James Martin, S.J.

Here is an important nbsp story about which we have heard rumors for the past few days apparently confirmed by National Catholic Reporter nbsp In response to the Apostolic Visitation many women s religious orders are according to NCR nbsp not complying with requests to answer the Vatican ques

Cathy Grossman over at USA Today nbsp isn t so sure about the pre-eminence of that greeting nbsp nbsp We re heading for December when zealous guardians of the Say- Merry Christmas -or-you ll-be-sorry movement will be in their glory defending Christianity from a fictional War on Christmas n

Rejoice always pray without ceasing give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you nbsp 1 Thess 5 161-18 nbsp I know this painting above is nbsp most likely nbsp not historically accurate but I ve always loved it for what it says about the American tr

A good and timely point from Denise Wilkinson the general superior of the Sisters of Providence of St Mary of the Woods St Mother Theodore Guerin s order on the Sisters website here

Two Sundays ago I nbsp had what writers of an earlier era would call a rollicking good time nbsp speaking to nbsp a group of about 500 Catholics on laughter at least I think they were all Catholics–they certainly nbsp got all the Catholic jokes and was nbsp interviewed on the topic by Marykno

A new blessed story courtesy of CNS and afterwards nbsp a reader s research NAZARETH Israel CNS — A newly beatified nun from the Holy Land could serve as an inspiration for Christians who remain there said the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem nbsp The Nov 22 beatification breathes upon us a

Kerry Weber our newest editor has just written a lovely book published by Twenty-Third Publications nbsp called Keeping the Faith Prayers for College Students a marvelous compendium of her original prayers she s a good pray-er obviously and inspiring nbsp quotes from figures ranging from St

If you enjoyed Matt Nannery s article on advice from the Trappists of Genesee Abbey on the recession you might like this lovely video celebrating their 50th year at the Abbey James Martin SJ

nbsp From the Boston Globe nbsp The war of words between the Catholic bishop of Rhode Island and US Representative Patrick J Kennedy escalated yesterday when Bishop Thomas J Tobin criticized him for disclosing a confidential request the prelate made in 2007 to stop receiving Holy Communion be

Here s the story from the London nbsp Times online A Vatican scholar claims to have deciphered the death certificate imprinted on the Shroud of Turin or Holy Shroud a linen cloth revered by Christians and held by many to bear the image of the crucified Jesus Dr Barbara Frale a researcher in t