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 […]
Kathleen T. Choi: Respectable sinners
Sometimes I can be such a snot. We attended a wedding, the second for both bride and groom. The bride, who is on the hefty side, wore a very tight, very low cut white dress. It was sleeveless, the better to show off the large tattoos on each bicep. I thought to myself, “How trashy.” […]
Viriditas: Sister Irene Regina Hoernschemeyer, Daughters of St. Paul
The spirituality of running One of the strongest moments of my day is when I get out of bed in the morning. As I rise, I smile and offer a prayer of praise lifting up the day to God. This may sound simple, but as an athlete, this habit really helps me to stay focused […]
Christina Capecchi: Say yes to new risks and new graces in 2013
Barbara Benson Keith’s wake-up call came while chatting with a fellow kindergarten teacher at the end of a school day. Her colleague said, “‘I hope in 10 years I’m right here in this classroom doing the same thing,’” Barbara recalled. “And inside I was like, ‘Ack! No!’ That didn’t appeal to me at all.” In […]
Mary Adamski: Faith in the midst of diversity
The battle lines are being drawn. The opposing sides are massing behind the boundaries they have set to separate us versus them. But no, wait. This isn’t a war zone. It’s the legislative body representing We the People. I don’t remember voting for someone to gird their loins to do battle. (Eek, hide your eyes […]