Archives for December 2025

Homilies for January 2026

For the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, the Epiphany of the Lord, the Baptism of the Lord, and the Second Sunday and Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Solemnity of Mary Mother of God – January 1, 2026 Readings: Numbers 6:22–27 • Psalm 67:2– … [Read more...]

The Logic of “Encounter” at the Synod on Synodality and Veritatis Splendor

Over the next three years (2025–2028), the Church is undergoing a three-year implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality. The Holy See has cited a variety of goals for this phase, but the following is a general summary: “The imp … [Read more...]

In the One, We Are One: Papal Primacy and the Gift of Authority

Since its foundation, the Church has grappled with the nature and exercise of hierarchical authority, especially in relation to the Petrine office. Though much has been articulated about apostolic succession and the primacy of Peter, it is … [Read more...]

The Witness of the Teacher: Gravissimum Educationis at 60

The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of a number of documents from the Second Vatican Council. While Lumen Gentium, Gaudium et Spes, and Dei Verbum (and even Dignitatis Humanae) often take the spotlight (for very good reasons) when … [Read more...]

Interreligious Dialogue: A Brief Reflection on What Is at Stake

Interreligious Dialogue: Between Religious Studies and Syncretism Thich Nhat Hahn, besides being one of the major spiritual and intellectual leaders of Zen Buddhism in Southeast Asia, one of the popularizers of Buddhism in the West, and … [Read more...]

The Value of Literature to Priests

Among the thousands upon thousands of words written after the Easter Monday passing of Pope Francis, there were a few mentions of his thoughtful reflection in July 2024 on the role of literature in the formation of priests — and its broader … [Read more...]

Questions Answered – January 2026

St. Paul and “Completing the Sufferings of Christ” Question: Dear Fr. Cush, how should we interpret the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians 1:24. It appears as if he says that by what he suffers he completes what is lacking in … [Read more...]

Book Reviews – January 2026

The Diaconate and Marriage. By Deacon James Keating. Reviewed by Deacon Dominic Cerrato (skip to review) Sacred Music: A Preface to Christian Art and Music. By Charles Scribner III. Reviewed by Fr. John J. Conley, S.J. (skip to … [Read more...]