Spirituality
The Spiritual Impact of the War in Ukraine
Gina Christian Comments Off on The Spiritual Impact of the War in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (OSV News) — With Russia’s war on Ukraine now approaching its 10th year — and the full-scale invasion surpassing the 500-day mark — OSV News traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, who shared his reflections on the war’s spiritual impact. Bishop Kryvytskyi Read More
Spiritual Vision
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Spiritual Vision
I have had to wear glasses since I was in the third grade. I knew something was wrong when I was having difficulty seeing things clearly from a distance. My parents made an appointment with the eye doctor for an exam, and it was determined that I was nearsighted. Thanks be to God, glasses corrected Read More
Purgation, Illumination and Union
Susan Muto Comments Off on Purgation, Illumination and Union
From its earliest teachings to those of the present day, Christianity has promoted and emphasized a spiritual journey involving the transformation of body, mind and spirit in the pursuit of holiness and conformity to Christ. Such a pursuit has been elucidated as a threefold path, involving the dynamics of purgation, illumination and union. Purgation refers Read More
What Should I Do When I Struggle?
Father Timothy Gallagher Comments Off on What Should I Do When I Struggle?
Father Mark locked the church and walked to the rectory. It was 3 p.m. on a Sunday. He was physically tired and emotionally spent. Weekend ministry had been mixed. His homily at the vigil Mass had felt flat, and few parishioners spoke of it as they exited the church. Mark knew that he should have Read More
A Spirituality of Waiting
Father J. Daniel Mindling Comments Off on A Spirituality of Waiting
Are we good “waiters”? Our everyday experience of having to wait can be boring, annoying or stressful, far more taxing than spiritually productive. Wait for a table. Wait your turn. Take a number. Your flight is delayed. Waiting happens often. Consider a classic case: a patient waiting at the doctor’s or dentist’s office. You have Read More
The Harmony of the Kingdom
Father Nicholas Blackwell Comments Off on The Harmony of the Kingdom
One of the crucial words that kept returning to my spiritual life during the many dark days of the pandemic was the word “harmony.” It seems odd, I know, but bear with me. My sense of harmony during those days was best understood (and still is) by the act of becoming attuned with the Creator, Read More
Maturing in the Priestly Life
Father John Sawicki Comments Off on Maturing in the Priestly Life
Years ago, during a community retreat, the retreat master used this story, which I colloquially recall in this form: “When I was a young priest, and just ordained, I prayed that I might be a faithful priest. This understanding became defined as being a holy priest. Later, I asked to be a more prayerful priest. Read More
Incorporating Priestly Mindfulness
Father Thomas Konopka Comments Off on Incorporating Priestly Mindfulness
In the world of psychotherapy, there is an emphasis on using a mindfulness approach in conjunction with other modalities of treatment. Mindfulness, very simply, is to live in the present moment purposefully. This approach is a little more involved, but this definition is a good place to begin. As I have used this approach with Read More