The Way of Beauty
Annunciations of Suffering
When Jesus began his ministry, he chose to make us men and women his cherished followers. Wanting us to be... Read more
Go to Joseph
St. Joseph’s role in salvation history celebrates the mystery of God’s dealing with a special man and his special vocation. ... Read more
The Taste for God
Of the 21,000 restaurants in New York City, more than half specialize in Italian cuisine. Whether the 12,000 serve Milanese,... Read more
The Beauty of Catholic Education VI: The Delicate Sense of Touch
In his earthly ministry, Jesus healed those in need by touching them. Today, educators are wary of broaching the topic... Read more
Balancing Our Lives: 'The Great Game'
Imagine a painting that depicts a young girl taking one step at a time along the top of a fence. ... Read more
Praying with the Psalms during Lent
The Psalms are a masterpiece of prayer, a treasury for prayer. King David is considered their chief author, but this... Read more
Coptic Christians and the White House
Pope Francis has called them martyrs, the twenty-one Coptic Christians executed in Libya. “Jesus, help me,” were the last words... Read more
'The Picture of Dorian Gray:' A Parable for Lent
The Lenten spring has come as planting and dying give way to rising and harvest. If we have been buried... Read more
Lourdes and beyond
The town of Lourdes in southwestern France is one of the world’s most frequently-visited pilgrimage sites. Its tourist industry has... Read more
The Beauty of Catholic Education Part V: Teaching Troubled Children
It is a little-known fact that Beethoven came from a dysfunctional family. Even music historians skim over this fact to... Read more
Boys and Girls Town and the Cristo Rey Schools
Catholic education begins with the early Church which took Jesus as its exemplar. Not only was he a rabbi, a... Read more
A man of frugal speech
He is honored as a Doctor of the Church, the Angelic Doctor, the Church’s “very own theologian and philosopher,” and... Read more
From Paul's Desert to His Garden of Wonder and Delight
Several years ago, I went to see Philip Gröning’s movie, “Into Great Silence,” chronicling the life of Carthusian monks, the... Read more
Study and Beauty in the Family and Consecrated Life: Part II
The Catholic Church has a long, deep, and abiding respect for the habits of the minds and for the pursuit... Read more
Charism and Consecrated Life: Part I
In popular jargon, the word charisma is used to describe a person with dazzling gifts of charm or grace. Charismatic... Read more
Renaissance and Baroque Christmas Music
Every year, Händel’s Messiah seems to claim the center stage of Christmas performances. Yet, there are other classic works no... Read more
Here Is Your God! He Comes to Save Us!
In many respects, 2014 has been a dark year. One tragedy after the other has befallen Americans while our brothers... Read more
The Beauty of Catholic Education III: Classroom Preparation for the Coming of Christ
During the month of December, children of Christian families dream about the gifts they hope to receive on Christmas Day.... Read more
Francis, This Is Your Mission
This was not the plan. Not the human plan. Xavier, the gifted, debonair hidalgo-turned-Jesuit was destined for great things. At... Read more
A Hymn of Thanksgiving
The thirteenth-century German mystic, Meister Eckhart once noted that “if the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank-you,’... Read more
