Echoes - A forum of Catholic thought. The Opinion section of thebostonpilot.com

January 24, 2025Faith

One of our pastors dropped a note regarding this column. "If you are not planning a column for the Presentation, you should." Excellent idea, even if it interrupts the Holy Year prayer series. This feast ...

Culture & Events

The power of a 'nudge' to prayLaura Kelly Fanucci

During my husband's years in business school, he learned about the power of the "nudge": how to form a new habit by connecting it to a habit you already have. This practice changed my life, because ...

Culture & Events

'Do whatever he tells you'Michael Reardon

Recently, my son sent me a cartoon. It was the image of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles at a restaurant table, and Jesus is ordering for the group. He has a sheepish grin on his face as he says, "We will ...

Faith & Family

Faith to Rebuild in PakistanMaureen Crowley Heil

One of the rewards of having an active social media account for our mission office (follow us @BostonMissions) is the ability to be in contact with people all over the world. At the push of a button, ...

Faith & Family

Life is beautifulArchbishop Richard G. Henning

This week, tens of thousands of people, young and old, will gather in Washington, D.C., to give witness to the sacred dignity and the beauty of human life. I have had many opportunities to take part in ...

Faith & Family

Is kneeling to receive Communion allowed?Jenna Marie Cooper

Q: I have been hearing that the "norm" in the United States is to receive Communion standing. Does this mean that people who try to kneel for Communion are breaking canon law? (Florida) A: You are ...

Faith & Family

Why you should visit a monasteryDr. R. Jared Staudt

In his "Rule," St. Benedict remarks that a monastery is never without guests. Though he wrote this line 1,500 years ago, the monastery remains alluring even for modern visitors. The monks leave the normal ...

Faith & Family

Rethinking immigration: An alternative to mass deportationBishop Nicholas DiMarzio

Deportation is often seen as a last resort in enforcing immigration laws. It is not considered a punishment but rather an exercise of a government's sovereign right to exclude from its nation whomever ...

Faith & Family

Scripture Reflection for Jan. 26, 2025, Third Sunday in Ordinary TimeFather Joshua J. Whitfield

Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27 Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Having watched for Jesus in Advent; having celebrated his coming in the flesh at Christmas; having ...