Commentaries

First-time Marcher finds eye-opening witness to life

Journalist Mary Beth McCauley went to the March for Life in Washington last year and was impressed by the huge numbers of people, overwhelmingly young and happy. They honored motherhood, life and taking a chance on the unseen.

Church needs not reform, but renewal — and it’s happening

There's no running away from the big and little failures in the church, but rather we must see the strong wind of renewal blowing through the church, especially among her young people, writes Father Eric Banecker.

Pro-life movement’s priorities should reflect pro-women focus

Pro-life work becomes more complicated as the prospect of legal protections for unborn children dawns, argues a guest editorial. Imagine a future in which every proposal to defund Planned Parenthood is linked to better funding for pregnant women.

Patching the holes in my bucket list

People stood in the rain on New Year's Eve because they'd always wanted to see the ball drop on Times Square. Maureen Pratt wonders how many would endure hardships in pursuit of more faith-centered goals?

What the Magi teach our joyless, outraged society

The joy of the Magi lasts all year and holds the antidote to a culture of outrage, writes Father Thomas Dailey. Their journey and discovery of the humble Jesus changes everything, for them and for us.

Anger is on the rise, so grasp it at its root

Father Eugene Hemrick advises we dig deeper into our hearts and see how anger is destroying the God-given order for which he created us. It is time to become angry at that which is taking the very heart out of our life.

The U.S. and Holy See in 2018: A worldwide force for good

U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Callista Gingrich tells how the partnership between the two nations, built on a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect, has advanced peace, prosperity and freedom.

It can be messy, but encountering the other leads to hope

January is anything but ordinary, with many important events linked by a theme: a hope-filled and liberating journey that can be taken when we speak with other children of God, writes Sister Constance Veit.

Thank God for the times of our lives

Sister Judith Parsons doesn't like January, with its insincere resolutions. But the memory of her favorite winter scarf offers the resolve to renew a reverence for time past, present and future, and to find God in it.

Journalism as a Catholic issue

Those who report the news often do so at the risk of their reputations and their lives, writes Effie Caldarola. Good journalism, which communicates the truth, promotes justice and freedom in the face of deception and tyranny.