Of Many Things
What meeting Pope Francis taught me about pastoral care
Pastoralidad is not a normal word in Spanish any more than pastorality is in English. Yet as soon as you hear it, you know what it means, or at least you think you do.
Your Take
Is the Latin Mass more reverent? Our readers respond.
Responses to Kerry Weber’s “Stop saying the Latin Mass is more reverent” were varied, with strong feelings on both sides. These are a selection of reader reactions.
Editorials
Canada’s euthanasia regime: How many more will die in the name of ‘compassion’?
There is a reason the Catholic Church often speaks of abortion and euthanasia together as life issues.
Short Take
What the eucharistic revival means to me as a Catholic convert
Given that so many converts come into the church precisely because they have discovered the Eucharist, it seems sensible we should listen to them especially.
Dispatches
Is the Biden administration ready to respond to a Haitian immigration emergency?
People who hope to escape Haiti’s cholera outbreak and life-threatening insecurity cannot wait for a more welcome climate to emerge in the United States.
As Netanyahu puts his government together, Christians contemplate their future in Israel and the West Bank
Mere “survival should not be the utmost ambition for a people in democratic countries, but rather prosperity and welfare. I believe that Israel is going to be more Jewish and much less democratic, and we’ll all pay the price for that.”
Pope Francis gave the U.N. 7 priorities for ending global poverty. Now, Fordham students are evaluating the world’s progress.
Increased rates of malnourishment, greater discrimination against women and widening restrictions on religious freedom have contributed to a higher rate of material and spiritual poverty worldwide.
Pope Francis appoints a father of two to No. 2 spot at Vatican family office
The appointment of Gleison De Paula Souza as secretary means that now three out of the four senior positions of responsibility at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life are held by laypeople.
Egypt hosts COP27 on climate change: Can Africa’s concerns finally get on the agenda?
“Loss and damage” because of climate change—the idea that the worst affected emerging economies receive compensation from affluent nations that have contributed the most to global warming—has for the first time been included on the agenda.
Features
Our Spiritual Drink: A History of Wine and the Catholic Church
How the Catholic Church—from Jesus to Dom Perignon to modern monks—has helped perfect the art of winemaking
Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more
Pope Francis sits down with America for an exclusive interview on polarization, racism, Ukraine, Vatican-China relations and church teaching on the ordination of women.
Faith and Reason
A brief history of the Catholic Church’s teaching on mercy and sin
A close look at the Catholic moral tradition around sin, mercy and confession shows that it developed from its inception pathways to holiness that were collective, merciful, hospitable, inclusive, exemplary and grace-filled.
Faith in Focus
Parents, ask your children—and yourself—for forgiveness
I hope the lessons I learned in caring for my mother, in forgiving my father, help me to forge a better path forward with my children.
The powerful, prayerful experience of being a remote parishioner
Some people might wonder how I felt so connected to others from afar, but there are many ways that I connected with my parish, and I really felt like I belonged.
Ideas
Why are there so many movies about nuns—and so few about monks?
There are some truly excellent films about monks, with deep insights into the love of God and the nature of sacrifice. But why aren’t there more?
Books
Review: A tribute to a teacher
In his latest novel, Julian Barnes returns to his strategy of merging history, fiction and memoir to pay tribute to a beloved teacher.
Review: When France invaded Mexico—and tried to impose a Catholic monarchy
For a brief period in the 19th century, Mexico was ruled by a Hapsburg prince installed by France and named emperor. The story is told brilliantly in Edward Shawcross’s new history, ‘The Last Emperor of Mexico.’
Review: What Marshall McLuhan can teach us in the age of digital media
Marshall McLuhan’s media theories proved prophetic for the age of mass communications—and his religious beliefs played a role in his theories.
Review: The sexual revolution has hurt both men and women. Where do we go from here?
Louise Perry’s argument against the sexual revolution raises a difficult question for readers: Given the fraught situation in which the sexual revolution has left many women and men, where do we go from here?
Review: Understanding Pope Francis’ teaching about the spiritual value of time
Too many of us are attracted to a “spatial” life because we can control spaces and stop them from changing. But time, even when managed, is always beyond our control. In his new book, James K. A. Smith seeks to reorient us to the reality of human life as temporal.
Poetry
St. Teresa’s Pillow
if this is how you treat your friends
Coalsack Nebula
I am always imploring you to tell me, beloved, if you have left me forever?
Last Take
A post-Roe field hospital
We need to lead a revolution of mercy—and truth.
Faith
Parents, ask your children—and yourself—for forgiveness
I hope the lessons I learned in caring for my mother, in forgiving my father, help me to forge a better path forward with my children.
Is the Latin Mass more reverent? Our readers respond.
Responses to Kerry Weber’s “Stop saying the Latin Mass is more reverent” were varied, with strong feelings on both sides. These are a selection of reader reactions.
A brief history of the Catholic Church’s teaching on mercy and sin
A close look at the Catholic moral tradition around sin, mercy and confession shows that it developed from its inception pathways to holiness that were collective, merciful, hospitable, inclusive, exemplary and grace-filled.
What the eucharistic revival means to me as a Catholic convert
Given that so many converts come into the church precisely because they have discovered the Eucharist, it seems sensible we should listen to them especially.
What meeting Pope Francis taught me about pastoral care
Pastoralidad is not a normal word in Spanish any more than pastorality is in English. Yet as soon as you hear it, you know what it means, or at least you think you do.
Our Spiritual Drink: A History of Wine and the Catholic Church
How the Catholic Church—from Jesus to Dom Perignon to modern monks—has helped perfect the art of winemaking
The powerful, prayerful experience of being a remote parishioner
Some people might wonder how I felt so connected to others from afar, but there are many ways that I connected with my parish, and I really felt like I belonged.
Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more
Pope Francis sits down with America for an exclusive interview on polarization, racism, Ukraine, Vatican-China relations and church teaching on the ordination of women.
Pope Francis gave the U.N. 7 priorities for ending global poverty. Now, Fordham students are evaluating the world’s progress.
Increased rates of malnourishment, greater discrimination against women and widening restrictions on religious freedom have contributed to a higher rate of material and spiritual poverty worldwide.
Pope Francis appoints a father of two to No. 2 spot at Vatican family office
The appointment of Gleison De Paula Souza as secretary means that now three out of the four senior positions of responsibility at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life are held by laypeople.
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts