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Cardinal to priests: Church in China is showing signs of hope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— While there are signs of hope for Catholics in China, today is still “more a time of sowing than of reaping,” said the Vatican secretary of state in a letter to priests in China.
Showing respect for each other
We live today in a highly polarized world and within highly polarized churches. In this, we are not unique. A certain degree of polarization exists within every community and is normal and healthy. However, the bitterness, mean spirit and lack of respect that characterizes much of our political, ecclesial and moral discourse today is not normal and is far from healthy. And we shouldn’t delude ourselves into thinking that it is healthy or, worse yet, in the name of truth or justice or God, try to rationalize our lack of respect for those who think differently than we do. We aren’t holy warriors, just angry people with a highly selective compassion. (Seeds of Faith)
The rosary helps us pray for the grace of perfect contrition
All Catholics would agree that Jesus was always fully God and fully human throughout his time on earth. But certain events in Scripture seem to highlight one of these natures more than another. (Seeds of Faith, The Rosary: Virtue and Grace)
Books describe learning Scriptures through Sistine frescoes
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— To really see the Sistine Chapel, it’s more important to have a Bible in your hands than mini-binoculars, said Msgr. Roberto Zagnoli, an official of the Vatican Museums.
Are celibate people sentenced to a life of repression?
This fall a former Catholic priest appeared on “Oprah” to defend his choice of leaving the Church in order to get married. This priest had battled with desire for this woman for several years and finally decided his only options were to marry her or repress his sexual desires. Indeed, as he announced to a national audience, “repression” is the only choice for a person who remains celibate. (Columns)
Keeping track of blessings in Advent
Advent often gets overlooked by most of us during the liturgical year. We are trained to think of Lent as a sacrificial time of the year, but many of us probably aren’t making changes to prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ. Advent just begins the Christmas countdown. (Editorial)
