A call for peace December 18, 2025By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary While the wisdom of Leo’s message on peace will be considered above all for its ramifications on international affairs, it can pertain to the church, too.
Readers share family favorites for our season of stories December 18, 2025By Laura Kelly Fanucci OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary This is exactly what the best stories tell us. Who we are, whose we are, and what we are called to be. What a gift that we all share the best story: The hope that will ultimately bring us home.
The German bishops’ conference, over the cliff December 17, 2025By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, The Catholic Difference It is tragic that this abandonment of theological sanity and pastoral responsibility coincides with the 60th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, in which German bishops and theologians (including the future Pope Benedict XVI) played significant roles.
Question Corner: Will the Catholic Church have women deacons? December 17, 2025By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner While we should not expect to see women literally ordained alongside male diaconate candidates, the question of deaconesses in general is a complex and multifaceted one with many positive implications.
The charity of Jane Austen December 16, 2025By Christopher Blum OSV News Filed Under: Books, Commentary The Catholic reader of Jane Austen’s novels should find them to be dramas of conscience. Her heroines are women of thoughtfulness and integrity.
The Advent the church collapsed December 15, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Commentary Whatever your memories are at Christmas, give them to God, who has them already, and treats them all with tenderness and mercy. God will help us do the same.
Then and now December 15, 2025By Carole Norris Greene Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Commentary, Immigration and Migration, Racial Justice Slavery that was legal centuries ago is considered an abomination today. All the more reason not to categorize all situations regarding immigrants as either black or white. There are complicated areas in between, areas as gray as that early morn in Bethlehem when hope was born, giving way to a brighter dawn for all who tenaciously cling to hope for peace.
Scripture series by popular Catholic speaker offers deep dive into the person of Jesus December 11, 2025By Cecilia Cicone OSV News Filed Under: Books, Commentary Meg Hunter-Kilmer breaks open the meaning of the Scriptures in light of Christ as the fulfillment of all prophecies in her latest book, “Eyes Fixed on Jesus.”
How about a little Old Bay on your Advent December 11, 2025By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window In an era where we’re not producing the penny anymore, returning Old Bay to its original metal canister somehow feels reassuring.
Rome and the Church in the U.S. December 10, 2025By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Bishops, Commentary, The Catholic Difference The bishops speak in the public square on a host of issues, and they do so with the voice of public reason, not as “culture-warriors” (another silly epithet applied to them by bears of little brain).
Question Corner: When can Catholics sing the Advent hymn ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?’ December 10, 2025By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Commentary, Question Corner The church does not have any explicit rule about when the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” can be sung. In principle, it’s perfectly allowed to sing this throughout Advent. However, I think I can guess why your choir director wants to hold off on using this hymn until later in the season.
A steady light: Pope Leo XIV’s top five moments of 2025 December 9, 2025By Elizabeth Scalia OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Vatican Leo’s papacy, of nine months gestation, has revealed itself slowly — full of hope but also hidden, as though the first pope from the United States meant to show himself in small, unhurried measures.
