LIVING THE CATHOLIC FAITH IN THE 3RD MILLENIUM
A LAYMAN'S LOOK AT THE JOURNEY OF FAITH
Spiritual Life/Prayer
CATHOLICS NEED TO MOVE BEYOND THE CATECHISM AND DEVELOP THEIR 'PRAYER LIFE', POPE SAYS
Pope advocates deeper relationship with Christ through regular prayer, silent adoration and being conscious of sinfulness.
Pope advocates deeper relationship with Christ through regular prayer, silent adoration and being conscious of sinfulness.
CHURCH NEEDS AN 'AWAKENING OF THE SOUL'
Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr said that unless Christians rediscover the "bigger heart" and "bigger mind" of the mystical and contemplative tradition, the church will be unable to make positive change in the world -- or reform itself.
Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr said that unless Christians rediscover the "bigger heart" and "bigger mind" of the mystical and contemplative tradition, the church will be unable to make positive change in the world -- or reform itself.
DOUBT AS A SIGN OF FAITH
If we don’t accept both the commonality and importance of doubt, we don’t allow for the possibility of mistakes or misjudgments.
If we don’t accept both the commonality and importance of doubt, we don’t allow for the possibility of mistakes or misjudgments.
ENERGIZING SOULS
William O'Malley, S.J. argues that if we want the next generation to be spiritually adult, then parents, teachers and pastors have to rediscover their own spirits.
William O'Malley, S.J. argues that if we want the next generation to be spiritually adult, then parents, teachers and pastors have to rediscover their own spirits.
GATHERING THE GRACES OF OUR SECULAR SAINTS
As we come to the end of this [year], it might be worth our while to take some time with those for whom we mourn — to listen to their music, read their work or their biographies, watch their films and try to gather up for ourselves some of the graces they gave us.
As we come to the end of this [year], it might be worth our while to take some time with those for whom we mourn — to listen to their music, read their work or their biographies, watch their films and try to gather up for ourselves some of the graces they gave us.
GOD IN THE DETAILS
It is in the nitty gritty details of it all that God is not less real, but more real. Gerard Manley Hopkins observed that the Son of God became locked into the ordinary world. He who was great focused on what was small.
It is in the nitty gritty details of it all that God is not less real, but more real. Gerard Manley Hopkins observed that the Son of God became locked into the ordinary world. He who was great focused on what was small.
HAPPY ARE THE SPIRITUAL
A recent study suggests that people who are spiritual — religious or not — are a major part of the glue that holds a community together.
A recent study suggests that people who are spiritual — religious or not — are a major part of the glue that holds a community together.
HOW CAN I LIVE OUT MY FAITH AT WORK?
You don’t need to have an openly religious job for your faith to be relevant. Any honest and upright work is holy, and an opportunity to grow closer to God.
You don’t need to have an openly religious job for your faith to be relevant. Any honest and upright work is holy, and an opportunity to grow closer to God.
LET'S CHALLENGE OUR PRESUMPTIONS OF HUMILITY, TRADITION
The topic is about as counter-cultural as one might get given the zero-sum nature of our politics and the culture-war approach many take toward faith. It's win or lose, victory or humiliation.
The topic is about as counter-cultural as one might get given the zero-sum nature of our politics and the culture-war approach many take toward faith. It's win or lose, victory or humiliation.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
If I love all the selves housed within me, including the flawed, human, insecure ones, then why would I need to hate you?
If I love all the selves housed within me, including the flawed, human, insecure ones, then why would I need to hate you?
MERCY ISN'T A CHURCH THING
IT'S WHAT FAMILIES DO EVERY DAY - If God is love and love is mercy, which seem to be two keys ideas of the teaching of Pope Francis, then mercy is all around us.
IT'S WHAT FAMILIES DO EVERY DAY - If God is love and love is mercy, which seem to be two keys ideas of the teaching of Pope Francis, then mercy is all around us.
NOT SETTLING FOR LESS
Hope has been called the forgotten virtue of our time. Although we live in an era of considerable technological and scientific achievements, it may also be an age of diminished hope.
Hope has been called the forgotten virtue of our time. Although we live in an era of considerable technological and scientific achievements, it may also be an age of diminished hope.
NUNS AND NONES; UNLIKELY PARTNERS TACKLE THE BIG QUESTIONS
Global Sisters Report starts a three-part series on "Nuns and Nones," a movement that is bringing together experienced Catholic sisters and nonreligious millennials who share a passion for social justice, community and contemplation.
Global Sisters Report starts a three-part series on "Nuns and Nones," a movement that is bringing together experienced Catholic sisters and nonreligious millennials who share a passion for social justice, community and contemplation.
PARISH COMMUNITY AND THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
The parish exists to help individuals carry out the mission that Jesus proclaimed; namely, to proclaim the kingdom of God and to become living examples of Christ in service to God and to one another.
The parish exists to help individuals carry out the mission that Jesus proclaimed; namely, to proclaim the kingdom of God and to become living examples of Christ in service to God and to one another.
SACRED INWARDNESS
Why ‘secularism’ has no meaning. Secular is a term used within Catholicism to distinguish the world from the church, but the influence of the biblical insistence that God made the world and that he loves it seems to be very strong among religious traditions now.
Why ‘secularism’ has no meaning. Secular is a term used within Catholicism to distinguish the world from the church, but the influence of the biblical insistence that God made the world and that he loves it seems to be very strong among religious traditions now.
THE BRUISED AND BLOODIED CHURCH WILL BE REBORN - OR IT WON'T
'Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.' In the shared simplicity of that clinging, the church will be reborn, the ideological divisions crossed, the wounds turned to scars. Or not.
'Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.' In the shared simplicity of that clinging, the church will be reborn, the ideological divisions crossed, the wounds turned to scars. Or not.
THE SAINTLINESS OF FRED ROGERS
If we had Protestant saints, Dietrich Bonhoeffer might be the first one, and Martin Luther King Jr. might be next. But after that could come Fred Rogers, the still, small voice of love and truth, crying out in the television wasteland.
If we had Protestant saints, Dietrich Bonhoeffer might be the first one, and Martin Luther King Jr. might be next. But after that could come Fred Rogers, the still, small voice of love and truth, crying out in the television wasteland.
TODAY'S CHURCH; MORE CATHOLICS, FEWER RECEIVING SACRAMENTS
A new report mapping the Catholic Church’s more than 1.2 billion souls — on track to reach 1.64 billion by 2050 — holds some surprises.
A new report mapping the Catholic Church’s more than 1.2 billion souls — on track to reach 1.64 billion by 2050 — holds some surprises.
WHERE THERE IS PAIN, THERE IS GOD
The presence of suffering is the one thing that most challenges our faith. Human suffering will always be a mystery. But the presence of God will always reach deeper, further, and wider.
The presence of suffering is the one thing that most challenges our faith. Human suffering will always be a mystery. But the presence of God will always reach deeper, further, and wider.
YOUR LIFE IS NOT ABOUT YOU
One reason we Christians have misunderstood many of Jesus’ teachings is that we have not seen Jesus’ way of education as that of a spiritual master.
One reason we Christians have misunderstood many of Jesus’ teachings is that we have not seen Jesus’ way of education as that of a spiritual master.
GOD CALLS YOU TO BE PRIEST, PROPHET AND LEADER
As Catholics, our call is "to live as a member of the body of Jesus. We carry out that life by being priest, prophet and leader." That's a tall order. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton explains how we can do it.
As Catholics, our call is "to live as a member of the body of Jesus. We carry out that life by being priest, prophet and leader." That's a tall order. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton explains how we can do it.
THE SACRED TENSION OF SOLITUDE
Just as each of us is made for togetherness, we all are made for solitude. This is a sacred tension of religious vocation. Let the silence teach you who are, and who you are meant to be.
Just as each of us is made for togetherness, we all are made for solitude. This is a sacred tension of religious vocation. Let the silence teach you who are, and who you are meant to be.
OUR DIFFERENCES WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR FUTURE
Benedict's second principle is crucial for nourishing a better tomorrow
Benedict's second principle is crucial for nourishing a better tomorrow
SPIRITUALITY IN TIME OF DISRUPTION
Perspectives on how the current era of growing economic anxiety and increasing religious disaffiliation affects our traditional understandings of spiritual practice, and what may emerge to support, displace, or replace them.
Perspectives on how the current era of growing economic anxiety and increasing religious disaffiliation affects our traditional understandings of spiritual practice, and what may emerge to support, displace, or replace them.
EVERYONE IS IN
It’s easy to create unity by being against something or someone — by assigning a scapegoat. It’s difficult to create unity by being prepared to be the person who the others are going to throw out.
It’s easy to create unity by being against something or someone — by assigning a scapegoat. It’s difficult to create unity by being prepared to be the person who the others are going to throw out.
MODERN SOCIETY DOESN’T HAVE A CRISIS OF FAITH; IT HAS A CRISIS OF LOVE
Faith by itself is dead... Faith motivated by love, however, will want fulfillment and realize its need for a relationship with God.
Faith by itself is dead... Faith motivated by love, however, will want fulfillment and realize its need for a relationship with God.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ST. FRANCIS, AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR SAINT?
How did this upstart from Assisi become a beloved saint?
How did this upstart from Assisi become a beloved saint?
THE BLACK HOLE PHOTO
A reminder that the are are some holy things beyond our vision: the closest we’ll ever come to a photograph of God.
A reminder that the are are some holy things beyond our vision: the closest we’ll ever come to a photograph of God.
FINDING OUR LIFE
Mystical experience connects us and just keeps connecting at ever-wider levels, breadths, and depths, “until God can be all in all.”
Mystical experience connects us and just keeps connecting at ever-wider levels, breadths, and depths, “until God can be all in all.”
WHAT DOES BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION LOOK LIKE?
To realize that we were made for eternity radically reorients our priorities. It makes us see each moment through the lens of an impending resurrection.
To realize that we were made for eternity radically reorients our priorities. It makes us see each moment through the lens of an impending resurrection.
TAKE YOUR PLACE AT THE TABLE
All of creation [is] invited to sit at the divine table, to participate in the divine dance of mutual friendship and love.
All of creation [is] invited to sit at the divine table, to participate in the divine dance of mutual friendship and love.
TRIALS OF A TRANSLATOR
What do Catholics think about the translation of the Mass we are now using?
What do Catholics think about the translation of the Mass we are now using?
MEN ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR SPIRITUALITY. CAN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HELP?
Notions of “the genuine Christian man” are likewise riddled with stereotype and anxiety.
Notions of “the genuine Christian man” are likewise riddled with stereotype and anxiety.
PRACTICAL PARTICIPATION
God moves toward us so that we may move toward each other and thereby toward God. The way God comes to us is also our way to God and to each other: through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God moves toward us so that we may move toward each other and thereby toward God. The way God comes to us is also our way to God and to each other: through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
IMPLANTED HOPE
The Indwelling Spirit is the ability of humanity to keep going, to keep recovering from its wounds, to keep hoping.
The Indwelling Spirit is the ability of humanity to keep going, to keep recovering from its wounds, to keep hoping.
THE SPIRITUAL DESERT ISN'T OPTIONAL
That we wander in the desert is both a danger and a challenge, risk and providence.
That we wander in the desert is both a danger and a challenge, risk and providence.
CROSS-CULTURAL DISCIPLESHIP
If God is always Mystery, then God is always in some way the unfamiliar, beyond what we’re used to, beyond our comfort zone, beyond what we can explain or understand.
If God is always Mystery, then God is always in some way the unfamiliar, beyond what we’re used to, beyond our comfort zone, beyond what we can explain or understand.
THOMAS MERTON: THEORY OF PRAYER
Not in the streets, not in the white streets, Or in the crowded porticoes, Shall we catch You in our words...
Not in the streets, not in the white streets, Or in the crowded porticoes, Shall we catch You in our words...
FRANKLY SPEAKING: SPIRITUALITY FOR THE STREET
A blog offering weekly reflections to help us make it out here on life's street - as it really is, and as we really are (so far).
A blog offering weekly reflections to help us make it out here on life's street - as it really is, and as we really are (so far).
JESUS REVEALS GOD IN HIDDENNESS
The kind of God whom Jesus reveals is a God who remains hidden among those whom the world is most likely to overlook
The kind of God whom Jesus reveals is a God who remains hidden among those whom the world is most likely to overlook
ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT LIVING A HEALTHY SPIRITUAL LIFE? SEEK A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR.
The Examen with Fr. James Martin, SJ: Spiritual direction is a skill, and one that is learned.
The Examen with Fr. James Martin, SJ: Spiritual direction is a skill, and one that is learned.
NEW VATICAN DOC DISPLAYS SIMPLIFIED, DECENTRALIZED CURIA
The constitution “is aimed at putting into practice in a more radical way the work of the Curia today,
The constitution “is aimed at putting into practice in a more radical way the work of the Curia today,
BOOK EXPLAINS HOW TEILHARD FIT HIS FAITH WITH HIS EXPERIENCE
At pivotal points in its history, the church has stood squarely in the path of scientific inquiry in an attempt to block the way. This has never worked out well for the church.
At pivotal points in its history, the church has stood squarely in the path of scientific inquiry in an attempt to block the way. This has never worked out well for the church.
SMALL GRACES
The closest one can probably come to understanding prayer is knowing that you don’t - A Meditation on Urban Prayer
The closest one can probably come to understanding prayer is knowing that you don’t - A Meditation on Urban Prayer
PRAYER IS NOT A BURDEN - IT IS A WAY TO REST
What happens if your prayer feels like a "chore"? Some tips here.
What happens if your prayer feels like a "chore"? Some tips here.
IF PRAYER STARTS TO FEEL STALE, DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHAKE THINGS UP
There’s nothing wrong with setting a particular practice aside for a time and trying something else.
There’s nothing wrong with setting a particular practice aside for a time and trying something else.
GLEAMS OF LIGHT
An hour-long discussion between Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert, including how grief, properly understood, leads us to empathy and to deeper love for others.
An hour-long discussion between Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert, including how grief, properly understood, leads us to empathy and to deeper love for others.
BEYOND THE 'BIRDBATH INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX' IS THE RADICAL ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
As long as we ridicule this clear danger, we perpetuate the lies of the "birdbath industrial complex" and promote a culture of death.
As long as we ridicule this clear danger, we perpetuate the lies of the "birdbath industrial complex" and promote a culture of death.
WE'RE NOT MYSTICS
The devout Christian of the future will either be a ‘mystic,’ one who has experienced ‘something,’ or he will cease to be anything at all.
The devout Christian of the future will either be a ‘mystic,’ one who has experienced ‘something,’ or he will cease to be anything at all.
HOW BENEDICT’S RULE CAN GUIDE YOUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Benedictine wisdom helps us become monks in the world - an alternative way of being, one rooted in slowness and spaciousness, one inspired by the “inexpressible delight of love."
Benedictine wisdom helps us become monks in the world - an alternative way of being, one rooted in slowness and spaciousness, one inspired by the “inexpressible delight of love."
MARY UNDOER OF KNOTS
Mary Undoer of Knots has come to serve as a touchstone in my daily life, assisting me whenever new knots arise.
Mary Undoer of Knots has come to serve as a touchstone in my daily life, assisting me whenever new knots arise.
POPE DECLARES SPECIAL SUNDAY EACH YEAR DEDICATED TO WORD OF GOD
Salvation, faith, unity and mercy all depend on knowing Christ and sacred Scripture
Salvation, faith, unity and mercy all depend on knowing Christ and sacred Scripture
STRENGTHEN YOUR SPIRIT BY BULLET JOURNALING — WITH AN IGNATIAN TWIST
When integrating the Bullet Journal method into the Daily Examen, the whole day becomes a prayer.
When integrating the Bullet Journal method into the Daily Examen, the whole day becomes a prayer.
PRAYER LIFE ISN’T ABOUT BARGAINING OR PERFORMANCE, IT’S ABOUT GOD
Prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the all-holy God and living in communion with him. We have the possibility of this communion because he loves us and calls us to himself.
Prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the all-holy God and living in communion with him. We have the possibility of this communion because he loves us and calls us to himself.
NOUWEN A WITNESS TO COMMITTED PRIESTLY MINISTRY
Today's priesthood stands in need of reform. Michael W. Higgins and Kevin Burns agree; In Impressively Free: Henri Nouwen as Model for a Reformed Priesthood, they make their case.
Today's priesthood stands in need of reform. Michael W. Higgins and Kevin Burns agree; In Impressively Free: Henri Nouwen as Model for a Reformed Priesthood, they make their case.
WHY NON-CHRISTIAN ‘SEEKERS’ ARE TRYING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Even among devout Catholics, not everyone correctly understands the purpose of spiritual direction, and many people have never experienced it.
Even among devout Catholics, not everyone correctly understands the purpose of spiritual direction, and many people have never experienced it.
GOD AND THE MYSTERY OF A “SCREWED UP” WORLD
Evil is not a thing, like a table or a cup. What if evil is a lack of a good that should be there? Evil is the name we give to a privation.
Evil is not a thing, like a table or a cup. What if evil is a lack of a good that should be there? Evil is the name we give to a privation.
WHAT I LEARNED BEING SILENT WITH MONKS
Come back to peace with John Gehring, who shares what he learned from a retreat with Trappist monks.
Come back to peace with John Gehring, who shares what he learned from a retreat with Trappist monks.
STOP CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF DEPARTURE
How can we change our approach to Confirmation so that teens stop seeing the sacrament as a “graduation” from faith?
How can we change our approach to Confirmation so that teens stop seeing the sacrament as a “graduation” from faith?
POPE ENCOURAGES A DEEPLY TROUBLED WORLD NOT TO LOSE HOPE
But Francis also offers a sober analysis of a number of global problems and challenges in annual address to ambassadors
But Francis also offers a sober analysis of a number of global problems and challenges in annual address to ambassadors
HOW TO PRACTICE CONTEMPLATIVE MEDITATION
Contemplative prayer according to The Cloud of Unknowing, what later came to be known as “centering prayer. Just give God twenty minutes.
Contemplative prayer according to The Cloud of Unknowing, what later came to be known as “centering prayer. Just give God twenty minutes.
CELEBRATING JOYFULLY THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD
Celebrating for the first time a new feast, established to accentuate the importance that Sacred Scripture is meant to have in the faith, prayer and lives of believers.
Celebrating for the first time a new feast, established to accentuate the importance that Sacred Scripture is meant to have in the faith, prayer and lives of believers.
