On St. Patrick’s Day, we have the opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contributions to the causes of peace and justice made by the Irish diaspora the world over.
Saints
Posted inFaith, Last Take
Dorothy Day’s ‘Letter to an Agnostic’
From 1934: Servant of God Dorothy Day pens a letter to an agnostic friend on the supposed “morbidness” of religion.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Father James Martin: How I fell in love with Ireland
My trip was short but introduced me to faithful people, powerful history and a beautiful land.
Posted inArts & Culture, News
‘Sober St. Patrick’s Day’: a celebration of Irish culture—minus the alcohol
“Sober St. Patrick’s Day” is set to mark its 13th year of celebrating Irish arts, culture and food—minus the alcohol—following New York’s annual parade for the beloved patron saint of the Irish.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Father Pedro Arrupe: a controversial Jesuit’s bumpy path to sainthood
Pedro Arrupe, S.J., is well on the path to sainthood. So who was he? And why do people have such strong opinions about him?
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
What to do when a saint is racist: Wrestling with St. John of the Cross
It is necessary that we grapple with hard facts, even if it means wearing scars. But let us not yield when confronted with the racism, sexism or other sins of any saint.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Renowned artist Father Bill McNichols on icons, saints and contemplation
A conversation between theologian Christopher Pramuk and iconographer Father William Hart McNichols.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis names Argentina’s first woman saint
In a ceremony at the beginning of Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica this morning, Pope Francis canonized María Antonia de San José de Paz y Figueroa, popularly known as Mama Antula, Argentina’s first female saint.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
As St. Brigid relic returns to Irish Kildare, bishop reminds all of her strong faith, hospitality
Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin said he hoped that the newly returned relic of St. Brigid would inspire people to show hospitality to asylum-seekers, at a time of growing protests about immigration in the country.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Who was St. Brigid—and why is she having a moment in Ireland?
In a country disillusioned with Catholicism, Ireland’s St. Brigid is having a moment.