A forum of Catholic Thought

FOCUS

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
March 14, 2025

A few days before the beginning of Lent, I had the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass and spend time with the FOCUS missionaries who serve here in the Archdiocese of Boston. FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic ...

'Stronger than ever'

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
March 7, 2025

Last weekend, I had the joy of visiting St. Mary's Parish in Franklin. You may recall that an arsonist attacked the church back in October, and the people of the parish have waited for five months ...

The way

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
February 28, 2025

The ashes distributed on Ash Wednesday have a power within the Christian imagination. It is curious that even people who do not typically attend Mass will show up at church for ashes. Every once in a ...

Chair of Peter

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
February 21, 2025

Saturday, Feb. 22, is the Feast of the Chair of Peter. It may seem strange to have a feast celebrating an article of furniture until we consider the layers of meaning surrounding this particular chair ...

The least of these

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
February 14, 2025

''Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matt. 25:40b) Last week, I wrote about Catholic moral teaching with regard to migration. I also ...

'E pluribus unum'

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
February 7, 2025

Our society finds itself deeply divided on the question of immigration. Almost daily, the media stories and commentaries reveal an environment where it has become difficult to engage in honest debate ...

Healing

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
January 31, 2025

Next week, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Blase. You may recall, as I do, the blessing of throats and the feel of the cold candles on your neck. It has always been a popular blessing -- perhaps because ...

Life is beautiful

Archbishop Richard G. Henning
January 24, 2025

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 ...