December 2012

Cover

Words fail us: Priests and parishioners evaluate the new missal’s first year

The view from the pulpit

By Scott Alessi
A year may have passed, but many clergy say they are still hot under the collar over the changes brought on by the new Roman Missal.

The view from the pews

By Meghan Murphy-Gill
Though they may have memorized their lines, U.S. Catholic readers still question whether the new Mass prayers translate into a meaningful worship experience.

Feature

Vatican 2.0: A look ahead to the next 50 years

In the last of a three-part series, five of today’s leading Catholic thinkers apply some old wisdom to new challenges in the church, including bioethics battles, faith in China, social media, and the liturgy wars.

Web-only features

Lamentations of a ‘green’ Catholic

By Michael Wright

Following St. Francis in today’s world

By John Litwinovich

Essays

(Essays, short stories, and poems are not available online.)

Jesus Christ: The missing years

By Brian Doyle
Since the scriptures spare us the details, we’re left to wonder just what the Son of God was up to when he was a teenager.

Joyful mysteries (photo essay)

By Teresa Puente
When a stranger asks you to be a “godmother of the rosary” for her children while you’re on a pilgrimage in Mexico, how can you say no?

Language barrier

In Person: Career builder

Departments

Editors’ Note

You May Be Right (Letters to the Editor)

Signs of the Times (News)

Catholic Tastes (Humor)

Culture in Context: Music, film, and book reviews

At Home with Our Faith  (Family spirituality)

Eye of the Beholder (Art meditation)

Glad You Asked: Who invented the Nativity Scene?

Columns

The Examined Life: Advance bishop
By Bryan Cones

Margin Notes: Out of the ashes
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: I hate to say it
By Patrick McCormick

Testaments: What are you waiting for?
By Alice Camille