Dad’s face was gaunt, with skin hugging his high cheekbones and gray stubble enveloping his chin and upper lip. His bony shoulders poked out from a baggy blue-plaid hospital gown, and his hands shook when he tried to raise them. Just a month ago, we had been celebrating my birthday at a hibachi restaurant, where Read more
Prayer has always been a struggle for me, and I know I am not the only one. There’s a reason that books on prayer continue to flood our bookshelves. Very few of us pray as often and as earnestly as we would like. Very few of us are confident that we pray well. Fewer still feel Read more
A shared Christian faith played a big part in all of the Pasifika teams competing in the Rugby World Cup. And it was not just a matter of praying for a victory. That strategy was no doubt not ignored; on this occasion seems to have been remarkably unsuccessful. But it was their shared Christian faith Read more
About twelve years ago, I was at an Auckland Literary Festival, with a talk on ‘The Influences that Have Made a Writer.’ The greatest influence in my life, my faith, I left until last, aware that some people were allergic to talk about religion. I said if anyone wanted to leave at that point, I Read more
It sounds like a ridiculous question A few years back, however, something stood out to me, that makes me think that the “soul” of the rosary was always present in the Apostles’ prayer. Continue reading
US Catholic leaders working with youth have developed an app to help young people battling with an addiction to pornography. The app, named “Victory”, is based on a calendar system, where the user can mark with colours the days they were victorious over porn or had a setback. White means they were victorious, grey means Read more
Here’s my theory: The shrinking number of American Catholics isn’t just about the hierarchy’s anachronistic politics. It’s also about Catholics seeking, and not finding, an experience of the holy and transcendent — of God — in their Church. Without that, who could be surprised when the Pew Center this month found the Church losing adherents Read more
As he turns 88, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is prayerfully preparing to meet the Lord. In an interview with an Italian television station, the retired Pope’s private secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein mentioned Benedict’s ongoing dialogue of prayer. Archbishop Ganswein told Mediaset’s La strada dei miracoli programme, “It is clear that a man who soon will turn 88 Read more
Canadian cities must put an end to prayers during council meetings, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled. The court said such prayers go against freedom of religion and conscience, as laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and the Quebec Charter. In a unanimous decision and in the name of neutrality Read more
A campaign has been launched for the canonisation of the priest who stayed on board the Titanic as it sank in order to pray with his fellow passengers. According to survivors’ testimonies, Fr Thomas Byles twice refused a place on a lifeboat. Rather, he stayed on the ship to pray with the passengers who were Read more