Many young Catholics I know were compelled to be confirmed by family members who felt the sacrament was important. My situation was the opposite—I was confirmed of my own volition.
Faith in Focus
Posted inArts & Culture, Faith in Focus
Balenciaga Pope: What an A.I.-generated puffer coat reveals about Francis’ appeal
Pope Francis didn’t wear Balenciaga. I can’t imagine he ever will. But if we keep our eyes peeled, it won’t be long before we see him do something just as eye-popping to reveal once again to us the challenging, merciful love of God.
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The case against confirming baptized Christians at the Easter Vigil
To receive already baptized Christians into the church at the vigil may be well-intentioned, but liturgically speaking, it is akin to suggesting that the candidates were not actually Christians before being received into the church.
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Pope Francis’ hospitalization actually gave me hope for the Catholic Church
I was pleasantly surprised to realize that amid all the polarization and turmoil found online among Catholics, we can still come together to pray for an old man who happens to be our pope.
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Praying for a child who has left the faith? Join the St. Monica club.
The St. Monica Ministry is composed mostly of mothers but welcomes anyone who wishes to meet regularly to pray for people who have left the Catholic Church.
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A Prayer for Pope Francis During his Hospitalization
As Francis faces this new illness, help the doctors and nurses who care for him, help him to bear any pain with grace and help him to heal quickly.
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What Catholics can learn from Adam Sandler’s misfit heroes
I’ve been thinking about Adam Sandler’s body of work as a whole, and I’ve realized that the kind of characters he often plays may have something to teach us about, well, Jesus.
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The spirituality of sacristans: What this often overlooked role has to teach the church
Our task as sacristans is to attend to small acts of care in a world that is too often inattentive and careless.
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What Catholic women need to hear from Pope Francis—and what they don’t
We have a ways to go before our church reaches equality. But I refuse to allow my faith to stall until the Holy Father catches up to the Holy Spirit.
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Pope Francis has done many great things. But on sex abuse, he hasn’t done enough.
With Pope Francis’ papacy reaching its 10-year mark, what we have right now is a church that talks endlessly about openness and welcome, but the front steps feel hopelessly broken down. Who will fix them?