Ms. Cook said she often witnessed individuals climbing the rickety wooden steps leading up to the memorial. “It was the saddest thing you’ve ever seen. You just wanted to cry,” she said, recalling the mothers, in particular, mourning the loss of their dead sons.

What is it about habits and cassocks that capture the imagination of even secular audiences?

"I think that the terms gay and lesbian, L.G.BT. should be respected.... People should be called the way that they want to be called rather than us coming up with terms that maybe we’re more comfortable with.”

It is not always as easy spiritually to receive Communion as it is physically.

Let the conversation continue.

Daniel J. Morrissey reviews "Sex and the Constitution" by Geoffrey R. Stone.

The laypeople were the experts—the ones who live the challenges of family life every day—at the San Diego synod responding to Pope Francis' “Amoris Laetitia."

This is the 70th year the event has been held, modeled on similar blessings back in Portugal.

Father James Martin's new books talks clearly and openly about an issue that daunts and taunts our church.