I recently heard of a senior U.S. bishop who regularly prays that his civic leader, his president may suffer a mild heart-attack. Not so severe as to threaten his life or his capacity for conversion, but severe enough to require his permanent retirement from office. I wonder how many similar prayers are offered, from the Read more
In 2018 Pew estimated that 50 million Catholic adults live in the United States. That’s a lot of Catholics—and we don’t all practice our faith the same way. From daily Mass to meditation and yoga, there are many ways to pray. U.S. Catholic surveyed readers to find out how they connect with God. Of the Read more
Polish bishops are telling Catholics to stay Catholic. The bishops advice – delivered in a recent pastoral letter – was made both to mark Poland’s centenary of independence and to warn the nation’s Catholics that freedom could be lost again if Poles abandon their Catholic faith. They explained independence is not just about “armed struggle, Read more
A woman grew pumpkins for the local market. Near the large pumpkin patch there was a pear tree bearing so much fruit that the woman also picked pears to sell. The pumpkins were so heavy they made her back ache. Each had to be cut from the plant and lifted onto the trailer behind her Read more
Does Jacinda Ardern talk to God? “No. But I have a real respect for people who have religion as a foundation in their lives, ” she told Pathos in a recently published interview. “And I respect people who don’t. I’m agnostic. “I don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure it out. “I do Read more
It’s easy to start playing the Busy Parent Card. You know the one: You read an article about ways to better connect or deepen your relationship with God and say, “Yeah, well, glad that works for other people, but no way that works for me! I’ve got kids! I’ve got work to do! I’ve got people to feed and Read more
The movie Shadowlands is the story of C. S. Lewis and his wife Joy. At one point in the film, after finding out Joy’s cancer has gone into remission, one of Lewis’ friends says to him, “I know how hard you have been praying, and now God is answering your prayer.” Lewis, brilliantly played by Read more
Debra Tate, whose sister was a Charles Manson murder cult victim, says she cried and said a prayer for his soul when she learned of his death. Sharon Tate was 8½ months pregnant when “Manson Family” commune members murdered her, her unborn baby and three of her friends. In the nearly 50 years since Sharon Read more
When we were young, no one in our house was allowed to swear. Except Dad, of course. But his oaths were limited to “Damn” and “Hell.” We thought these words very daring and wondered if they were okay with God. On the other hand, Dad could yell at us, “I’ll thrash ye tae an inch Read more
Pope Francis recently asked his congregation for a favour. Make an examination of conscience and ask yourself if you pray for your leaders. Not just the ones you like, but all leaders. “And if you find in your examination of conscience that you have not prayed for your leaders, bring it to confession. Because not Read more