The whole semantic field of ‘tool’ and ‘instrument’ is fraught with negative moral connotations. St. Ignatius’ writings , however, show a different tendency. There, ‘instrument’ both serves as a central spiritual category and bears a positive connotation.
Spirituality
Posted inFaith, Features
What is a Jubilee Year? The history and meaning behind a centuries-old tradition
To understand the significance of the Jubilee and its seven-centuries-old tradition in the Catholic Church, it is necessary first to recall its biblical origins and the historical events that have shaped it.
Posted inFaith, Features
Catholic kitsch: Why simple religious art is actually great
From glow-in-the-dark rosary beads to St. Christopher dashboard statues and Pope Francis bobbleheads, a tribute to the complicated life of Catholic kitsch
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Introducing the female mystics, jagged edges and all
In her new book, “The Mystics Would Like a Word: Six Women Who Met God and Found a Spirituality for Today,” Shannon K. Evans beautifully articulates how the spirituality developed by women mystics still inspires and applies to us today.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
When migrants struggled to find housing in my city, my spiritual training was put to the test
It’s time for a global discernment. This starts with examining ourselves and then taking a long, hard look at the global realities and local realities we might not want to see.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The radical Gospel response to the deep challenges of homelessness: unconditional love
The eyes of faith allowed us to see the people we served as people who shared in the purpose of life we all have been tasked with: to love and be loved.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
Van Gogh’s holy family—and mine
Looking at the Van Goghs we see a few parallels with the Holy Family, who knew humiliation and repudiation.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
This Advent, don’t run away from darkness—spiritual or literal
When both the literal and the spiritual darkness of the world feels overwhelming, we must not turn away.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
My congregation of sisters is devoted to the Sacred Heart. Here’s what we think about Pope Francis’ latest encyclical.
Pope Francis’ encyclicals have drawn from and lead to this truth: What the world needs is heart—not sentimentality, but integration, presence and fortitude to stay in the tensions of our current reality.
Posted inFaith, Your Take
Your Take: the gift of vegetarianism
Our readers weigh in on the value and spiritual benefits of vegetarianism, inspired by the experience of Fr. Francis X. Clooney, S.J.