In times of reflection, when Francis of Assisi asked himself what would be the most important qualities for his followers to have, he would focus on one or another of the brothers who were already by his side. I, too, have a list of virtues that I prize. Mine, however, is a list of what I want to see in those I have to deal with when I am trying to get things done.
Saints
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
St. Paul, the metaphysical track coach
A Reflection for the Memorial of St. Peter Claver, Priest, by Joe Hoover, S.J.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
America magazine writers who dreamed they saw St. Augustine
Saint Augustine still captures our imaginations 16 centuries after he lived. What is it about this theologian, philosopher, preacher and memoirist that makes him such a perennial favorite?
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
An Irish Jesuit known for practical jokes and wartime heroism is on the path to sainthood
While narrow nationalism fanned the fires of war, Father Willie Doyle, a WWI chaplain, often paid as much attention to wounded German soldiers as he did to those on his own side.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
God loves us—and we’re supposed to love him back. How do you actually do that?
It would have been nice if someone had told me how to go about learning to love God. Because I have discovered that, for most people, it is something that they have to learn.
Posted inFaith, Features
Walking the path of holiness: What I’ve learned from a lifetime of studying saintly lives
In the anniversary edition of All Saints, Robert Ellsberg reveals his background with the saints and how he was inspired by so many ordinary and extraordinary people.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis blesses palliums for 32 new archbishops, tells them to follow the example of Sts. Peter and Paul
In his homily at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 29, Pope Francis called on the 32 new archbishops present to follow the example of Sts. Peter and Paul, whose feast the church celebrates today.
Posted inFaith, Speeches
Pope Francis: All saints face opposition—even within the church
In his general audience, Pope Francis describes the evangelizing spirit of St. Mary MacKillop, who dedicated her life to the intellectual and religious formation of the poor in rural Australia.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis declares Mother Lange, founder of first order of Black U.S. nuns, ‘venerable’
Pope Francis has declared venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, founder of the first Catholic order of African American nuns, and Sister Lúcia dos Santos, one of the children who saw the Fátima vision.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The young nun and Jesuit priest who gave us the Feast of the Sacred Heart
If you are faithful but unsure of yourself; if your heart is broken by a shattered relationship or the loss of a loved one; if you are an energetic young person, looking to set your heart on fire—the Sacred Heart is for you.