Echoes - A forum of Catholic thought. The Opinion section of thebostonpilot.com

January 24, 2025Culture

Recently, my son sent me a cartoon. It was the image of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles at a restaurant table, and Jesus is ordering for the group. He has a sheepish grin on his face as he says, "We will ...

Culture & Events

The power of a 'nudge' to prayLaura Kelly Fanucci

During my husband's years in business school, he learned about the power of the "nudge": how to form a new habit by connecting it to a habit you already have. This practice changed my life, because ...

Faith & Family

Presentation of the LordFather Robert M. O'Grady

One of our pastors dropped a note regarding this column. "If you are not planning a column for the Presentation, you should." Excellent idea, even if it interrupts the Holy Year prayer series. This feast ...

Faith & Family

Faith to Rebuild in PakistanMaureen Crowley Heil

One of the rewards of having an active social media account for our mission office (follow us @BostonMissions) is the ability to be in contact with people all over the world. At the push of a button, ...

Faith & Family

Life is beautifulArchbishop Richard G. Henning

This week, tens of thousands of people, young and old, will gather in Washington, D.C., to give witness to the sacred dignity and the beauty of human life. I have had many opportunities to take part in ...

Faith & Family

Perspectives on Ordinary TimesLucia A. Silecchia

In these past few weeks, I -- like so many others -- saw the winter's first snowfalls. Since weather is a perennially popular topic for small talk, it did not take long to see that snowfall receives ...

Faith & Family

Is kneeling to receive Communion allowed?Jenna Marie Cooper

Q: I have been hearing that the "norm" in the United States is to receive Communion standing. Does this mean that people who try to kneel for Communion are breaking canon law? (Florida) A: You are ...

Faith & Family

Rethinking immigration: An alternative to mass deportationBishop Nicholas DiMarzio

Deportation is often seen as a last resort in enforcing immigration laws. It is not considered a punishment but rather an exercise of a government's sovereign right to exclude from its nation whomever ...

Faith & Family

Why you should visit a monasteryDr. R. Jared Staudt

In his "Rule," St. Benedict remarks that a monastery is never without guests. Though he wrote this line 1,500 years ago, the monastery remains alluring even for modern visitors. The monks leave the normal ...