Fifty years ago, the majority of American Catholics confessed their sins regularly to a priest. But now only 2 percent of Catholics go regularly to confession, and three-quarters never go, or go less than once a year. To traditionalists, this might seem like a sign of decline in the post–Vatican II era. But according to John Cornwell, author of “The Dark Box: A Secret History of Confession,” this isn’t the first time Catholics have largely abandoned confession. The practice has evolved dramatically over the centuries, from a rare communal event to a regular private one. Cornwell thinks it’s time to reform confession again, in part because he sees it as a key—and underappreciated—enabler of the sex-abuse scandals that have rocked the church
Anthony Esolen: Turn to God and say, “A clean heart create in me,” for the re-creation of one soul is greater than the creation of the world.
"People say 'may the force be with you' and my immediate response is to go 'and also with you'."
A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted each and every day from Nov 1 to Nov 8, who devoutly visit a cemetery and...
Am Wegkreuz -- Karl Böker (1836-1905) For in fact there exists not only our silence, which disposes us to listening to God’s Word; often in our prayer, we find ourselves before the silence of God; we...
Everyone that knows my wife knows that she’s an AMAZING cook! In addition to cooking incredible healthy Paleo meals she’s also made some Paleo desserts; however, she’s not the onl…
"People say 'may the force be with you' and my immediate response is to go 'and also with you'."
From a reader: Last week I was in line for a long time, and finally entered the confessional around 3:25. As I was leaving, the sacristan came in behind me to tell Father it was time to prepare for Mass. There were still a lot of people in line, and I immediately felt a bit guilty. I'm definitely n
One way to make life more fulfilling and exciting is to simply have an open mind. A lifelong curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge can let you reinvent yourself repeatedly. After all, there’s always something new you can learn, even though sometimes it may be hard to find the energy and motivation to keep going.
Pope Francis recently expressed his approval of a group of exorcists meeting at the Vatican this week. Here's a look at the history of exorcisms.
The second of the Sacraments of Healing (Confession being the other), Anointing of the Sick used to be called "Extreme Unction", or, more commonly in TV/movie world, "last rites." But recently its applications have been expanded beyond those who are in immediate danger of death.&
Isn't there a song titled "I drove all night?" Each morning, John asks how Kapaun slept and this song usually comes to mind. I would love ...
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