“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” So writes T.S. Eliot in his “Little Gidding” in his Four Quartets (1941). The same can be said for this journal, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, as we come to our 125th anniversary of foundation. In 1900, Msgr. John F. Brady, a professor at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New York became the first editor of The Homiletic Monthly and Catechist. A layman, Joseph F. Wagner, was the founder of that journal and his intent was clear: to provide Catholic clergy with some sample sermons for the Sundays of the month and for feast days, as well as offering catechetical tips for teaching children.
In September 2022, The Homiletic Monthly and Catechist (known since 1916 as Homiletic and Pastoral Review), now under the publication of Ignatius Press (since 1995), returned to the editorship of a professor at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Fr. John P. Cush, STD. Things have truly gone full circle.
We at HPR have tried to keep the same spirit and format for the past 125 years. With articles that address theological, cultural, and pastoral topics, book reviews, homilies, editorials, questions answered, catechetical corner, and “Bishop’s Corner,” it is our hope that we offer busy clergy, religious, and interested lay readers a site where they can come monthly to be fed with solid, orthodox Catholic teaching and preaching.
This year, our 125th anniversary, is a time for us to thank the Lord for HPR and to celebrate its past as we look to its future. You will notice that this year it is our hope to offer a retrospective on our history, republishing some of our articles from our long history. It is our hope this year as well to create some more exciting content so that we can fulfill our mission, indeed our apostolate to you, our dedicated readers.
Therefore, we at HPR thank you for your continual support for our venerable journal. I, as editor-in-chief, am blessed with a great staff- Sister Mary Micaela Hoffmann, associate editor; Mr. Christopher Siuzdak, book review editor; and S.E. Greydanus, managing editor. Let us know how we are doing in meeting your needs as our readers. Please write in your comments and your questions. Don’t hesitate to support us by a donation and by your prayers. We at HPR have much for which to be thankful as we reach our 125th anniversary of our foundation, and you, dear readers, are at the top of the list.
About Rev. John P. Cush, STD
Let us all give thanks, clergy and laity alike. HPR has been a trusted resource for my faith life ever since I discovered it many years ago. I appreciate the friendly style of all the editors I have written for, and the comments that have come in from readers. Blessings on the next twenty-five.