Catholic schools in Hawaii suspended lesson plans and used the past month of historical and dramatic events in Rome as a teaching opportunity. With 21st century fixation on immediate information, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the selection of his successor reached the level of breaking news around the world for the past month. […]
Viriditas: Father David Lupo, Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
The mystery of God When I was a child I was attracted to the trappings of church. There were the stained glass windows and the life-sized crucifix that the old Italian ladies would go up to and while rubbing the toe of Jesus, bless themselves by. There was also the incense, and the darkness. These […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Third Sunday of Lent
God alone is your sure support Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Luke 13:1-9 In the first reading, from the Book of Exodus, Moses encounters God. Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock when suddenly an angel appeared and led Moses to a bush. The bush, although on fire, did not burn. Then God — […]
Kathleen T. Choi: Right out loud
I once thought that silent prayer was the best prayer — no requests, no words, just a quiet lifting of the soul to her Maker. Then I read about indulgences and the spiritual practices connected with them. The rosary is listed with the instruction to pray aloud. Audible prayers are recommended for Stations of the […]
Kathleen T. Choi: Forget it
Scripture tells us, over and over, that we are to forgive those who hurt us. Moreover, we are to forgive others the way God has forgiven us. His forgiveness is total and unconditional. So, we, too, are to forgive and forget. That second action is the real toughie. Time helps with some trespasses. We seldom […]
Viriditas: Sister Frances Therese Souza, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities: Faithfulness to God makes us who we are
As I was reading an article in preparation for general chapter last year, the thought came to me that religious life and religion do not define who we are. We define what it is. I define what Franciscanism is, what the Catholic faith is, by who I am. Isn’t that cool? As you think of […]
Manaolana | Christina Capecchi: An Alaskan cruise, a path to priesthood
Matthew Bearth was 17 when he set out on an Alaskan cruise that changed the course of his life and led him to the seminary. Today the 20-year-old college junior loves to recount that northern voyage. Matthew didn’t have a passport when his family decided to take an Alaska cruise the August before his senior […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: First Sunday of Lent
The temptation of Christ Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13 The Book of Deuteronomy provides the first reading for this first Sunday of Lent. Deuteronomy looks to the days when the Hebrews were fleeing from Egyptian slavery and making an uncertain way across the treacherous Sinai Peninsula. Even so, Deuteronomy is not a story of […]
Mary Adamski: Confession: O Sacrament most difficult
A funny thing happened on the way to confession. I chickened out. Again. The timing was right. It was that 30-minute window of opportunity on Saturday that a priest in my parish is on tap. I’d talked myself through this. It’s been months. I’m feeling yucky about something going on in my life. I can […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The prophesy fulfilled in Jesus Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Luke 4:21-30 The Book of Jeremiah provides the first reading for this weekend. This book is regarded as one of the major Hebrew prophetic works because of its extent and the brilliance of its language. Jeremiah descended from priests. He was from a small […]
