Spirituality
Why a Catholic couple should not marry in a garden
A reader can't understand the rule prohibiting her daughter's intended outdoor wedding, so Father Ken Doyle explains. He also weighs in on the "disruption" of announcements at Mass.
Shortcut to sainthood: Never speaking ill of another, pope says
The Catholic Church's sainthood process is long, complicated and usually requires the recognition of a miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession, Pope Francis said Sept. 11 at his early morning Mass. "But if you find a person who never, never, never spoke ill of another, you could canonize him or her immediately."
Working hard for the pope, but choosing the better part
If it’s hard preparing for a papal visit, imagine Martha's workload when Jesus came to visit. Columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay suggests how her sister Mary, and we, can choose the “one thing.”
Is Marco Rubio’s ‘dual worship’ allowed?
Father Ken Doyle responds to a reader that Sen. Rubio, a presidential candidate, has confessed he is primarily Catholic although he also worships at a Protestant church. Polls show many Catholics do something similar.
Why do some take Communion from priest only?
Father Ken Doyle responds to one reader who sees an uncommon practice at Mass, and to another who wonders about associations of black Catholics.
Come, Holy Spirit, and cool us
Michelle Francl-Donnay catches a cool breeze in a 100-degree day, and wonders what the Spirit of Pentecost has been offering now, long after spring.
The disabled should share in all sacraments
Father Ken Doyle applauds a wife's care, including spiritual, for her disabled husband. Also, Father Doyle addresses why Jesus became incarnate not in the Twitter age.
Busy families can make time for prayer in small ways, pope says
By teaching children how to make the sign of the cross or say a simple grace before meals, the family will be enveloped in God's love, Pope Francis said.
Get to know Jesus in the Gospels, pope advises
Pope Francis called for a moment of silence among thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square and asked them to ponder the question, "Who is Jesus to you?"
Can suicide be forgiven?
Moral judgment over suicide, writes Father Ken Doyle, is best left to God. The church's approach is pity, not condemnation, and the comfort offered by a parish priest to grieving parents had a sound basis.