Reunions in graveyards October 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary It’s not macabre to love a graveyard. On the contrary, there’s a feeling of continuity, of belonging, of hope in resurrection. It impresses on me the shortness of this earthly journey and the gratitude I have for my loved ones.
Deer in the dusky evening October 3, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Environment As we look forward to St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day on Oct. 4, may we pray to St. Francis for the freedom of simplicity and a renewed commitment to our mother Earth.
Underground railroad September 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Racial Justice Although many Americans were abolitionists, particularly the Quakers, or Friends, it’s scandalous to us now to admit that many Christian churches were complicit in profiteering from slavery, the Catholic Church being no exception.
Entering into Ignatian prayer September 6, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints Ignatian spirituality, a fundamental part of a Jesuit’s life, has become very popular and accessible to lay people since the Second Vatican Council.
The Christ you encounter August 5, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Immigration and Migration The same Jesus who meets us in Scripture and at Mass meets us at the border. If we can’t see him in those desperate people, how do we face him in the Eucharist?
‘What a lucky kid I am’ July 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary If we find ourselves burdened by the worries of the world or the fears of tomorrow, we need to remember that our spirituality calls us to gratitude in the present moment.
Sister Helen Prejean’s work against the death penalty June 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Respect Life Sister Helen Prejean, a dynamic foe of the death penalty, had just spoken to a crowd in a small town in Nebraska as part of our campaign to do away with execution in the state.
Ripley and Rupnik May 16, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Commentary Caravaggio’s victims are long gone. But living, breathing women whose lives have been drastically impacted by Rupnik live on. It’s time to honor them.
Easter and Pentecost April 17, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Easter The time between Easter Sunday and Pentecost is so special, but sometimes I fear we leave the Easter season behind us too quickly.
Asylum and helping the ‘Refugee on the Threshold’ April 6, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Books, Commentary In “Refugee on the Threshold,” Timothy Leacock tells of the long and harrowing journey of a Somalian man whose life was threatened by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab after he applied for a government job.
Angels and ecumenism March 19, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations If you’re of an older generation, you may remember being taught that no one got to heaven outside the Catholic Church. Fortunately, the Second Vatican Council helped us get over this narrow approach to God’s mercy.
Looking for signs and Nineveh March 5, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary It takes spiritual maturity to become the sign rather than, like a hopeful child, demanding one.
