A Time to Lament
Twenty years ago I worked in Zimbabwe. It was a joy. Filling in for a philosophy professor at the major seminary in Chishawasha, not far from the capital city, Harare, I encountered a group of uncommonly eager and bright students, thrilled to discuss the history of the early church, intent on seeing
How Accessible Are the New Mass Translations?
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) proposes the following translated text:
Bless Me, Father
The statistics are alarming. According to the Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate, a survey in 2005 showed that 42 percent of Catholic adults, when asked how often they went to confession, answered Never.
How (Not) to Preach
Most Catholics love to argue. Once you get past the Apostles’ Creed, there are very few things all will agree on. One is that they want to hear good homilies. Unfortunately, Catholics are often disappointed. Here, then, are a few suggestions for preachers, to help them feed the flock of Christ without leaving the people…
What Would Jesus Listen to?
To Hell with the Devil, they proclaimed, dressed in black and yellow spandex, with hair that hung below their shoulders. They stood in that rock star pose that all adolescent boys from the 1980s knew how to emulate: legs apart, leaning back slightly, arms raised triumphantly, with an aggressive and
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
One summer in the early 1920’s, Ms. Lorelei Lee, a resident of Manhattan who had grown up in Little Rock, Ark., made a trip to Europe. This diversion was sponsored by her gentleman friend, Mr. Gus Eisman, known as the Button King of Chicago. During the journey, Ms. Lee kept a diary, which, fortuitously preserved…
Letters
Letters
Understanding the Journey
To Embrace the Other, by Thomas P. Rausch, S.J. (4/16) speaks with clarity and hope. The title itself is hopeful: To Embrace the Other, not To Embrace the Self, which seems to be the problem at times.
Cardinal Walter Kasper is right on target when he says, Either the ecumenism of the future will…
Editorials
Beyond the Blame Game
After President George W. Bush vetoed a spending bill for the Iraq war that included a timetable for withdrawal, he and the Democratic leaders in Congress declared a desire to find common ground to support U.S. forces in Iraq. Such common ground will include recognition of serious mistakes in the postwar strategy.
Faith in Focus
Musings of an Old-Time Confessor
I heard my first confession shortly after my ordination in the summer of 1959. It was a much different era from that of today’s church.
Face to Face
Often he has said that if just one word were to be inscribed on his tombstone, he would like it to be priest. As Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, begins his 91st year on this side of that monument, it is obvious that he means it. Impressively taking…
Books
Transformed in Gods Embrace
The Bible presents many ldquo explanations rdquo for suffering punishment for sin part of the human condition a test of character a discipline to make us better persons an element in God rsquo s mysterious plan and so on But does the Bible contain a distinctively Christ-centered approach to
The Depths of Connection
A book review is meant to give a rough outline of the structure and content of a work some assessment of its merits and a recommendation to those who would most benefit by reading the book Yet as I engage Meeting Mystery and Nathan Mitchell rsquo s exquisite invitation into the realm of Christian
Defending Artistic Freedom
Do not be misled by this book 8217 s title The use of girl here hints at a touch of innocence and na vet that assuredly does not apply to the book 8217 s subject The art journalist Lindsay Pollock 8217 s The Girl With the Gallery reconstructs the life of a groundbreaking and largely…
Film
To Change the World: Michael Apted’s ‘Amazing Grace’
‘Amazing Grace’ attempts to depict Wilberforce’s life while also capturing a sense of the labyrinthine journey of a simple moral issue through the thickets of political intrigue and compromise.
The Word
A Gift to Be Shared
The Greek word for Pentecost literally means ldquo fifty rdquo In the Jewish calendar Pentecost or Weeks takes place 50 days after Passover In the Christian calendar it occurs 50 days after Easter Pentecost marks the end and the goal of the Easter season It celebrates the coming of the Holy
Current Comment
Current Comment
Atheism and the TheologiansWhen Michael Buckley, S.J., presented a copy of his book At the Origins of Modern Atheism to the late Pope John Paul II, the pontiff asked, And who was at the origins of modern atheism? Without hesitation, Father Buckley volunteered, the theologians. His study is an award-
News
Signs of the Times
Freedom Commission Notes Violations in Turkey The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom strongly urged the U.S. government to include concerns regarding Turkey’s religious freedom violations on the U.S.-Turkey bilateral agenda. The United States should urge Turkey to continue its
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts