In my first article on this topic, I made the historical and liturgical case for standing, which is the normative posture for receiving Holy Communion in the United States. Several readers pressed back from various angles. Rather than rehearse those exchanges, I want to explore the deeper question that the first article opened but...
I am a descendant of Elder William Brewster and his wife, Mary. Elder Brewster was the spiritual leader of the Pilgrims, one of the first Europeans to set foot in New England, and a signer of the Mayflower Compact. As was typical of women throughout much of history, his wife Mary’s claim to...
The Catholic Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life extends beyond the issues most commonly associated with the pro-life movement. The Church’s teachings on human life, from its opposition to the death penalty and abortion to its defense of the rights of migrants and refugees, is grounded in respect for the dignity...
In my first article on this topic, I made the historical and liturgical case for standing, which is the normative posture for receiving Holy Communion in the United States. Several readers pressed back from various angles. Rather than rehearse those exchanges, I want to explore the deeper question that the first article opened but...
I am a descendant of Elder William Brewster and his wife, Mary. Elder Brewster was the spiritual leader of the Pilgrims, one of the first Europeans to set foot in New England, and a signer of the Mayflower Compact. As was typical of women throughout much of history, his wife Mary’s claim to...
The Catholic Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life extends beyond the issues most commonly associated with the pro-life movement. The Church’s teachings on human life, from its opposition to the death penalty and abortion to its defense of the rights of migrants and refugees, is grounded in respect for the dignity...
On Thursday, March 5, the Shawn Ryan Show — one of the highest-rated podcasts today and hosted by former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Shawn Ryan — will release an episode featuring Fr. Chad Ripperger, the traditionalist Catholic priest and exorcist who has built a massive online following through appearances on far-right Catholic YouTube shows, podcasts, and...
Note: This essay was written in the weeks between the Minneapolis killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. It was crafted as a personal meditation from the perspective of three mothers – the author herself, Renee Good, and Mary, the Mother of God. Honoring the integrity of the essay’s original intent, we...
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Katharine Drexel, the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropy. As we continue through this week focusing on the situation faced by immigrants in the United States, it is worth pausing to reflect on the ways that Drexel’s life can offer us wisdom as we...
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. have issued an amicus brief for a Supreme Court case on birthright citizenship that will be heard on April 1, 2026. An amicus brief is information or expertise that is provided to the courts by a party that is...
In his new Wednesday catecheses on Vatican II, Pope Leo XIV has unpacked one of the Council’s most important documents: Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. But this isn’t just a theological deep dive. At the heart of Leo’s teaching is something deeply personal: revelation is not merely information handed down...
“For in fire gold is tested, and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation” (Sir 2:5). This metaphor is simple: the real and true can withstand the furnace. It also brings to mind another saying made popular by US president Harry S. Truman: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the...
Note from WPI: Given the importance of addressing the recent U.S. Immigration response, we have decided to dedicate this first week of March to highlighting the current situation in the U.S. and to discussing the Catholic response. We have chosen to begin the week with this thought provoking piece by new contributor, Brendan...
Therefore, obedience to the doctrine of the Second Vatican Council is obedience to the Holy Spirit, that is given to the Church, to remind each age of history everything that Christ himself said, to teach all things to the Church. Obedience to the Holy Spirit expresses itself in the authentic carrying out of...
Note: Some names have been altered to protect the individuals involved in this article. For Lila, the racism started in the third grade. After an older boy repeatedly made hurtful comments about the color of her skin, Lila began telling her mother, “I don’t want brown skin,” and “I don’t want to be...
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