In this essay, Br. Patrick Sean Moffett, CFC reflects on the recent plans from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for a Eucharistic Congress, asking whether there is an opportunity for synodality and the Congress to synthesize in an unexpected way. Click here to download a copy of [...]
November 19, 2021 - Here's a roundup of some recent news on religious life. The revelations about the mistreatment of Native Americans at Catholic boarding schools has prompted both outrage as well as introspection. "Taking Responsibility," an initiative of Fordham University, will hold a special session on Jesuit involvement in [...]
November 5, 2021 - Here's a roundup of some recent news on religious life. Commonweal's latest issue features nine stories on religious communities today. Some of these - like the community of Sant'Egidio - are largely lay movements with a strong communal element. Other stories, however, like those on the [...]
This essay, revised from a talk presented at the Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Safeguarding Workshop on October 25, 2021, explores the need for continuing formation in safeguarding. It encourages a renewed embrace of the vocation of consecrated life, a commitment to creating safe communities free from harassment [...]
October 29, 2021 - Here's a roundup of some recent news on religious life. First, two articles on religious life news in Africa: The Spiritans, founded in France in 1679 and first engaged in missionary work in African in 1799, have elected Fr. Alain Mayama, CSSp as their superior general. [...]
Br. Sam Amos, FMS examines the meaning of science in the life of his high school students, arguing that their very interest in science and respect for its authority is an opportunity for theology teachers and ministers. The questions science and technology raise in the 21st century require answers [...]
October 15, 2021 - Here's a roundup of some recent news on religious life. Two pieces of synod news. First, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of women religious for the synodal process during an audience with the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret. Among other things, he said: [...]
In this essay, Br. Ken Homan, SJ reflects on the history of American Jesuit slaveholding in light of his charism. Turning to Ignatius of Loyola's teaching on sin in the Spiritual Exercises, he examines several deflections that can come up in response to this structural sin. Urging a deeper [...]
October 7, 2021 - Here's a roundup of some recent news on religious life. The International Theological Commission, which has a long history of important religious theologians contributing to its efforts (the inaugural council in 1969, for instance, included Henri de Lubac, SJ, Yves Congar, OP, Karl Rahner, SJ, and [...]
The Hillbilly Thomists released their second studio album in January 2021. In this review, Sr. Mary Ruth O'Brien, OP, explores the album through the lens of the Dominican charism of preaching. She argues it weaves together St. Dominic's emphases on joy and penance, a depiction of the violence of the [...]