Question Corner: Can I receive Communion even if I didn’t attend the whole Mass? September 9, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Question Corner Q: I’m a Catholic working at a funeral home and assisting at many Catholic funerals. I’m not always in the church for the entirety of Mass. I’m sometimes out during the Gospel and homily or after Communion since I’m helping with the arrangements. Since it’s not fulfilling my Sunday obligation, is it still OK for me to receive Communion to offer up for the deceased if I’m not there for the entire Mass? (Illinois)
Fellowship renewed September 8, 2026By Carole Norris Greene Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Black Catholic Ministry, Commentary Some may never meet Deacon Woodus, but they’d be sharing his mission, which includes helping to meet the charges laid out in Archbishop Lori’s pastoral reflections “The Enduring Power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence” and “The Journey to Racial Justice: Repentance, Healing and Action.”
Remembering 9/11 September 7, 2026By Archbishop William E. Lori Catholic Review Filed Under: 9/11, Charity in Truth, Commentary, Feature Twenty-five years ago, I was the newly installed Bishop of Bridgeport, Conn. I was still learning the rhythm of my new diocese – its priests, its people and its parishes – when routine meetings called me away to Washington, D.C., for a conference. It concluded Sept. 10, 2001. I flew back to the New York area with two friends, looking forward to spending the following day together.
The gift of a smile September 5, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window If you knew Jeff Nattans, you must remember his smile. He was always pleasant, always upbeat, and always eager to connect with people around him.
Question Corner: Why wasn’t Jesus clearer in making St. Peter head of the Church? September 4, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: In the Gospel’s account of Peter’s confession of Christ, Jesus responded with: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if Jesus would have skipped the wordplay and simply said: “Peter, I’m making you the first head of my Church.” The verse as is, seems subject to a lot of interpretation. When I was Protestant we all said that the verse implied that the Church would be built on a general confession of Christ, and Peter’s was but one example. Could you comment? (Indiana)
A great teacher and a welcome manifesto September 2, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Schools, The Catholic Difference Reluctant as I am to fiddle with the U.S. Constitution, I’m willing to consider an amendment banning any elementary school from opening before Labor Day.
Memento mori September 1, 2026By Greg Erlandson OSV News Filed Under: Commentary I wonder if you can tell the age of a person by the number of dead people’s phone numbers he still has saved on his phone? It could be like judging the age of a tree by the rings on its core.
Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty? August 31, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: I know officially the Catholic Church is against the death penalty, but what about Genesis 9:6? A: It looks like there are two dimensions to your question: the Church’s teaching on the death penalty, and how we are to read the Old Testament as Catholics.
The girl on the diving board: A back-to-school reflection August 30, 2026By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I hope whatever this new school year brings for our young people and their families, they know God is with them. And I hope they find joy in being brave.
Dolly, we will always love you August 25, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window As Dolly Parton once said, “I like trying to make people happy and lift people up and glorifying God. That’s my mission in life.”
Parents, please stop tormenting your kids for clicks! August 25, 2026By Elizabeth Scalia OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, social media In my youth I knew a mother who played cruel “jokes” on babies. With a little one seated on her lap, she would temptingly show a biscuit or a candy, and — just as the excited infant leaned forward, arms and legs churning, mouth open — she would devour it, with a laugh.
A journey toward Christ and vocation August 22, 2026By Gryffen Atkinson Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary, Vocations Leaving Quo Vadis, I felt a calling and a mission. For several years, I had been discerning a vocation to the priesthood, but that call often seemed to come more from my mind than from my heart. Through this retreat and the experiences I encountered there, that changed
