FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” This question, posed by Pope Francis in “Laudato Si’,” has been rattling around my brain. It seems like every morning news stories appear above the fold or […]
Elise Italiano: Lessons from two soon-to-be saints
IN LIGHT OF FAITH I was thrilled to see the announcement that Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Paul VI and Blessed Oscar Romero during the upcoming synod on “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment,” and I was even more elated that their canonizations will take place on the same day. I read Pope Francis’ […]
Elise Italiano: Investing in young women in the church
IN LIGHT OF FAITH In a 1965 speech to the National Union of Townswomen’s Guild Conference, Margaret Thatcher quipped, “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.” Though she was speaking about politics, it’s safe to say that many pastors across the country can sympathize, since women […]
Elise Italiano: First time for eucharistic adoration
IN LIGHT OF FAITH I think I was 19 years old the first time I went to eucharistic adoration. It wasn’t regularly offered at my parish, and my family never lingered after Holy Thursday Mass. When my college chaplain informed us he was going to start offering it each week, I had to ask him […]
Elise Italiano: Keeping cradle Catholics in the church
IN LIGHT OF FAITH In his book “The Four Loves,” C.S. Lewis writes, “The typical expression of opening friendship would be something like, ‘What? You too? I thought I was the only one.’” I think this is the reason that a good number of my friends are Catholic converts. I have spent the better part […]