Spirituality
Make the choice to walk in hope
Columnist Father William Byron, S.J., writes that hope is the pillar of the world. Because of it, the person of hope is a lot stronger than he or she might think.
How to fit pre-Cana prep in a long-distance romance
Father Ken Doyle advises a man who wants to marry a woman from the Philippines back in the U.S. that it might not take a six-month preparation process prior to the Catholic wedding. Also, he suggests teaching children a neglected prayer to God: an act of thanksgiving.
Divisions among Christians are ‘a scandal,’ pope says at audience
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The divisions that exist among Christians are a source of pain and scandal, and damage the credibility and work of spreading the Gospel, Pope Francis said.
After Christmas, now the Ordinary – and the sacred
Michelle Donnay notices that beneath the house dusting and winter vegetables of Ordinary Time, there lies the poetic mysticism of everyday life.
On Christ’s sufferings and the shake of peace
Father Ken Doyle explains how our own sufferings, like St. Paul, join with Christ's sufferings and his mission of redemption. The columnist also answers a question about withholding a handshake at Mass.
Authority in preaching comes from loving like Jesus did, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The authority of Jesus' teaching seemed "new" to the people of his day, not because of its content, but because of the love and respect with which Jesus spoke, Pope Francis said.
Guilt-ridden grandmom wants to baptize grandson herself
Father Ken Doyle sets a well-intentioned woman straight on Catholic education, church law, and the concept of limbo, all over her non-baptized grandson.
Pope Francis: Discern good from bad in ‘flea market’ of desires
"Our heart is always filled with desires, wishes, thoughts," he said, suggesting a simple test to reveal whether a feeling brings one closer to God or drives one further away.
Today’s impractical gift for mother and babe points to a wondrous light
Columnist Michelle Francl-Donnay has an epiphany of how to put the incarnation into practice after the 12th day of Christmas.
Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for January
The pope offers his universal and evangelization prayer intentions for the month.