Commentaries
One year later, measuring our gains and losses
It's natural to rush back into the busyness of our old normal, but the lives lost and changed by the COVID pandemic will be a waste if we don't learn from what we gained, writes Greg Erlandson.
A song for Mother Tolton
You've heard of Father Augustus Tolton, the Black priest up for sainthood, but Shannen Dee Williams reveals the remarkable life and Catholic faith of his mother, Martha Jane Chisley Tolton.
Social workers are glue for families, communities
James Amato, head of Catholic Social Services, knows personally how social workers defend the dignity of vulnerable people, and hold everything together in an often tumultuous landscape.
Getting ‘woke’ to confession
Whether it's been weeks, years or decades since your last confession, the opportunity to be at peace awaits in the sacrament, writes Father Thomas Dailey. It brings not the cancellation of culture but its reconciliation.
Who is the modern-day St. Joseph in your life?
Kim Griffin begins a project to hear from readers about the saintly men in their lives during this Year of St. Joseph. She starts with the story of her own dad.
To heal from racism, learn the stories of wounding
Our national divide on racism is widening, writes Gerald Davis, so what better time than Lent for an examination of conscience about this sin? He recounts the evil of racial hatred in his life, and marks the way forward, with God's grace and hope.
Look to St. Joseph to deal with our much-changed world
Keeping a safe distance can lead to isolation, so Immaculate Heart Sister Lorraine Bruno turns in prayer to Jesus and his foster father for protection and to remain hope-filled.
The great unraveling of society is giving way to renewal
A trait of our crumbling culture is that we've lost trust in one another. But Father Eric Banecker sees renewal in the healthy new things people are trying. A renewed church can aid their pursuit of Truth and Goodness.
In year of COVID, a change of era and perhaps growth
Remember where you were a year ago when life changed? Editor Matthew Gambino recalls the changes we faced, and the opportunity now for rethinking our expectations in the church.
Interfaith prayer marked by respect, not relativism
In his recent trip to Iraq, Pope Francis followed the model of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict in respecting one's religious traditions, not sacrificing them, when coming together for prayer with those of other religions, writes Msgr. Gregory Fairbanks of St. Charles Seminary.