Catholics who have the opportunity of participating at Mass in various churches will certainly notice a variety in the vestments worn by the celebrants. An amice of plain cloth first may be placed … more

The workers in the vineyard who received the same wage after working all day in the Palestinian heat as those late-comers who worked only the last hour as the day began to cool might seem to have a legitimate grievance. Currently, an eight-hour day’s labor at the present minimum wage of $7.25 would net a payment of $58. Rare indeed would be the worker who stood uncomplainingly in line while witnessing a fellow laborer receive fifty-eight dollars for one hour’s work only to be handed the same amount for a full day’s work. Clearly the situation is unjust. And this is precisely Jesus’ point in relating this parable, unique to St. Matthew, about the laborers in the vineyard. more

Many readers were no doubt taught as children to proclaim silently “My Lord and My God!” when the sacred host was elevated at the consecration of the Mass. This pious devotion has been … more

“Watch, therefore,” this Sunday’s Gospel for the First Week of Advent warns rather ominously. more

A month ago the entire Western world was in an uproar over the prospect of erecting a mosque in lower Manhattan near the former site of the Twin Towers. more

Every Sunday Catholics through the world along with a number of other Christians solemnly professes the venerable words of the Nicene Creed: “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” more

The mercy of God is nowhere more graphically and pictorially recounted than in chapter fifteen of St. Luke’s Gospel account. The popular titles of these three Lucan parables place all the emphasis … more

The city of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time, in fact, the whole of Judea and Galilee at the end of the Jewish era teemed with various Jewish factions. The Pharisees were the doctors of the Law, the … more

In a broad-ranging and now celebrated 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a weeklong visit to Brazil, Pope Francis said that the Roman Catholic Church’s ban on women priests was definitive, although he would like women to have more leadership roles in administration and in pastoral activities. Citing the authoritative statements of his predecessors, Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the pope closed any discussion on Catholic female clergy but opened widely and repeatedly further consideration on the role of women in the Church. more

The 19th century Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is remembered in the Western world chiefly as the author of the voluminous novels “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina.” more

Just before Christmas Pope Francis “tweeted” a brief holy day reflection: “Without love, both life and faith are worthless.” And certainly it is true that a faith life lived without love can … more

Jesus Christ was applauded by throngs in life and jeered by crowds at death. And the crowds were extensive. “Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and … more

One line of Scripture that makes Roman Catholics easy prey for fundamentalist Christians is Christ’s demand in St. Matthew’s Gospel account: “Call no one on earth your father; you have but one … more

Father Stephen Dandeneau, recently installed pastor of St. Eugene Church in Chepachet, was intrigued about a unique retreat experience in Ireland and, wanting a fellow traveler, thought, “Well, … more

When the angel appeared to St. Joseph to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, the heavenly emissary informed the new father that he should name his son Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins.” When the angelic hosts appeared to the shepherds on the hillside they announced that in the city of Bethlehem “a savior has been born to you who is Christ the Lord.” Even the Immaculate Virgin Mary declared in her celebrated canticle, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” The dream of Joseph, the visitation of the shepherds and the song of Mary all remind believers that being a savior, introducing salvation and saving people from sin, was the basic mission of Christ. The very name Jesus means “God saves.” more

Early in his celebrated Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius Loyola stresses the profound necessity of Christian believers making a choice. The founder of the Society of Jesus envisioned a clear choice … more

The Vatican has approved a new English translation of some of the frequently used prayers of the Mass, prayers that are “common” to most Masses. more

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor in the company of his three select disciples reinforces the victory of the Savior over Satan that was proclaimed in last week’s Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent. more

Bishop Edward Slattery, of Tulsa, Okla., has decided to celebrate Mass at the diocesan cathedral "ad orientem," i.e., facing the altar at the head of the people toward God in the distance in an effort to recapture a "more authentic" Catholic worship. more

Sometime ago mention was made in this column of the second Confiteor recited by the altar boy just before the communicants approached the altar to receive the Body of Christ. more