Lent is a Time for Retreat

Lent is a Time for Retreat

Are you prepared for a retreat? You should be. Lent is a time for us to imitate Jesus, who was baptized and went to the desert to fast for 40 days and nights, a time of preparation. The Gospel of Luke says that the Holy Spirit led Jesus out to the desert “to be...
The Potlucks of Vatican II

The Potlucks of Vatican II

‘‘The Council’ is an abstraction and as such cannot be allowed to obscure the mix of forces and personalities that marked the Council.’’ 1   In What Happened at Vatican II by John O’Malley, SJ, he mentions that “council” is a bit of a misnomer. I suggest that the...
How Chaplains Heal the Beleaguered Self

How Chaplains Heal the Beleaguered Self

Prayer as the unveiling of the heart “Hi, I’m Chaplain James. Is there a way I can support you this morning?” The man had asked his nurse to page a chaplain, so I suspected that his looming surgery was weighing heavily on his heart, but I wanted to hear the request...