I HAVE NO business singing high C.
The second a hymn starts, I can tell by the notes whether the song’s range is in my comfort zone. Solidly alto, I am happiest singing F, G and A above middle C.
Guest Columnists
A Diverse College of Strangers
WITH THE EXCEPTION of the two consistories held by Pope John XXIII in 1958 and 1959, every creation of new cardinals since Pope Pius XII has decreased the percentage of Italian members of the College of Cardinals while internationalizing it. (John XXIII’s first consistory actually increased the Italian membership to 40 percent of an expanded college.) That pattern of internationalization, and if you will, de-Italianization has continued with Pope Francis and the college now includes members from 15 countries (such as Tonga, Laos, and Papua New Guinea) that have never given the Church a cardinal before.
Lessons Learned on the Path to Priesthood
by Joseph Hadzovic
I’VE BEEN THINKING about becoming a priest since I went on a retreat with the Salesians of John Bosco when I was 14.
Baseball and Synod 2018
I trust it won’t cause heartburn among the editors of Commonweal if I confess to having cheered at a recent article they posted, “Quit Trying to ‘Fix’ Baseball.” Therein, Professor Gregory Hillis of Bellarmine College took on MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s efforts to appeal to millennials – creatures from that deep lagoon known as “social media” – by speeding up the pastime. Professor Hillis called the ball foul, and I heartily concur.
Take That Bold Step Into the Unknown
by JohnPaul Obiaeri I CAN WRITE a book on my vocation journey so far, but permit me to share the concise version with you. I was six when my Dad passed away. All I could recall about him was his caring nature. I was born in the city, but moved down to the village to […]
Roe v. Wade Derangement Syndrome
THE DEFENSE OF the indefensible often leads to a kind of derangement in otherwise rational people. That was the case with the defenders of slavery and legalized racial segregation; it has become the case with abortion.
The Harvest Is Rich, Pray for More Laborers
THIS SUNDAY MARKS the 55th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.”
Holding Onto Moral Standards and Beliefs
In our mixed-up society, when it is difficult to distinguish truth from lies, reality from ‘fake news,’ we must hold on to some moral standards and beliefs. Our faith teaches us that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Is there a better maxim than this?!
Patriarch Kirill and Mr. Putin
THE ANNALS OF sycophancy are, alas, replete with examples of churchmen toadying to political power. Here in the United States, we’ve seen too much of that among certain evangelical leaders recently. In today’s Sycophancy Sweepstakes, however, it’s hard to top Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
An Invitation to Love
There is no greater joy than accepting the invitation, the challenge even, to love God more each day. He calls me to draw nearer to Him every day in my community as His spouse. This is religious life: an invitation to love.