Cover story

So help me God

An interview with David L. Holmes
America’s postwar presidents have served as the nation’s spiritual spokesmen, argues one Oval Office observer. Without their faith to guide them, these commanders-in-chief wouldn’t have a prayer.

Feature

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

By Kristen Hannum
Back from the battlefield, today’s war vets need more support from the church, but help on the homefront is often hard to find.

Feature

Vatican 2.0: A look ahead to the next 50 years

In the second of a three-part series on new challenges for today’s church, four prominent authors from four different countries discuss women and authority, climate change, keeping young people in church, and AIDS in Africa.

Sounding Board

My Mass exit

By Victor Landa
The altar is no place for politics, argues a returning Catholic who headed straight for the door when a priest instructed parishioners how to vote. In Feedback, readers recall homily hits and misses.

Essays

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

Lives of import

Wise Guide: Man of Action

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: What is the history of marriage?

Columns

The Examined Life: Death becomes us
By Bryan Cones

Margin Notes: Less isn’t more
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: Advanced Screening
By Patrick McCormick

Testaments: Power widows
By Alice Camille