What’s in a Name?: The significance and challenge of St. Francis for Pope Francis
At first glance, there are several intuitive and striking similarities between Pope Francis and the saint who inspired his new name. The news coverage of the newly elected pope has focused a lot of attention on these points, including his simple lifestyle and pastoral care of H.I.V./AIDS patients&md
Chile the Beautiful: Jesuit naturalists and the creation of a nation’s historic narrative
Crossing the Andes in the mid-17th century, Alonso de Ovalle, S.J., described the magnificence of the Cordillera as “those mountains sitting on clouds.” He marveled at the “rainbow stretching across the sky” like a crown. In addition to bringing Christianity to Chile, the ear
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
The installation of Pope Francis was light years away from the papal coronations of old.
Letters
Letters
Prayers for the PopeWith grace, courage and humility, Pope Benedict retired from the most difficult job in the world. In our Pope Francis, we already see similar grace and courage—and the humility to descend from his vehicle, on the way to his inaugural Mass at Saint Peter’s, to embrace
Editorials
The Ties That Bind
Women in every social class are choosing to delay marriage. How should the church respond?
Books
The Church in Indochina
When I was a Maryknoll seminarian in the 1950s we all had to read a biography of Blessed now Saint Theophane Venard a priest of the Soci t des Missions trang res de Paris MEP who was martyred in Tonkin now a part of present-day Vietnam in 1861 Published as Modern Martyr the story had
Putting Sex Into Context
Can Scripture speak to contemporary Christian dialogue about sexuality?
Extreme Parenting
Andrew Solomon’s new book is a masterpiece of dogged research and persuasive writing.
Television
Bastards and Broken Things: Salvation and surprise in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’
Salvation and surprise in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’
Poetry
Prayer
“Repeat this prayer 10 times,send it to 15 friends.Within 3 days you will receive a blessingyou have been waiting for.”Who is this God, I wonder, who people thinkhas to be begged, cajoled,and manipulatedinto caring for his children?He is not my God.Still, it makes no sense, what we call
The Word
God’s Gift for All
The Psalmist prays to God ldquo May your way be known upon earth among all nations your salvation rdquo But how will this come to pass Throughout the Old Testament there are clues that someday in some way God rsquo s covenant will be expanded to welcome not just the descendants of Abraham
Columns
Precious Allies
In holding up what is praiseworthy and godly, atheists can be our allies.
Current Comment
Current Comment
Voice of Conscience; George Shultz, Mr. Sunshine; Keystone State
Faith
His Way of Proceeding: How might Jesuit spirituality influence Pope Francis’ papacy?
How might Jesuit spirituality influence, and how has it already influenced, our new pope?
Philosopher's Notebook
A New Consistent Ethic?
The virtue of prudence cannot retire from these debates in the name of freedom alone.
Signs Of the Times
Rallies Cry Out to Congress for Comprehensive Reform
It is not just undocumented immigrants themselves who support reform.
Curia Reform
A new committee will advise Pope Francis on “the government of the universal church.”
A Camp Apart for Christian Refugees
Christians escaping the two-year civil war in Syria will soon have their own humanitarian aid camp, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey reported. The separate camp for Christians is being built near Mor Abraham Syriac Monastery near the Turkish town of Midyat, about 30 miles f
Diminishing Violence In El Salvador
A gang truce has led to a significant drop in El Salvador’s homicide rate.
News Briefs
In an letter to Secretary of State John Kerry on April 11, Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, urged the Obama administration to expedite a review of U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, so the president can sign it in ear
Are Kermit Gosnell’s Crimes Too Horrible to Write About?
The idea is that when the public is informed, violations like this are far less likely to be repeated.
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts