I’ve also had an absolute conviction, from the moment that his papal name was announced, that this pontificate will have an historical significance to rival that of John Paul II’s, Leo XIII’s, and Pius IX’s.

One of my mom’s sayings was, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” This came to mind as I reflected on the message for this year’s World Communications Day: “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your heart.”

A god to be feared but not loved would be a god who dealt in negatives, but we know that there are no negatives in God, that Creation came into being with the “yes” of his intention, and it is sustained to this very second by that continued affirmation.

Although we might tend to use different vocabulary in pastoral contexts, as Catholics we believe that marriage is at its core an exchange of consent, which is indeed a “contract” in the broad sense of the term.

An interest in life at the Church’s administrative center is fine; an obsession with it, fueled by ill-informed blogs and social media, is not.

Regulations must not be relaxed for the sake of corporate greed, but must be built on the common good of all, including our grandchildren. It’s what our faith teaches, and it’s really as simple as that.

Summer is my favorite time of year, and I am looking forward to being outside more and enjoying longer, slower days. I love everything about summer.

The other day, I watched as my son, who was stuck in a challenging situation, stepped forward to advocate for himself—politely and firmly. He was heard without any apparent criticism, the problem was immediately resolved, and the world continued to turn. It took my breath away. But at 15 and 17, he and his brother […]

Quiet prayer inflames our desire for God. When we desire God alone, we can wisely evaluate those competing desires that come our way, and sort out which are of God and which are not. We can also begin to see ourselves as God and others see us. 

Though the St. Michael prayer is no longer mandated in our post-Vatican II Mass, it can still be a beautiful and spiritually beneficial custom to pray it after the final blessing as a community.