At Kolbe House, an arrested criminal is seen in this illustration photo. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation March 24, 2021, making Virginia the 23rd state to abolish the death penalty. (CNS photo/Victor Pena, Reuters)

Kolbe House: The Saving Grace of Prison Inmates

Christopher Heffron June 26, 2007

This parish-based agency in Chicago offers hope to those jailed in both body and spirit.

Advent calendar | Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Advent and Christmas Calendars

Judy Zarick December 1, 2006

Advent/Christmas calendars are an enjoyable way for everyone, adults, and children alike, to prepare for the feast of Christmas.

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Devotion to Saints

Christopher Heffron November 1, 2006

Something I find most gratifying about the saints is that they exhibit characteristics that we find in ourselves.

rosary on a bible | Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: The Rosary

Hilarion Kistner, OFM October 1, 2006

Today there are 20 decades to the Rosary. I find each mystery celebrating an event in Jesus’ and Mary’s life a thing of beauty.

Men are seen wearing scapulars during a Mass July 16 marking the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in East Harlem, N.Y. Founded in 1884 to serve Italian immigrants, the parish now ministers to a congregation comprised primarily of people of Haitian and Latino ancestry. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Scapulars and Medals

John Feister September 1, 2006

There is a current crisis of Catholic identity, as a generation raised on the possibilities and question marks of Vatican II comes of age without sure answers.

Eucharistic adoration | Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Benediction and Adoration

Pat McCloskey, OFM August 1, 2006

Benediction and adoration can provide God’s nourishment for zealous but sometimes weary disciples.

House destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans | Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

One Year After Hurricane Katrina

Christopher Heffron August 1, 2006

Touring the Ninth Ward in New Orleans last April was like walking through a bad dream.

pilgrimage wall | Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Shrines and Pilgrimages

Barbara Beckwith July 1, 2006

For centuries, Catholics have visited places linked to Jesus, to Mary or to other saints, partly as a way of acknowledging that we are always “on pilgrimage.”

people praying | Photo by Eric Mok on Unsplash

Rediscovering Catholic Traditions: Novenas

Jack Wintz, OFM June 1, 2006

Novenas began in the early Middle Ages in Spain and France as a nine-day preparation before Christmas. The number nine represents the months Jesus lived in his mother’s womb.