A forum of Catholic Thought

On the Camino: Jentillaks and jazzMark T. Valley

Leaving a seaside town, I nearly took the wrong path until an old man in a beret -- like the 19th-century Catholic Carlists -- called out. He pointed to the coastal route. "Thank me later," he said. He ...

From the Eternal CityArchbishop Richard G. Henning

As I write this column, I am on the plane returning home to Boston from Rome and the funeral of Pope Francis. By the time this column reaches you, we will be nearing the end of the nine days of mourning ...

Sometimes, a Hero wears a Cape and a VeilMaureen Crowley Heil

In the Diocese of Yendi in northern Ghana, missionaries are working to educate people about the acceptance of children born with disabilities. In the minds of some people who hold traditional beliefs, ...

Fire of loveScott Hahn

There are two places in Scripture where the curious detail of a "charcoal fire" is mentioned. One is in today's Gospel, where the Apostles return from fishing to find bread and fish warming on ...

Scripture Reflection for May 4, 2025, Third Sunday of EasterFather Joshua J. Whitfield

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Rv 5:11-14 Jn 21:1-19 OR John 21:1-14 After Easter, what do we do? Or, to put it another way, what difference does the resurrection of Jesus make? ...

Conclave cooperation: The cardinals, the Holy Spirit, and youDr. R. Jared Staudt

"His office let another take." St. Peter, our first pope, quoted Psalm 109:8 to his fellow apostles after the Ascension as they appointed a successor for the position of Judas, the betrayer (Acts 1:20). ...

How do God's will and the Holy Spirit play a role in a conclave?Jenna Marie Cooper

Q: How do God's will and the Holy Spirit play a role in a conclave? A: I think ultimately, events in the life of the church like conclaves bring us to the mysterious place where God's providential ...

'A powerful legacy and witness'Archbishop Richard G. Henning

(Following is a transcript of the homily delivered by Archbishop Richard G. Henning at a special memorial Mass for Pope Francis celebrated April 23, 2025 at St. Theresa of Avila Church in West Roxbury.) So, ...

The next popeJaymie Stuart Wolfe

There are numerous contenders, of course, and they come from all around the globe. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hearing Vaticanistas on every side handicap the odds. But when the last note of ...

A pilgrim on the CaminoFather Robert M. O'Grady

Pilgrims of Hope is the theme of this Holy Year MMXXV. For the next several weeks, a pilgrim of hope on the Camino Norte in Spain will be relating his pilgrimage experience. Mark Valley, a native of Ogdensburg, ...