In his message for the 44th World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “The increased availability of the new technologies demands greater responsibility on the part of those called to proclaim the Word, but it also requires them to become more focused, efficient and compelling in their...
From our popular Saint of the Day feature!
John is a saint because his life was a heroic effort to live up to his name: “of the Cross.” The folly of the cross came to full realization in time. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34b) is the...
One of my least favorite things to do at Christmas is to put the lights on the tree. Of course, I was the lucky person who got to do it again this year.
We have a real tree this year, so the way I usually try to tuck the ugly cord into the branches doesn’t quite work the same way as with an artificial...
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a huge fiesta at the Basilica outside Mexico City where hundreds of thousands of the faithful gather to celebrate this day each year. This feast carries deep religious and cultural significance for Catholicism and Catholic theology.
First, the background is...
A Thanksgiving homily reminded me of something that happened on my recent pilgrimage in Italy. I never quite managed to learn Italian before I went, so I spent 10 days with only a few words in Italian. The one I used the most was “Grazie.” I used it with italians and other Americans...
