Good preaching requires mastery of rhetoric, particularly the tools of repetition and organization, says John Baldovin, S.J. But also, he adds with hyperbolic emphasis, “you have to read, read, read, read, read and pray, pray, pray, pray, pray.”
Liturgy
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The Annunciation should be a holy day of obligation
Shouldn’t we all be going to Mass on the day that marks when God took on human flesh?
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of Christian life. What does that really mean?
Is our intense focus on the form of liturgical celebration placing a disproportionate emphasis upon the Eucharist as the summit of Christian life?
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal Dolan on St. Pat’s funeral for transgender activist: ‘I think our cathedral acted extraordinarily well’
Despite the irreverent “homecoming” funeral for actor and author Cecilia Gentili not going as planned, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said he believes the “cathedral acted extraordinarily well.”
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Meet a woman who teaches priests to preach
Karla Bellinger teaches and coaches preachers—mostly ordained Catholic men—to give effective homilies. “Effective preaching is like good butter sinking into warm toast,” she says. “You’ve gotta give the Holy Spirit a little bit of time to do some work.”
Posted inFaith, Of Many Things
The gift of doing the same thing every day
There is a profound grace in submitting ourselves to a rhythm of time that we do not control.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
The Vatican chief liturgist’s message for Lent
Cardinal Arthur Roche leads the Vatican department responsible for governing the church’s liturgical practices and sacramental rites.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: What’s the deal with Holy Days of Obligation?
Why do Catholics celebrate holy days of obligation? Should we?
Posted inFaith, Speeches
Full Text: Pope Francis on the importance of liturgical reform
“The scope of liturgical reform…is precisely to bring to life the kind of formation of the faithful and ministry of pastors that will have their summit and source in the liturgy.”
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The Synod on Synodality called for better liturgy. Will anyone listen?
We will have to endure the current flawed translation of the Roman missal unless liturgists, priests and people in the pews support the synod’s call for change.