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.
Patrick Cullinan
Patrick Cullinan is an editorial intern at America.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Why don’t Catholics receive the precious blood from separate cups at Communion?
The precious blood is an important part of Communion, but many people are afraid of the risk of cross-contamination from a shared chalice. Why shouldn’t we simply use separate cups? There are a few reasons.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
I was once adamantly pro-choice. Pro-lifers can learn from my conversion.
Our divisive national politics left me with a bad impression of the pro-life movement. But meeting practical and kind pro-life activists in college made me reconsider my views.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
Jesus is the anti-Augustus Caesar
A Reflection for Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, by Patrick Cullinan
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
The joy of believing in miracles
A Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, by Patrick Cullinan
Posted inFaith, GoodNews
The joy of wearing Catholic socks
Starting with Pope Francis footwear in 2017, Sock Religious now makes and sells products honoring Mother Teresa, St. Ignatius, and all manner of Catholic heroes.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The eucharistic revival should remind Catholics: Communion means working for social justice.
It is my hope that the bishops’ campaign inspires not just an intellectual conversion but a religious conversion, propelling American Catholics to fight for a more just economy and a more Christian society.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
The surprising ease of a true vocation
A Reflection for Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Patrick Cullinan
Posted inArts & Culture, Short Take
The Case for the Classics: Without these ancient texts, our democracy will suffer
A dearth of classical education causes everyone’s education to suffer.