Creation, the Garden, Adam and Eve, the serpent, and the forbidden fruit. What does this story express about our desires and ourselves? ...read more

Pope Francis gave the homily at the Holy Mass with Blessing and Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. He said that “the rite of the imposition of ashes exhorts us to return to the truth about ourselves and to return to God and to our brothers and sisters.” Read the full text of his homily below: ...read more

Joel 2:12-18 “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged, gather the children… Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord.'” (Joel 2:15, 17) What is the ...read more

In his message for Lent 2023, Pope Francis reflected on the Transfiguration of Our Lord and the “’retreat’ on Mount Tabor” as an image of the Church’s journey to Easter as well as of the synodal path. The Holy Father said that “Lent leads to Easter: the ‘retreat’ is not an end in itself, but ...read more

Many people associate Lent with sacrifice and giving up something they enjoy. However, Lent isn’t just about suffering and repentance: it’s also about spiritual growth. It’s a time for introspection, reflection, and self-examination. As Catholics, we are called to look inward, turn away from our vices, and seek God’s healing, strength, and guidance to make ...read more

I find that Lent is a certain “dying to ourselves.” Often, we imagine this happens through giving something up, and it certainly does. There are many things that we can remove from our lives to amplify God more: social media, coffee, online shopping.  But what if amplifying God can come about through a different means, ...read more

October 11, 2022 marks 60 years since the start of the Second Vatican Council. So what was Vatican II and why does it matter today? Vatican II was the biggest Church event in the 20th century, bringing together all the bishops of the Catholic Church – 2,625 of them! – with the pope and many ...read more

Read the full text of Pope Francis' homily for Pentecost Sunday, given in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on June 5, 2022. ...read more

This Pentecost, Steve Lawrence reflects on the fire we call the Holy Spirit and how we are called to open our hearts and be consumed by that fire. ...read more

On the feast of the Ascension, Carissa Douglas reflects that we are called both to look forward to heaven and to be Christ’s presence at work in the world. ...read more