Sorrowing Catholics have two models to inspire them: Jesus suffering on the cross and Mary standing at the foot of the cross || As a priest, let alone Christian, what could I say to a widowed mother who just lost her only son unexpectedly and tragically? As I waited in line with mourners inching towards...
Holy people like Mother Teresa continued serving despite their doubts || A distraught mother cornered me after Mass. “Tell my son to come to church!” she said and added, “He says he no longer believes in God.” When I inquired about his age and learned he was 19, I said, “Yup. He’s right on schedule.”...
Peter and Paul let discipleship outshine differences for the good of the Church || What do we do when disagreements and factions threaten to tear our faith communities apart? Certainly opposition and even persecution from the outside seem less threatening or detrimental to our Church than internal divisions....
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...
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...
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 Rumor of Angels || One of my early childhood memories is waking up at night and looking from my bed into our kitchen. There I clearly saw golden beings of light, wearing translucent robes and helmets. Their faces were stern but kind. They filled the room and stretched from floor to ceiling. They did […]
Transforming Faith || While Maryknoll missioners’ experiences overseas vary as much as the countries and cultures to which we go, these experiences all share one common characteristic: the encounters transform us. Our faith, our ideas, our attitudes all crash—like waves on rocks—against the harsh...
Dust to Dust || When it comes to Ash Wednesday, I am definitely “old school.” I have nothing against telling people—or hearing—“Repent and believe the Good News!” but this admonition lacks the sobering, gut-wrenching: “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” We are, every...
Following The Star || The first in this year’s spirituality series in which Maryknoll Father Joseph Veneroso will reflect on various Catholic feasts. Here he writes about the Epiphany. Foreigners. Nonbelievers. What goes through your mind when you hear these words or see “those people”? Are you fearful?...
