by Jason Downer, SJ | Jul 18, 2019 | Catholic 101, Spirituality ~ Approx. 5 mins
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me. One of the first things I was given as a Jesuit novice was the book Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, a one volume version of the Liturgy of the Hours. A couple of things crossed my mind at that...
by Colten Biro | May 29, 2019 | Blogs, Spirituality ~ Approx. 2min
There is a secret lie that I’ve held since childhood—that prayer is like recipe book or magical spell, wherein the perfect words get the perfect wish fulfilled. But, I often find it’s not the words themselves that matter. Rather, what leads me closer to Christ’s peace...
by Colten Biro | May 1, 2019 | Blogs, Spirituality ~ Approx. 4 mins
The caffeine sweetness of steam rises, whirling and swirling up from the cup of coffee held tightly in my hand. Its gentle, soothing aromas providing solace and warmth. Instead of taking a slow sip, I grab a quick gulp and then dive into the blur of the school day....
by Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ | Apr 17, 2019 | Blogs, Holy Week, Lent, Spirituality ~ Approx. 3 mins
One thing poet and memoirist Mary Karr loves about Catholicism is the idea “that we are hunks of meat.” It was what she calls “sacred carnality” that led her to embrace Catholicism. “What I liked about the Catholic Church” she says, “is that there is a body on the...
by Colten Biro | Apr 4, 2019 | Blogs, Spirituality ~ Approx. 3 mins
I’m nearly certain a drop of sweat was slowly crawling down my forehead, and it was not hot. We stood outside of a church, pinned off to the side of the crowd exiting after mass. In front of me, an older woman, spatterings of grey hair and a few creases hanging on the...