By Julian Alvarez Approaching the first anniversary of “marriage equality,” I’m impelled to look back at the last year with gratitude, sadness, and prayer. I look at all that transpired, shaken by the radicality of the changes that have been made in government and in society in general. My question, which coincides with my prayer, is “are we free? what does liberation look like?” My experience of freedom is that of a work in progress, but that’s what most sinner’s who... Read more
What is virtuous leadership? At the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, leadership is about more than theories, charts and balance sheets. It’s about the strength of character and the virtues that define an individual as a person and business leader. Such luminaries as Aristotle, St. Paul, and St. Thomas Aquinas all taught that the human person is made for greatness — a greatness of soul or what we call the virtue of magnanimity. To respond to what the University... Read more
While my schedule isn’t nearly as packed as 78-year-old Pope Francis’ (seriously–how does he do it!) there has been little time to be sitting composing pithy musings. But here I am with some quiet time in my hotel room before my 9 a.m. report time so following are some thoughts about my last day in New York (Friday). Friday I wasn’t assigned to cover a specific venue (though colleagues I know reported at 5 a.m. to be ready for the... Read more
Wow. Oh. Wow. Oh Wow. So my feet haven’t quite touched the ground yet as I try and take in all awe and joy that I was honored to experience yesterday inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Vespers with the Holy Father. To be in his presence was an experience that words fail to fully convey. But let me start from the beginning of the day for a little behind-the-scenes. Trying to work on my selfie skills – looking “cool” for... Read more
Guest post by Vicki Cessna Ok, so I’m so geeked about this day on sooooo many levels, as a Catholic most of all. as a communications professional. As an American. And as a daughter – but more on that later. I’m writing this while sitting inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the side altar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with a bird’s eye view of the Cathedra where Pope Francis will be sitting. I’m just about beside myself with... Read more
Guest post by Dr. Christopher Kaczor As a Jesuit for more than 50 years, Pope Francis acknowledges his profound debt to the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola. If we wonder “What makes Pope Francis tick?”, the answer is found in the spirituality of Ignatius. This spiritual path finds a surprising confirmation in the findings of contemporary psychology. Sigmund Freud predicted, “that in the future science will go beyond religion, and reason will replace faith in God.” But the... Read more
Bishop Paul J. Bradley of Kalamazoo, Michigan blogs about today here. Read more
Even while my vantage point for this day is from inside a large ballroom in the lower basement of the Marriott, the energy and excitement is electric. Here are some fun “behind the scenes facts” I’ve heard: Apparently on Tuesday the pope’s plane did a nice loop around Georgia reportedly because Prez and Veep were running late. One Italian reporter approached our desk during the welcome ceremony at the White House and asked “What do I call the guys in... Read more
A guest post by Gina Loehr The Pope is an American. It just happens that he’s never set foot in the United States before. His America is not ours. And his leadership is not, well, American (at least not in the US-centric sense of the word). Unlike so many of our nation’s leaders, the Holy Father’s behavior isn’t influenced by the latest public opinion polls. Francis doesn’t tremble before the threat of declining popularity. Francis simply speaks his mind. But we... Read more
Guest post by Susan Hines-Brigger…. When Pope Francis comes to America this month, he’s going to be speaking in some pretty significant venues, such as the White House, Congress, and the UN. I suspect—and hope—that in those talks he will be issuing some challenges for all of us. As a Catholic and a mom, I welcome that. You see, my kids love Pope Francis. Perhaps it’s his welcoming and nonjudgmental nature. It could be that he talks about everyday things in... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In