In the shadow of the cross || During my novitiate year in Hingham, Mass., a mother from the neighborhood asked a favor of us seminarians: could we take turns helping take care of her wheelchair-bound, 23-year-old son, David, who suffered from muscular dystrophy? Our duties would be to take him out of bed every...
Remembering Maryknoll supporter of 50-plus years || Soon after I was ordained a Maryknoll priest in 1998, I received a letter of congratulations with photos from my ordination ceremony. Thereafter, I began receiving greeting cards for my birthday, anniversary of ordination, Christmas and Easter each...
Orbis Book Spotlight || The latest volume in the Orbis Modern Spiritual Masters Series focuses on the work of Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, founder of the Center for Contemplation and Action in New Mexico, a prolific author and speaker, and certainly one of the most popular spiritual writers in the world...
Readers respond to our print, web and social media posts || YOUTH CONNECTION Thank you for the inspiring article “Mission in the City: Native American Youth Explore Change and Leadership in Chicago” in the September/October issue. We have supported Maryknoll, the St. Labre Indian Catholic School...
The Conversion of Paul || On January 25 the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches celebrate the conversion of St. Paul, arguably the most important event in the development of Christianity after the death and resurrection of Jesus and descent of the Holy Spirit. Paul expanded the identity and mission...
Chicago mission director raises Catholic awareness of global mission calling || “How many people here are missionaries?” When Megan Mio asked that question at a recent gathering of parish ministers in the Archdiocese of Chicago, only a few people raised their hands. “Let me put it another way,”...
Orbis Book Spotlight || Among the 36 official “Doctors of the Church” are four women—all named in the past 50 years, though the earliest of them lived nearly 1,000 years ago. In this new Orbis book, theologian Mary T. Malone explores the stories of these visionaries and captures their message for the contemporary...
Readers respond to our print, web and social media posts || DEEPLY MOVED The September/October 2017 issue is a real winner. The photo meditation by Father Veneroso is so beautiful, as is anything he writes. I enjoyed his experience with angels as a 6-year-old in “A rumor of angels.” I was also deeply...
Misconceptions about the Immaculate Conception || One of the more recent, sublime and, paradoxically, misunderstood doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church is that of the Immaculate Conception. Officially proclaimed as dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, the belief is as old as the Gospels themselves. Before...
A group of lay people with “HIV-positive hearts” walk with Peruvians living with HIV. || Gently touching Luis on the cheek, Yolanda Yactayo asks the middle-aged Peruvian man suffering from AIDS and diabetes if there’s anything he needs. “I could use a few diapers,” he says, not fazed...
