The statistical yearbook noted “a general downward trend in the relative number of baptisms, following closely the trend in the birthrate in most countries.”
Sacraments
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Confession: the underappreciated sacrament we need to build a listening church
It is within the sacred space of the sacrament of reconciliation that someone can come to be heard.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The grace of going through confirmation in college
Many young Catholics I know were compelled to be confirmed by family members who felt the sacrament was important. My situation was the opposite—I was confirmed of my own volition.
Posted inFaith, Vantage Point
Easter—not Christmas—should be the most important Christian holiday
For the early church, the reality of the Resurrection was central, not only in the structure of the liturgical celebration, but also in the pattern of the liturgical year. Easter was the greatest feast of the whole year.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The case against confirming baptized Christians at the Easter Vigil
To receive already baptized Christians into the church at the vigil may be well-intentioned, but liturgically speaking, it is akin to suggesting that the candidates were not actually Christians before being received into the church.
Posted inFaith, News
Retired priest barred from hearing confessions over support for law repealing the confessional seal
Archbishop Listecki said “the false assertions of Father James Connell have caused understandable and widespread unrest among the People of God, causing them to question if the privacy of the confessional can now be violated.”
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The bishops are right: We need a national eucharistic revival. But the current plan isn’t enough.
We need a national eucharistic revival. However, after reviewing materials associated with the National Eucharistic Revival, I am not confident that it will accomplish what it sets out to do.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The spirituality of sacristans: What this often overlooked role has to teach the church
Our task as sacristans is to attend to small acts of care in a world that is too often inattentive and careless.
Posted inFaith, News
New legislation in 3 states would break seal of confession, require priest to report child abuse
House Bill 74 would do away with the privilege in a sacramental confession by requiring priests to report information relating to child abuse and neglect that is shared in a confessional.
Posted inFaith, News
Confession: The Act of Contrition and words of absolution to get new translations starting this Lent
The experience of the sacrament of penance in the Roman rite will be slightly different this Lent, thanks to approved changes in the English translation set to take effect in a few weeks.