Viewpoint

Crucifix /

The practice of Lenten fasting has many dimensions

Viewpoint

Apr 12, 2019

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Fasting is one of the practices associated traditionally with the season of Lent—a practice which has a rich body of... Read more

U.S. money /

Prosperity gospel is a travesty of the good news of Christ

Viewpoint

Jan 20, 2019

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Perhaps the most appalling aspect of televangelism is what is called “the prosperity gospel,” that is the conviction that God... Read more

Clouds / Jason Leung on Unsplash

Heaven is the fulfilment of earth

Viewpoint

Jan 18, 2019

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Recently I received a letter from a lady in Seattle in which she said that when she dies she will... Read more

Thanksgiving Day invites a generous attitude of blessing

Viewpoint

Nov 21, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Some time ago, I came across a book entitled, “The Book of Irish Curses.” The book was intended to be... Read more

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles /

Was Saint Paul a male chauvinist?

Viewpoint

Nov 3, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The reading from Paul to the Ephesians (5: 21-32) on the relationship between husbands and wives read at Sunday Mass... Read more

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs / Artist – Fra Angelico – public domain

All Saints’ Day includes every man and women of goodwill

Viewpoint

Oct 31, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The month of November opens with the celebration of one of the richest feasts of the liturgical year, the Solemnity... Read more

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Firenze, Italy /

A new model of catechumenal formation needs promotion

Viewpoint

Oct 28, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is one of the most successful features of post-Vatican II liturgical renewal.... Read more

Priest /

Lay ministry and ordained ministry complement each other

Viewpoint

Jun 21, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Recently, a young man considering the priesthood told me that he thought the rise of lay ministry in the Church... Read more

St John XXII Catholic Church /

Evangelization means the renewal of Catholic institutions

Viewpoint

May 27, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been committed since Vatican II to a new and vigorous program of evangelization.... Read more

Recovering the notion of original sin

Viewpoint

May 21, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

One of the topics that catechists preparing parents for the baptism of their child must explain is the notion of... Read more

“Spirituality” without “religion” does not hold up

Viewpoint

May 3, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

One hears on a regular basis these days that people are “spiritual but not religious” – thus giving up on... Read more

Are eulogies allowed at funeral masses?

Viewpoint

Feb 10, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The touchiest aspects of funeral planning are music and eulogies. In my experience, at least half of the time one... Read more

Catholic-Orthodox reunion prospects

Viewpoint

Jan 2, 2018

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

As is readily acknowledged on both sides, Catholics and Orthodox already have much in common - acceptance of the teaching... Read more

O come, Emmanuel: come, Lord Jesus!

Viewpoint

Dec 19, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The story that we narrate and celebrate at Christmas needs no rehearsal. We know it by heart. The story has... Read more

Is belief in angels and archangels on the wane?

Viewpoint

Nov 6, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

In both New Age spirituality and Christian fundamentalism, belief in angels is very high. However, in contemporary mainstream Christianity (including... Read more

Sign of peace at Mass needs to maintain a public character

Viewpoint

Oct 18, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

The Catholic liturgical tradition regards the Sign of Peace at Mass as a disciplined and restrained public gesture, and not... Read more

Is the Church Judge, Therapist, or Mother?

Viewpoint

Mar 25, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

In his book titled Images of the Church in the New Testament, the Lutheran theologian Paul Minear found that in... Read more

Multicultural Ministry Needs a New Perspective

Viewpoint

Mar 2, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

One of the most pressing challenges facing the Catholic Church in the U.S. today is the necessity of more adequate... Read more

Resurrection of Jesus /

What Does it Mean that Jesus “Descended Into Hell”?

Viewpoint

Feb 21, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

When the third edition of the Roman Missal was put into use in the U.S. in Advent 2011, Catholics were... Read more

Four Books to Read during the Coming Year

Viewpoint

Jan 18, 2017

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion

Here are four books (in no particular order) that I recommend for 2017. All are excellent and none requires specialized... Read more