Spirituality

Lent is time to let go of ‘destructive’ selfishness, pope says

The Lenten season is a reminder for Catholics that overindulgence ruptures communion with God, with others and with creation, Pope Francis said.

Readings of the Holy Mass – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

Does Jesus say ghosts exist?

Catholic teaching doesn't specify if souls can make occasional appearances on earth, but it does prohibit trying to summon the dead, writes Father Kenneth Doyle. He advises a second reader on whether Catholics can participate in Protestant weddings.

Every day is an opportunity to show others mercy

Jesus calls us to share the forgiveness that we ourselves have received from the Father, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. We extend this life-giving mercy to all whom we encounter through concrete acts of charity and support.

Readings of the Holy Mass – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

St. John Paul II: A pope for modern man and an eternal God

Throughout his 27-year papacy, St. John Paul II refocused the church on centering human dignity in the person of Christ. In this set of articles, we explore the pope's first encyclical, "Redemptor Hominis," which outlined this vision for a new millennium.

Amazed by human dignity, St. John Paul II called on church to serve others

Throughout his papacy, St. John Paul II emphasized the need to honor the image of God in each individual. As the bride of Christ, the church must unite itself with every person, especially by serving humanity's poorest and most vulnerable members.

‘Redeemer of man,’ the vision and agenda of St. John Paul II’s papacy

The centrality of Christ and the mystery of the human person were two key themes of St. John Paul II's papacy. In his first encyclical, the pope stressed that understanding humanity meant understanding Christ, and vice versa.

The beatitudes call us to root ourselves in God alone

Like a well-watered tree, the heart centered in the Lord thrives regardless of life's seasons, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. Faith in Christ Jesus and in his resurrection feeds and nourishes us for our earthly journey.

Should one say the rosary during Mass? No, but…

Father Ken Doyle explains the lengths the church goes to encourage active participation in the Mass, which would preclude praying the rosary. But he recognizes that for some people, this is their best prayer.