When I was in college, I heard a priest preach about the importance of daily prayer. He said that the Catholic whose interaction with God was limited to attendance at Sunday Mass and nothing more the rest of the week was living on “spiritual life support.” His point was that, while Sunday Mass is foundational,Continue reading “Time to Pray “
Author Archives: stceceliastgabriel
Get Married
These days, marriage is often dismissed or overlooked as an important institution for human flourishing. But in his new book Get Married, Brad Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, argues that “so many of the biggest problems across America are rooted in the collapse of marriage and family life.” In fact,Continue reading “Get Married “
White Garments
My father keeps on his desk a framed photo from the day of his First Holy Communion, 74 years ago at Sacred Heart Church in West Brighton, Staten Island. He’s posing in a white suit with short pants, white knee socks and shoes, with a big white ribbon on his sleeve. Very fancy. Nowadays itContinue reading “White Garments “
Restorative Images
Interesting things are happening in France. Adult baptisms are up 30%. There is unprecedented interest in the annual pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres. The reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral will be finished in time for Christmas. All this surprisingly good news was reported by The Pillar in the context of an interview of 27-year-old FrenchmanContinue reading “Restorative Images “
Our Special Guests
Before you read any further, please mark this date on your calendar: May 21, 2024. At 8pm that evening, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will arrive to the Church of St. Cecilia. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an initiative of the bishops of the United States. Four groups of pilgrims will be journeying from different placesContinue reading “Our Special Guests “
Eclipse
If you are reading this article, it means the world didn’t end last week. This, despite the occurrence of a torrential rainstorm, an earthquake, and a solar eclipse all happening within a fortnight of each other. Personally, I found the rain depressing, the earthquake unsettling, and the eclipse fascinating. I remember my first experience ofContinue reading “Eclipse “
Compunction & Divine Mercy
A few days before Easter, Pope Francis gave a homily about compunction to the priests of the Diocese of Rome. Though not a word one often hears, he said compunction is “essential” to the spiritual life. It’s related to the word puncture, referring to “a piercing of the heart that is painful and evokes tearsContinue reading “Compunction & Divine Mercy “
“Freeing” Catholicism
Fr. Joshua Whitfield is the pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX where he has served since his ordination to the priesthood in 2009. In a recent post on Twitter/X, Fr. Whitfield shared his experience of talking with people who have come to him for advice about how they might have a deeperContinue reading ““Freeing” Catholicism “
Palm Sunday
There’s something disorienting about Mass on Palm Sunday. When we arrive to church we are handed palm branches. The liturgy begins with the gospel. The Passion Narrative is read with the whole congregation’s participation, all of us kneeling in silence when Jesus expires on the cross. It’s tempting most Sundays to experience the Mass onContinue reading “Palm Sunday “
Avarice
In a January 24 speech, Pope Francis described avarice, or greed, as “a sickness of the heart, not of the wallet,” that affects rich and poor alike. It is the attempt to gain control over the world by exercising mastery over the things of the world. But it is a false mastery, the pope says,Continue reading “Avarice “
