This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Merton. Merton was one of the most captivating religious figures in the 20th century. His book The Seven Storey Mountain made him an important public figure—the country’s most popular monk—and remains popular among Catholics today. But his legacy extends far beyond his famous biography,… Read More Book Review: The Unquiet Monk
I’m writing this on a Sunday, and as I lay resting after guiding a mission group through their spring break, I am awakened by an elderly man yelling out for Sister Valdair. Not only is it a Sunday, but also her only day off from tending for mission groups and running the pharmacy during the… Read More Lenten Reflection Series: Inspired by Sister Valdair
In the two years since Pope Francis’ election, the phrase “Francis Effect” has come to describe the unique impact of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s papacy. But what exactly is the Francis Effect? Can we measure it? Is it real? In evaluating the Francis Effect, there are two components to consider: the popular media’s narrative and the… Read More Is the Francis Effect Real?
This time of year, it’s easy to get caught in the late-winter doldrums. The snow and slush have hung around just long enough so that we begin to doubt that spring really is just around the corner. And the Lenten season can drag as well. It seems like it’s been ages since we gathered together… Read More Lenten Reflection Series: Preparing for the Eternal Spring
Pope Francis: “The Lord always give true freedom. First of all, the freedom from sin, from selfishness in all its forms: the freedom to give of oneself and to do so with joy.”
Check out these recent articles from around the web: The Carnage of Barrel Bombs in Syria by Abdel: “I am a surgeon operating in Aleppo, a city in the northwest still partially held by the armed opposition — though under increasing pressure from Syrian government forces. I have witnessed countless attacks like these and the… Read More Around the Web
Pope Francis has announced a Holy Year of Mercy: Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is journey that begins with a spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to call an extraordinary Jubilee that is to… Read More Pope Francis Announces Holy Year, the Jubilee of Mercy
Millennial 