Robert Cardinal Sarah, the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, delivered a riveting, yet controversial, address to the attendees of Sacra Liturgia Conference in Rome in July 2016. The Prefect … [Read more...]
Re-evaluating the Diaconate
The Liturgical Potential of the Deacon
June 12, 2017 by Fr. Ryan Rojo, S.T.L.
Thoughts on the Ecclesial Vocation of Women
December 1, 2016 by Dr. William Newton
There is a story of a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing … [Read more...]
Discerning a Call to Priesthood? Some questions you should be asking yourself.
October 13, 2016 by Rev. Thomas V. Berg, PhD
As Catholic seminaries across the country commence a new academic year and re-engage in the crucial work of priestly formation, so too a throng of young Catholic men—some finishing high school, some in college, some into the first years of a … [Read more...]
A Garden Unfinished
May 28, 2016 by Carolyn Humphreys, OCDS
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
May 28, 2016 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: I am a secular Carmelite preparing to make my vows. Can you explain the difference between religious profession and seculars regarding the virtue of religion? How would the vows of religion differ from my promises for life? Don’t w … [Read more...]
Being Single in the Church
Pastoral Approaches to a Growing Demographic
April 27, 2016 by John O'Brien, S.J.
In the 2015 film, Brooklyn, there are a number of scenes in which young Eilis Lacey, a recent immigrant from Ireland, goes to several dances organized by her local church. There, she and her friends are courted by young gentlemen, one of … [Read more...]
A Comment on Vatican II’s Perfectae Caritatis and Its Aftermath
April 27, 2016 by Michael Petruzzelli
It has been 50 years since the close of Vatican II, and certainly the Church has found great hope for the future in the Spirit-guided accomplishments of that great ecumenical Council. The Church has experienced authentic renewal in her … [Read more...]
Words Written on Ice and Wind
A Creative Writer Reflects on the Craft of Preaching
March 30, 2015 by Fr. Raymond Tucker Cordani
At the turn of the century, I graduated from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. Armed with an MFA in creative writing, I set out to write the Great American Novel. I taught writing at the University of Central Florida in … [Read more...]
Searching for Clarity in Vocational Discernment
March 24, 2014 by Fr. Bryce Sibley
... The call of the Lord usually comes to us in a more subtle and indirect manner ... left up to us, with the assistance of divine grace, to discern whether we are being called to the priesthood or consecrated life. Christ calling Peter … [Read more...]
Discernment and Communion
June 6, 2013 by Fr. Bryce Sibley
If young people want to properly discern a vocation, they need an expert to help guide them. In the Church of San Luigi Dei Francesi in Rome, there are the three famous paintings of the life of St. Matthew by the great Baroque artist … [Read more...]
The Eternal Presence of the House of Nazareth
December 13, 2012 by Kathleen Curran Sweeney
The family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Nazareth is an ever-present revelation of God’s purposes and work in the world, inviting to holiness families of the 21st century. Does the household of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the small vi … [Read more...]
Discerning Marriage as Natural Vocation
July 30, 2012 by Fr. Bryce Sibley
Marriage, as a vocation, is written into our human nature, into our very being. According to the Church, everyone is called to marriage because they are humans who have been created as either male or female. It is necessary to clear … [Read more...]
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