Spirituality
Bread and wine, or body and blood of Christ?
Father Ken Doyle explains to a reader how the elements of the Eucharist retain their physical properties while becoming Christ's glorified presence. He assures another reader of the fate of miscarried children.
Endure hard times by remembering God’s love, his promise, pope says
Being a Christian, he said, means having encountered Jesus, feeling his love and choosing to believe in his hope and promise.
Love triumphs over rejection for those who live in Christ
Jesus endured disbelief and scorn with complete trust in the Father's faithfulness, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. We can be equally confident as we share in Christ's mission.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Fourth 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.
Priests must be men of joy, pope says at Mass
A priest must be able to see the people around him as his children, as brothers and sisters, and must be willing to risk everything for them out of love, Pope Francis said in his morning homily.
Gut it, rebuild it: Renovations for the way home
We are living stones, and if we're willing to be chiseled and even crushed in love's service, God can rebuild the cracked foundations and crumbling structures of church and society, writes Gina Christian.
Hope wanes in church wounded by sin, pope says
Pope Francis warned that the troubles in the church can lead to a "weariness of hope" and a "gray pragmatism" that "calls into question the viability of our mission in this world." The remedy: return to the deep well of our first love, Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer and the sign of peace at Mass
Part five of a seven-part series of articles and videos on the Mass from our partner Catholic News Service explores two key moments in the liturgy: the Lord's Prayer and the sign of peace.
A circle of praise and petition
The words in which Christ instructed his disciples to pray are an important part of the liturgy, reminding us of our dependence on God and each other.
Beyond a handshake: The profound nature of the sign of peace
The familiar exchange at Mass is not only steeped in contemporary meaning, but profoundly reflective of the whole purpose of Jesus’ ministry and message.