January 2025

VOL. 90, NO. 1

Scroll through the Table of Contents to view what’s in this month’s print issue. Some articles are available only in the print issue: Subscribe today to get full access to all the material you see listed below. And remember to sign up for our weekly email so you never miss an online article!

Features

Let it move you

BY JEROMIAH TAYLOR

In jazz and in Catholicism, traditions are a place to start, not to end.

Beyond beautiful

BY RENÉE RODEN

The Catholic tradition has a long and complicated relationship with beauty.

Columns

THE EXAMINED LIFE

u-s-catholic-angel-appears-to-magi

The small brave thing

BY EMILY SANNA
The magi offer a model for how to stand against oppression.

CULTURE IN CONTEXT

u-s-catholic-culture-in-context-magalopolis

Singular vision

BY JOHN CHRISTMAN
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis explores the risks of a singular visionary path to societal transformation.

SALT & LIGHT

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Waste not, want not

BY RENÉE RODEN
Catholic social teaching calls for communities to tackle environmental challenges together.

MARGIN NOTES

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Failing health

BY KEVIN CLARKE
For millions, the future of health care hangs in the balance.

TESTAMENTS

Hope endures

BY ALICE CAMILLE
This Jubilee year, be open to receiving the grace of hope.

GLAD YOU ASKED

What is excommunication?

BY MICHELLE ARNOLD

Departments

Editors’ Note
You May Be Right (Letters to the Editor)
From the Archives
Poetry
Reviews (Music, Film, Books)
Eye of the Beholder (Art meditation)

Wise Guide

Hope next door

BY CRISTIAN MURPHY
In a world full of dangers, Fred Rodgers is the reassuring mentor we need.

Essays

Free women

BY ELLYN SANNA
The Beguines challenged societal expectations in their fervor to follow Jesus.

United we stand

BY JOE MALHAM
A new art series celebrates the call to build bridges.

Sounding Board

The Catholic choice

BY KATHLEEN BONNETTE
Is pro-life vs. pro choice a false dilemma? U.S. Catholic readers give their thoughts.

Expert Witness

Forgive them not

An interview with Kaya Oakes
Our obsession with forgiveness can benefit the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable.

Home Faith

On call

BY MATT PAOLELLI
Seeking the good of the other creates lasting family bonds.