Spirituality
Before beginning Lenten retreat, pope cites need for silence, prayer
Pope Francis said retreats should renew the faith of participants, transforming their ministry and their relationships with others.
Confession is good for everyone, even priests
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader's question about how often a priest should go to confession -- like anyone, as often as possible, he says. Also, he hears how at one church non-Catholics were mentioned in the litany of saints at Mass.
Sing the broken, cold, light-filled and holy ‘alleluia’
Spirituality columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay knows the church won’t officially sing “alleluia” during Lent. But she advises us to sing perhaps the world’s oldest song of praise for the Lord at every moment of life.
Prayers offered for peace in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia invites everyone to pray the following prayers and petitions.
After abusive marriage she’s divorced and happy; can she date again?
A woman was married unhappily in a non-denominational church. Now she is single and content to pray and read the Bible. But if she wants to date, is it OK? Columnist Father Ken Doyle lays out her options.
Go directly to confession, don’t wait, pope says at audience
"If a lot of time has passed, don't lose even one more day. Go," Pope Francis said Feb. 19, promising that "the priest will be good. Jesus will be there and he's even nicer than the priest."
She invited three to stand as godparents — now what?
Father Ken Doyle devises a creative work-around to a woman's awkward dilemma of having too many Catholic and non-Catholic sponsors for her adult Catholic baptism.
Going to Mass should be a life-changing event, pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist should make a difference in the way Catholics live, Pope Francis said; they should be more accepting of others and more aware of their sinfulness.
Why watch ‘morally offensive’ movies?
Father Ken Doyle answers one reader's question about whether it's OK to watch certain movies, and another question about children bringing toys to church. Don't get him started on Cheerios in church cushions.
Blessed are the losers, at least by worldly standards, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The "poor in spirit," the pure and the merciful, whom Jesus described as "blessed," are the same people the world considers to be "losers," Pope Francis told Catholic young people.