Spirituality
Prayer, not resistance, must be response to God’s surprises, pope says
God, who created the world, continues to work in it, surprising people and making some of them nervous, Pope Francis said.
We seek safety and security but they’re only found in Jesus
From external threats such as crime or internal doubts and temptations, we rely for protection on Christ as the gate for the sheep, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior in his reflection on this Sunday’s liturgy.
Readings of the holy Mass — Fourth Sunday of Easter
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Holy Spirit can change everything radically, if we let him
The coming of the spirit like "a strong driving wind" at Pentecost can give us the strength to approach things differently, face challenges and take actions, writes Maria-Pia Negro Chin.
How did the Jews and Romans react to Jesus’ resurrection?
In answering a reader's question, Father Ken Doyle points to the strongest proof of the resurrection: not an empty tomb, but the living witness of Christ's first followers.
Designing a house of prayer: The art of the church architect
The sacred and the structural must work together to encourage participation in the liturgy, as demonstrated by the open style of St. John's Abbey and University Church in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Lectio divina: Discovering art as an aid to worship
In "lectio divina," or spiritual reading, sacred images can serve as "visual texts" through which we can discern the divine in our hearts.
Pastor and painter: Finding faith in the stillness among the ruins
When an American pastor is posted to a parish in the former Soviet Union, his painting hobby becomes a vital tool in learning how to understand and minister to his new flock.
Sacred art: Gazing at God through images and architecture
Stained glass, sculpture, even a simple holy card can draw people more deeply into God's presence. Our package of stories offers reflections and teaching on the power of images to enhance prayer and worship.
In the journey to Emmaus, a parallel for the Mass
In his commentary on this Sunday's Mass, Msgr. Joseph Prior shows how the disciples’ walk with Jesus after the resurrection mirrors our liturgy today, and the similar response to which it calls us.