Category: Reflections
Experiencing Christness by Wally Swist
In trying to imitate Christ, we begin to actively love Christ.
A Poem by Gerard Garrigan, OSB
"Nothing in this broken world can last / As long, even half as long, as the past . . ."
Witnessing to Our Good by William Droel
Fr. Isaac Hecker sought to shape an American Catholicism that harmonized with the country's pluralism.
Words by William John Fitzgerald
We should strive for the beauty of liturgical language even in the midst of our day-to-day lives.
The Future Needs the Franciscan Spirit by Rev. Cameron Trimble
The Franciscan charism offers a pattern, a melody line in a larger symphony of sacred living. It’s a witness we need.
“From the Death of Mary” by Rainer Maria Rilke
A selection from Rilke's "Marienleben" sequence of poems on the life of Mary, translated by Wally Swist.
The Faithfulness of Black Catholics in the Promise of Christ Resurrected by Leslye Colvin
Catholic institutions must learn to recognize and resist the sins of anti-Black racism and white supremacy.
Taking the Vow of Dialogue by Patrick Henry
Rather than being alone in solitude, one becomes aware of a unity of spiritual endeavor that encompasses all faith traditions.
Words of Life Spoken in the Whisper of Death by Fran Salone-Pelletier
I suspect that Jesus's laughter was so deeply implanted in his being that it could only be expressed in the twinkling of his eyes.
Three Poems by Johanna Caton, O.S.B.
"warm, honey-air and fresh / sap, smaller than a sip, linger – / a tiny communion / tiny communion."
Discipleship Quads: Cultivating Spiritual Intimacy in a Small Faith Sharing Community Experience by Deborah Kispert
Participating in this small faith community has fostered self-awareness and self-reflection but also elicited support and accountability.
Confession: the Abandoned Sacrament by William Droel
Participation in the sacrament of reconciliation has declined in recent years. Is there a way to revivify the practice?
Poems and Prayers for Wounded Healers by O’Neill D’Cruz
"One Spirit kindles all matter with a spark / And Nature bears, or forbears with a mark . . ."
If I Get Disappeared by Paul Nyklicek
Challenging as it may be, our task is to help those who oppress us reconnect to their true humanity.