The word limbo usually brings to mind the situation conjured up by medieval theologians to explain the eternal status of unbaptized infants. more

“The Woonsocket Call” recently noted that St. Joseph Church in that city would soon be offering the old Latin Mass for worshippers who treasure fondly the solemnity of that ritual. more

The Ark of the Covenant was a large treasure chest which the Jews carried with them during their desert sojourn and finally enthroned in the temple of Solomon in the inner sanctum called the Holy of Holies. The contents of this sacred trunk are mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. more

Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23; Romans 11:33-36; and Matthew 16:13-20 more

There is a strong possibility that the appointment of “elders” by Saints Paul and Barnabas in the early church communities established throughout the Mediterranean world was the foundation for the discipline of celibacy that has enriched the Catholic Church down through the centuries. more

Those readers who are older (that is, my age) will recall that at the conclusion of the old Latin Mass the celebrant went to the left hand side of the altar and read the opening verses of the Gospel … more

The Bible presents the faithful reader with one hundred and fifty psalms, expressions of praise, joy, thanksgiving, petition and, of course, penitence. Sometime in the sixth century a Biblical … more

In January of this year, Pope Francis advised worshippers at his daily Mass: “The greatest sin today is that people have lost the sense of sin.” His Holiness continued that therefore men and women have lost “the meaning of the kingdom of God” and in its place a “powerful anthropological vision” has emerged according to which people say, “I can do anything.” more

The scriptural commentary on the New Testament found in the authorized New American Bible suggests that the Magnificat, traditionally considered to be Mary’s hymn of praise in response to her … more

Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, PA, has taken great exception to the proposed new translation of the Mass into English. In a recent article in America magazine, his Excellency quoted the … more

The Baptism of Our Lord has long been celebrated within the Catholic community. But for many centuries its observance was shared on the feast of the Epiphany with the arrival of the Magi at Bethlehem … more

For many years St. Joseph’s Abbey, the Trappist Monastery at Spencer, M.A., was the site of my annual retreat. Like the monks’ day — early to bed, early to rise — these hours on retreat were … more

St. Paul refers to St. Luke in his letter to the Colossians as a medical doctor, “the beloved physician.” Taylor Caldwell authored a life of St. Luke entitled “Dear and Glorious Physician” … more

The resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus Christ was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Previously, the religious leaders were profoundly disturbed that Jesus Christ had exalted himself above the Sabbath. more

The Gospel versions according to Sts. Matthew, Mark and Luke are often termed the “Synoptic Gospels” because the similarity among them can be observed “at a glance,” as the Greek word “synoptic” indicates. Nowhere is this evangelical agreement more evident than in the sacred authors’ reporting of Christ’s triple predictions of his Passion. St. Mark’s three chapter and verse references to the Passion are most easily remembered: 8:31, 9:3 and 10:33. more

Two or three years ago an alert friend came across an unusual interpretation of the familiar liturgical phrase, “And with your spirit.” Older worshippers knew these words in their Latin form, “Et cum spiritu tuo.” more

Imagine the joy of the blind man who could see after his encounter with Christ. Consider the elation of the lame man who could leap to his feet after his dialogue with Jesus. more

Perhaps no sacrament has evolved (or maybe the word should be devolved) over the centuries like the sacrament of Penance. And canonically it still is the sacrament of “Penance.” The official publication of the Catholic Church for the instruction of ministers confecting the sacrament is entitled “Ordo Paenitentiae,” i.e., the Order of Penance. The modern term “Reconciliation” is a mid-twentieth century application that ordinarily connotes equality between offending parties. more

Since I have spent most of my adult life lamenting modernity, the subtitle of a new publication quickly caught my eye: “How the World Became Modern.” more

The intersection of Broad Street and the service road that runs alongside Route 95 in Providence offers a double opportunity to reflect on some challenges in today’s society. more