Recently, I received an email from a young woman who is discerning religious life. She wanted to know the possibilities available in the archdiocese for someone who is thinking about becoming a … more

La Iglesia siembre ha enseñado que la salvación es una gracia absolutamente gratuita. En virtud de los méritos del sacrificio redentor de Cristo obrado en la cruz, somos justificados en el … more

We all wonder about it at one time or another! What’s at the core of the universe? What is at the very foundation of existence? What power makes the world tick? Those of us fortunate … more

Until a couple of weeks ago, I never had the occasion to return for commencement exercises at my alma mater, St. John’s University, where I am a proud member of the class of 1985. That may seem a … more

Many motels in the United States offer motorists a free breakfast with each night's stay. The managers of a Comfort Inn in Florida provided a delicious example of this morning fare during my recent … more

Here’s an important word in the Catholic lexicon: holistic. When looking at the miracle, the work of art that we call the human person, we take in the whole: body, mind, and soul. This is … more

Father Stephen Norton, the pastor of St. Benedict parish in the Bronx, was preaching a couple of weeks ago on the Sixth Sunday of Easter from John’s Gospel. (“I am the vine, you are the … more

El semipelagianismo, como hemos señalado en otra columna, se expresa en ciertas actitudes o comportamientos, en teorías psicológicas que exaltan la capacidad del hombre para su auto realización, … more

May...the month of Mary. It’s appropriate, is it not? Creation is bursting with life. Grass, leaves, bushes, flowers—allergies!—all over the place. Nature is as it should … more

A few months ago, I was having dinner with several of those I am working with who are discerning the priesthood. These gatherings are great opportunities for me to get to know the men and give … more

En varias ocasiones el papa Francisco ha aludido al peligro que representa actualmente ciertas tendencias neo-gnósticas y neo-pelagianas. El Papa no pretende con esto hablar ex catedra (haciendo uso … more

The etymology of the word “care” includes the concept of bearing a “burden.” The phrase “not having a care in the world” comes to mind. Someone who is “care free” has no burdens to … more

You may remember the somber event that occurred in the days prior to Holy Week, when Firefighter Michael Davidson died in the line of duty battling a blaze in Harlem. The entire city grieved, and … more

The University of Notre Dame sure knows how to pick ’em. Last week, it selected two of the archdiocese’s finest for alumni honors. Joe Delaney received Notre Dame Alumni Association’s … more

El papa Francisco ha publicado, con fecha 19 de marzo de 2018, su tercera Exhortación Apostólica, con el título Gaudete et Exsultate (“Alégrense y regocíjense”). ¿Cuál es el propósito de … more

  Continued blessings this Easter season! Today, I want to write about a few matters: First, renewed congratulations to our new Catholics who entered the Church on Holy Saturday! … more

One of the facets of employment is attending regular meetings. Some meetings are rather routine, such as the editorial meetings we hold near the start of each two-week production cycle to begin … more

En muchos pasajes del Nuevo Testamento, sobre todo en los evangelios de Mateo y Juan, se nos presentan episodios de la vida de Jesús (antes de su nacimiento, de la infancia, su vida pública, así … more

It is almost always the first question asked when I tell people I am the vocations director for the Archdiocese: “How many guys do you have?” This could refer to a variety of different possibilities: How many are enrolled in seminary? How many will be ordained? How many am I currently working with who are seriously discerning? People ask this because there is a genuine concern about the number of men who are in active ministry and those who will soon join them. Our people see their priests doing more with less resources and are worried about what this will mean for the future and our access to God’s saving work in the sacraments. It can at times be discouraging or frustrating when we do not see the results that we would like. In the midst of this concern, there are signs of hope as well. more

Spring seems to be fighting to arrive! Winter still seems to have us in its death grip. Please God, by the time you read this, it will be warm, bright, and green. Spring will have conquered! more