Spirituality
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.
Generous service brings abundant blessings, pope says
God accomplishes great things when Christians cast aside doubt and generously place themselves in his service, Pope Francis said.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Fifth 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.
Life has meaning when given with love to others, pope says in homily
A life lived selfishly, corruptly or filled with hate is a life that is useless, shrivels up and dies, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.
The wisdom of excommunication, and of 10-minute homilies
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader's question about how excommunicating a politician (i.e., New York's governor) works, and Pope Francis' call for brief homilies and attentive listeners.
Poverty, humility needed to heal wounded hearts, pope says
Those who proclaim the Gospel must embrace humility and poverty to give an authentic witness to faith and not use others to climb the ladder of success, Pope Francis said.
Changed by Mass, we are sent to transform the world
The final installment of a seven-part series on the Mass looks at how the Eucharist equips us for service to God and one another as missionary disciples of Christ.