Catholic News & Perspective

September 2021

Sep 22

Get to know your Sorrowful Mother at Portland’s Grotto

By: Paul Senz The Grotto sits on a large acreage of natural beauty in the heart of northeast Portland, Oregon. Its full name is the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, and since 1924, it has served pilgrims of all faiths and of no faith at all, those who are wishing to draw closer to God or those who are simply seeking refuge from the...
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Sep 20

Public good or personal freedom? It’s an age-old debate

By: Msgr. Owen F. Campion “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” That quip was made by an official in a diocese some distance geographically from Our Sunday Visitor when he heard about the firestorm ignited decades ago in his diocese when uniforms were mandated for parochial school students. Presently, he is hearing...
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Sep 17

Opening the Word: Jealousy and ambition: The root of sin

By: Timothy P. O'Malley “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice” (Jas 3:16). St. James’ words are occasions for self-reflection for the Church this very day. We know that jealousy and selfish ambition are found in Christ’s Church. Among bishops, who may think more about their...
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Sep 15

The greatest Catholic novel of all time? It might be a 100-year-old Norwegian classic

By: Russell Shaw If you think a novel set in 14th-century Norway has to be dull, think again. Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter is such a book, and far from being a bore, it is surely one of the most exciting works of fiction ever — to say nothing of being the finest Catholic novel. The three volumes that together make...
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Sep 13

St. Peter Claver: A patron for race relations

By: Derek Rotty We stand in a moment of American history that calls for a new patron saint in race relations. In recent months and years, we have witnessed terrible racial division and riots, exacerbated by the Black Lives Matter movement during the summer of 2020. Now, in 2021, we hear of the movement by many school systems, for example, to...
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Sep 10

Opening the Word: The hidden Messiah

By: Timothy P. O'Malley “‘But who do you say that I am?'” (Mk 8:29). Jesus asks this question to the disciples near the dead center of the Gospel. The answer seems obvious. Who is the one who heals the sick, opens the eyes of the blind, and cures the lame that they may walk? Who preaches with such authority and gives...
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Sep 8

Christian, go home

By: David Mills She was peeved. A friend had come across a quote from a “motivational speaker.” “There are too many people who would rather get home than get ahead,” he had said. They only want to get by. He had it backwards, she said. She got by in a hard time and then got ahead by going home. It’s the kind of glib...
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Sep 6

The short history of Catholicism in Afghanistan

By: Msgr. Owen F. Campion The news is flooded with reports about the departure of American troops from Afghanistan. Fingers are being pointed, and harsh words are being spoken, but without entering the controversy, it is interesting for Catholics to consider Afghanistan in terms of its relationship with the Church and Christianity. The...
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Sep 3

Opening the Word: The challenge of James

By: Timothy P. O'Malley James speaks directly — too directly for us, who perhaps like to soften the claims of the Gospel. “My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas 2:1). No partiality. If a man comes in with gold rings and the finest of clothes (or in our...
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Sep 1

Hypocrisy in the Church is ‘detestable,’ pope says at audience

By: Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hypocrites are afraid of the truth, fearful of who they really are and incapable of truly loving, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience. What hypocrites do “is like putting makeup on your soul, like putting makeup on your behavior” and hiding the truth, the pope said Aug. 25...
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