Spirituality
A taxi ride with the Holy Spirit
While sharing a cab with friends, writer Shemaiah Gonzalez learned a life-changing lesson about inviting the third Person of the Trinity more deeply into her daily life.
Even in the 21st century, there’s room for wisdom
More than ever, this gift of the Holy Spirit -- freely given to young and old -- is needed to renew the faithful and inspire them to take right action.
Can you speed up holy Communion?
Father Kenneth Doyle counsels a reader who is concerned that the distribution of the sacrament is taking a long time at Mass. In response to another question, he explains when the Christmas season actually ends.
Life of love begins with baptism, united in Christ
This Sunday’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a time to recommit ourselves to a life of faith in Jesus because we are the adopted daughters and sons of the Father who loves us, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior.
Readings of the Holy Mass: Baptism of the Lord
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.
Become Christ to others, and avert World War III
Jesus is not a "spiritual teddy bear," but a Savior who transformed the violence of his death into the ultimate act of love, writes Gina Christian. Through the Eucharist, we share in his triumph and renew a deeply wounded creation.
Don’t stay indifferent, ‘get your hands dirty’ pope says
It is wrong to hate someone, but it is also wrong to be indifferent, which is a camouflaged form of hatred, Pope Francis said. Love "is expressed by doing good," he said.
Don’t let the devil light ‘fire’ of war in your heart, pope says
During a Jan. 9 homily, Pope Francis said that peace begins in the heart, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers to love others and to build a just, tranquil world.
Life’s trials train Christians to be sensitive to others, pope says
In his Jan. 8 audience, Pope Francis urged listeners to rely on "the energy of faith" amid difficulties, and to have compassion for "the many shipwrecked people in history who come to our shores exhausted."
How often should I go to confession?
Father Ken Doyle answers a reader's question about receiving the sacrament of penance more than once a year, and another's question about banning the use of incense for health reasons.