Today the Church celebrates All Saints' Day. Robert Ellsburg, a Catholic writer long associated with the Catholic Worker movement, describes saints: Each one offers a unique glimpse of the face of God; each enlarges our moral imagination; each offers new insights into the meaning and possibilities of human life." We don't all like all of the saints. But there is such a variety that it is not difficult for any of us to have a few favourites. ""...
In this series of ongoing postings, Fred Power, SJ, offers a guide to the books of the Bible. True Scriptural reading is the careful, intelligent and prayerful use of the Bible by a believer. We begin with an introduction that includes the idea that God has something to say to us....
In this article, posted originally in The Jesuit Post, Bill McCormick,SJ looks at what Americans can take away from the Pope's visit to the USA. "I think Boehner's "It's the Pope!" will remain my favorite interpretation of Francis' time with us. Because it is the pope who inspires us. But now it's up to us to follow his lead."...
One of my responsibilities is to help our Jesuit Provincial Superior as his Assistant for the Native Apostolate. I've carried out that responsibility for over a year. I was stunned when Fr. Bisson asked me to do this, because I've shamefully had so little experience of Aboriginal People or their culture. Within a month or so, I found myself being consoled that I said yes. The role means that I'm supposed to be a support for our Jesuit ministries with indigenous peoples....
I can still hear my mother sing in her melodic voice the song Little Things Mean a Lot," and did she ever put into practice what she taught us! It is not the big projects and grandiose schemes that touch hearts, as much as the small things like being polite, welcoming someone, smiling, saying thank you, and being present to those who are ill or lonely."...
When Jesus spoke about the family, He often described another family; His family. We believe that He was referring to those who hear the word of God and live it as members of His family. During the recent passing of my son John, I discovered again just what Jesus meant when He spoke of those who seek to follow Him. I have been supported through cards, phone calls, hugs by acquaintances in the grocery store, sympathetic smiles at the bank and this outreach has helped all of us who are grieving the loss of my son....
igNation asked Father Fred Power, SJ how he accounted for his ability to keep writing articles at the age of 91....
St. Joe's Prep, the Jesuit high school in Philadelphia – hosted 2Philly4Francis," an intentional, spiritual journey to coincide with Pope Francis' visit . . At school I worked for months with a team of students and adult volunteers to prepare to welcome more than 300 teenage pilgrims from 42 Jesuit high schools for a 5-day, 4-night event filled with talks, breakout sessions, prayer and, we hoped, more than a few sightings of His Holiness."This article first appeared in The Jesuit Post....
Upon returning to Winnipeg's famed English Gardens after some thirty two years, Frank Obrigewitsch, SJ reflects on gardens. Thoughts of famous paintings of gardens give way to memories of his mother's massive garden of vegetables and flowers....
