One technique or method I have come up with in the course of my apologetics, is to answer questions about theology with Bible passages only, in order to demonstrate how intensely “biblical” Catholic ...

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments and individuals to operate as if every day brings with it a new contingency plan. The Catholic Church is no different, in a sense, at least when it comes ...

Rituals of purification or moral cleansing are common in many religious traditions. For example, ritual washing before prayer, public worship, (re)inclusion, or other religious activities is present ...

As Pope Francis was personally hearing confessions in the Vatican at the beginning of Lent, dioceses at his invitation were launching an ambitious initiative called “24 Hours for the Lord” to invite ...

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is seen through trees in the Vatican Gardens. (Credit: Paul Haring/CNS.) Listen ROME — In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe ...

Having a bad experience in the confessional probably is not unusual, but it is probably not the norm, either. In other words, out of all the good experiences one may have had confessing one’s sins, ...

Catholics Return to Confession Focused on Grace, Not a Get-Out-Of-Hell-Free Card The Lenten period for penance started this week with Ash Wednesday, and some Catholic priests are happily bracing for ...

Lent is a time when a lot of people think about returning to the sacrament of reconciliation. But if it’s been a while, that can be kind of a daunting idea. What are the words I’m supposed to say, ...

Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, ...