For many Catholics, the word liturgy brings to mind processionals with incense and a crucifix, Eucharistic prayers, or the Communion Rite. Vestments, incense...
Sacraments
Discover articles exploring the theology, meaning, and practice of the sacraments in everyday Catholic life and parish communities.
In the ancient Near East, olive oil was used for healing, sealing, and strengthening. Athletes in ancient Greece would use it to limber up and soothe their...
There’s an old joke about two pastors discussing the problem of bats in the attic of their respective churches. “I’ve tried everything,” Father Brown complains...
The gasps are audible at our Easter Vigil, when adults in parishes are baptized in cleverly disguised wading pools: “Was it really necessary to ruin their...
What began with giving a doll the sacrament of the sick ended up as a real-life lesson. At the end of each school day, my first-grade students loved to play a...
Will the Synod on the Family bring change for divorced and remarried Catholics? One influential reform-minded cardinal hopes so. With the first of two meetings...
When I entered the confessional that day I assumed I would be absolved of whatever transgressions I chose to reveal. From what I’ve been told, Father Charles...
The church should focus on marriage as a sacrament and leave civil marriages to a local judge. Sounding Boards are one person’s take on a many-sided...
One day a woman came to our church office just wanting me to bless her 3-year-old son. Boy, did he put up a fight. The only offices he knew were medical...
Save the beach for the honeymoon. Instead, get married at your local parish. Sounding Boards are one person’s take on a many-sided subject and do not...
