Pope Benedict’s Lebanon Voyage (1292)

Middle East scholar Father Samir Samir on the Holy Father’s trip and the ‘Arab spring.’ Pope Benedict XVI visits Lebanon Sept. 14-16, arriving in the Middle East region at a time of bloody internal conflict in Syria and simmering tensions between Israel and Iran.

Mary Assumed

Every religious culture has its own jargon. Some expressions have pulled loose from their religious moorings and entered our common lexicon. I think of “mecca,” “nirvana,” and “kosher.” Catholicism is no exception. You don’t have to be a believer to call someone “Mother Teresa” or…

Essentials for Our Journey with Christ

After nine years as pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Albion, Rhode Island, the Father Bernard A. Healey recently was reassigned to the East Greenwich parish of Our Lady of Mercy. Following is his final homily at St. Ambrose, a tribute to the parish and…

Why us?

Following is a reflection on the readings for July 14-15 liturgies, composed by Deacon Richard Montalto of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The readings are available in full on the web site of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – www.usccb.org.

The Grace that Lights Our Path

The following meditation upon the readings for June 23-24 liturgies is by Deacon Richard Montalto of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The readings themselves are available on the web site of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – www.usccb.com. Is 49:1-6; Ps 139: 1-15; Acts 13:22-26;…

Spirit of St. Marianne Cope Lives On

“Where others feared to tread, Mother Marianne reached out to those in need: the sick, the elderly, the alcoholic, the outcast,” said Bishop Robert Cunningham during a 2011 liturgy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, N.Y. Hundreds of faithful filled the cathedral…

Discover Hope

Even if most of us never come up with one, we know what a tagline is: “Just Do It.” “That Was Easy.” “It’s All Inside.” Taglines synthesize values, express company commitment, and ensure brand recognition. For this reason corporations pour millions into clinching the mother…

My Mother-in-law, Moses and John Paul II

Shortly after her retirement, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As it happened, as a member of the Catholic media, I had just received an invitation to attend a meeting with Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. On the off chance that I…