While May 24 has been celebrated with prayer for and with the church in China every year since 2008, Francis’ message on Sunday comes at the end of a week in which a number of troubling news reports reached the Vatican.

Pope Francis identified three suggestions that are typical of the Holy Spirit: Live in the present. Look to the whole. Put God before yourself.

I derive much of my hope, inner peace and creative inspiration from those saints and prophets who lived in and spoke from the margins outside the white, privileged worlds of power and authority in both church and society.

In an effort to foster a prayerful community in celebration together, America has compiled a list of events that will be updated as the year goes on.

Many dioceses are dropping mask requirements and social distancing rules for fully vaccinated worshippers, relying on an honor system as pandemic restrictions ease further.

The essential Merton is all of these books taken together. Read them all, and in this order, if you can.