict carry burdens of suffering, as did Jesus.
Can a fearful country welcome the new refugees?
John Garvey tries to imagine how a million Ukrainian refugees are being received into homes in Poland. How would they fare in the U.S., where our culture has bred an unhealthy fear of strangers? Still, we're called to receive the stranger as we would Christ.
The tragic descent of conspiracy-theorist Archbishop Viganó
George Weigel notes that the increasingly unhinged missives by the former Vatican nuncio to the U.S. are touting Russian propaganda about Ukraine point for point.
The voices of Ukraine ring out truth
Amid the horrors of Russian invasion, Ukrainians worldwide are breathing new life into words such as "justice," "faith" and "courage," writes Gina Christian. The question is whether we will hear and heed them.
An inside look at Catholic sisters today
Sister of Mercy Renee Yann tells during Catholic Sisters Week how religious sisters are ordinary women living an extraordinary life carrying the love of God to people of the Philadelphia region.
Pillars of Lent show how to live, and share, well
The prayer, fasting and almsgiving -- literally acts of mercy or pity -- that mark our way in Lent are a road map throughout the year for showing compassion, generosity and hope, writes Sarah Hanley.
Time for the human family to change course
Dan Misleh finds that the sacrifices and prayers of Lent make him more mindful of human suffering around the world, and of the narrow window of opportunity we have left to truly address the climate crisis.
What Ukraine’s witness says about America
Our empathy with heroic Ukrainians must lead to more than momentary emotion, observes Greg Erlandson. Americans need to recover a culture of the common good, a concern for the least among us, and to think more about "we" than "I."
From our broken world, ordinary heroes emerge
Whether it's the white-haired lady firing a rifle or a former comedian inspiring his citizens, Ukraine's strife is showing everyone lessons at the start of Lent. In our Lenten practices we answer Jesus' question, Why did you come?
Mercy of God shines through sacrament of penance
Father Eric Banecker, in the last part of his series on Catholic moral theology, reflects on God's forgiveness of our sins, and a priest's awe-inspiring experience of offering spiritual healing as Jesus did.