Ten years into the pontificate of Pope Francis, anecdotes and experiences that different people had with him, and analyses about his theology, his pastoral style, and his magisterium are emerging. We transcribe here the thoughts then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio shared with the Schoenstatt Fathers in Buenos Aires two days before his departure to Rome....
Pope Francis has had many humorous and poignant interactions with children over the last ten years that demonstrate his pastoral emphasis on dialogue and listening. Here are five of my favorite examples of the Pope’s special consideration for children: His response to the little boy whose father had died Francis was visiting a...
Today, we are pleased to announce a new initiative. Pedro Gabriel and Claire Domingues are launching their new Papal Primers Concise Guides. The plan is to create summary guides of the Church’s most relevant and recent documents in a printable format, as an aid for those who may wish to study these documents....
About a dozen years ago, I got into a bit of a dust-up about the Eucharist in the middle of a Lenten prayer group meeting. The readings and reflections for the evening focused on Eucharist and what we believe as Catholics about the Real Presence. As a parish catechist in multiple grades, I...
Last week, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò — the former apostolic nuncio to the United States — published a new open letter, wherein the fugitive churchman welcomes the founding of the “International Movement of Russophiles.” I do not exaggerate when I describe it as the most astounding and bizarre public document created by this...
I first heard of Liz Hansen a couple of years ago when I read her article in Crisis Magazine titled, “Franciscan University and Its Friars Face a Reckoning.” While I didn’t attend Franciscan University as a student, I did attend five Steubenville Youth Conferences when I was in high school and then...
A reflection on the readings for March 19, 2023, the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Click here for the audio version. “Just because we have eyes does not mean we see.” On this the fourth Sunday of Lent, we hear a poignant story about a man born blind who came to see and people...
“Certainly the Reign of God should not be identified or confused with some earthly or political achievement. Nor should it be envisioned as a purely interior reality, one that is merely personal and spiritual, or as a promise that concerns only the world to come.” (scroll down for answer)
Lent invites us to conversion, and the call to conversation can be painful. Worse, it can be embarrassing, especially when it comes from an unlikely source. I’ve recently experienced this myself, regarding a vice I barely even knew I had, which I believe I am now being called to amend. A few weeks...
On some level, he didn’t understand why they’d even let him out of prison if he wouldn’t have a chance to make a life for himself afterward. – Last Place Seen, 70. Few Catholic authors today write crime thrillers with Catholic Social Teaching in mind, and even fewer receive accolades for their efforts. This...
When I was a young child, there was a convent across the street from our elementary school for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) who taught there and worked in the parish. Across the street in the other direction, there was another convent, this one of the Sisters of...
It is well known that Pope Benedict XVI loved music, and that Mozart was his favorite composer. He was also an accomplished pianist and there is no doubt that he was familiar with Mozart’s piano sonatas. There is a saying among pianists that “Mozart’s sonatas are too easy for beginners and too difficult...
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