One way to understand the saints—the radiant, aberrant beings next to whom the rest of us look so shifty and shoddy—is to imagine them as cutting-edge physicists. Their research, if you like, has led them unblinkingly to conclude that reality is not at all what, or where, or who we think it is. They have Read more
The controversy stirred up by the canonisation of St Junípero Serra is still raging in America. It’s a reminder that with social media and modern communications there is ever greater accessibility to the “human” side of contemporary saints. In some cases the hostility is between those responsible for a particular Cause. Here are five of the more Read more
In an historic address to a joint session of the US Congress, Pope Francis challenged US lawmakers and the nation to heal the “open wounds” of the world. The 45-minute address by Pope Francis on September 24 was the first time a Roman Pontiff had addressed this body of US lawmakers. The Pope’s speech featured a Read more
An American academic has proposed Catholic social activist Dorothy Day as the perfect patron of the upcoming Year of Mercy. Dr Lance Richey has edited a recent edition of Day’s journal from the early years of the Catholic Worker Movement. He also organises an annual Dorothy Day conference. “I do think that it’s a very Read more
One of the worst effects of modern clergy sex abuse scandals is cynicism about the call to holiness, a senior cardinal says. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston said this at the tenth National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington on May 13. He heads the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors set up by Pope Read more
“This brings me great joy,” said Chris Montesano, a long-time California farmer, with tears in his eyes. He beamed as he looked upon a room full of Catholic Worker farmers who had traveled from across the country for a recent gathering in Dubuque, Iowa. “We are at a historic moment in our movement’s history,” Montesano Read more
The Catholic bishops of the United States have endorsed the cause for sainthood of social activist Dorothy Day — who was famously quoted as saying, “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.” Day, who died in 1980, established with Peter Maurin the non-violent, pacifist Catholic Worker movement, which claims Read more