Read & Reflect

Love is not a feeling but a decision, Pope Leo XIV tells couples

Pope Leo XIV reflects on human love in the prologue to the new edition of “YouCat: Love Forever,” emphasizing that it is not a fleeting feeling but rather “a decision, a journey, and a lifelong covenant.”This version of the catechism, aimed at young people preparing for the vocation of marriage, is...

[Daily Rosary Meditations] The Birthday of Mary

[Daily Rosary Meditations] Proving Your Love

Accepting God’s Labor Day Gift

In 1894, Labor Day was declared a national holiday. Most worked a six-day work week and then enjoyed Sundays for worship, time with family, and relaxation. Sunday was their “Divine Day of Vacation,” set aside by God to slow us down and recharge us physically, mentally, and—most importantly—spiritual...

The Hidden Life of Jesus Is the Overlooked Life

I’ll never forget when I once told a relative about a group of cloistered nuns—the Poor Clares—in Cleveland, Ohio, who spend their entire lives adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. That relative thought it was a wasted life. Surely, they could be doing something better with their time, this...

[Daily Rosary Meditations] While It's Still Day

7 lesser-known apostles and where Catholics can encounter them today

When Christians think of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, they might immediately think of Peter, John, and Matthew. But what about some of the lesser-known followers he chose?While Scripture gives us a significant amount of information about the lives of some apostles, not many details are known about others...

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine after Russian attacks

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday deplored the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine and voiced hopes for peace amid U.S.-led efforts to end the war.“With a sorrowful heart, I have followed the news of the latest violent attacks that have recently struck several cities and civilian infrastructures in Ukraine, caus...

True ecological conversion passes through the Eucharist, says International Theological Commission

VATICAN CITY — “Ecology is the result of how the equation of the interaction between cosmology and anthropology is resolved. Therefore, an ecological approach that seeks to get to the root of the issues cannot avoid addressing both of these dimensions.”That is the premise of the lengthy and complex...

“A Pathway Toward Healing and Hope”: Praying with the Beloved Apostle

Back in January, I was invited to lead a day-long workshop for Catholic school leaders in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon. The topic that I was asked to address was “Catholic education as a healing ministry of the Church.” It is an important topic, and one that I have experienced, researched, wr...

Feel Good Religion Won’t Save You—The Cross Will

Have you ever been duped? Fooled, tricked, deceived, conned, swindled? “You duped me O Lord!” That was Jeremiah’s complaint. Somewhere along the line, he must have gotten the idea in his head that the life of a prophet would win him friends, success, and honors. Instead, it won him derision and mock...