Focus on Faith

A special kind of oil, sacred chrism, is an integral part of the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation. The minister dips his right thumb into a small bowl of chrism, then raises his oiled thumb, places it on the forehead of the candidate, and with a stroke down and a stroke across, anoints the forehead in the shape of a cross with the words, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The anointing with holy oil imparts the seal of the sacrament.

I have had the privilege of being a high school chaplain for eight years. It was not the assignment that I imagined having when I was ordained a priest, but I have found such great joy in serving God in this capacity.

I do not remember the movie (Dogma) in any great detail anymore (it was a poorly made and unfunny provocation), except for one image in it: Buddy Christ.

Q) I think that my mom loves me, but I don’t know. She clearly loves my sister more than she loves me; they joke around and have a much easier relationship with each other. She seems more annoyed by me, and I just wish she would love me more. It is really painful for me. What can I do?

This coming August marks not only the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II but also of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From the very beginning, nuclear weapons have been controversial.

On Aug. 6 and 9 the world will observe the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The 75th anniversary raises the question: What does the Church teach about nuclear weapons?

“Priest of Jesus Christ celebrate this Holy Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.” This saying greets a priest in the sacristy anywhere in the world of the Missionaries of Charity of St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Confirmation intensifies the gift of the Holy Spirit received at baptism. It is transformative. The person who is confirmed is changed. The recipient is no longer a child or beginner in the spiritual life, dependent upon the faith of others, but rather a full-fledged adult Catholic.