Ever since I was choosing a college as a senior in high school, I’ve sought to make my thought process open and transparent, to...
We like to ask kids, “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?” When we become adults, our questions and answers get a...
Only one Spanish soldier wanted to stay and fight on May 20, 1521, when it became clear that the advancing French troops were...
We’ve all seen it — the parent shushing their screaming child in the aisle of the grocery store, scolding them for crying....
Racing thoughts. Muscle tension. Fatigue. Restlessness. Worry. These are all common signs of anxiety and to some degree, we’ve...
I’ve struggled for a few years now with giving up gossip. It’s not for lack of trying or poor motivation. I know gossip has no...
The word “peace” is thrown around a lot. We hear it in the context of global events as commentators hypothesize about “world...
Many of us carry the weight of intergenerational family trauma, the scars of abuse, the burden of addiction, or the haunting...
If you were to ask my closest friends to describe me, envious would not be an adjective that I would expect to hear from them...
Do you feel like you are ineffective at work? Perpetually spinning your wheels or constantly operating in “the grind” without...
I often feel this thrill at work when I get to create something new to improve the lives of others. During these moments of...
Last year, a church in North Carolina went viral for a surprising reason: The congregation raised more than $15,000 and used it...
When Bethany’s boyfriend left their hometown to attend a Catholic school, she found that the nature of their conversations...
How do you pray? For the first 18 years of my life, it was mostly rehearsed prayers I learned in school or from my parents. For...
We are a lonely generation, and I don’t need to read a study to become aware of that. I have experienced it at times in my own...
The other day I was chatting with a friend over hot tea, discussing a change she was noticing in her significant other. His...
Have you ever had one of those experiences that was a big turning point in your life? In the moment, perhaps you didn’t know...
At Mass one Sunday morning, as I was kneeling after receiving Communion, I glanced up to see a man pushing his wife’s...
Have you ever had one of those experiences that was a big turning point in your life? In the moment, perhaps you didn’t know...
As the baby boomer generation gets older, our generation will see the population of senior citizens double. More and more...
One of the defining struggles of our generation is to balance the way technology occupies our attention and desire with our...
Throughout history, people have asked the question, what makes us human? Philosophers, scientists, and theologians have all...
Maura’s Story Around a dozen girls, sporting the reliable Catholic school plaid, sat in a classroom tucked away in a side...
Research suggests that, on average, we make well more than 200 decisions every day about what we eat and drink. And yet, most...
Ten years ago, I was in your shoes. Well, nearly ten years ago. I graduated from college in the spring of 2014, and a few...
When Meghan finished college, she dove into a well-paying and dynamic position at a tech company. But she couldn’t shake a...
As I write this, the other document open on my computer is my 51-page master’s thesis, the culmination of four years of...
For Gabby, following the “traditional” route meant graduating in four years with an immigrant-parent-approved degree. She...
One morning when I was learning to write computer code, I was given a problem and told to write an algorithm to solve it. I...
When my mother was born, my grandma did not know how to drive. She did not have a car at her disposal during the day throughout...
Yes, contrary to popular belief, Catholic feminists do exist.And if to do nothing more than make a little elbow room for the...
I know that feeling. You know the one. The one where you’ve hurt someone. Or you’ve hurt yourself. Maybe both. Someone was...
I hit Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22. The ground beneath me sloped steadily upward into a hill — the point in the marathon where...
Are you the kind of person who is easily affected by the weather or other parts of your physical environment? Does a negative...
Imagine trying to cut down a tree with a saw that has rounded teeth, or dicing a dozen tomatoes with a dull blade. You might be...
It’s perhaps never been easier to have fun, but how often do we pause to consider what kind of fun we gravitate to and how it...
My breath catches in my chest as the valley opens up before my eyes. Tall, towering California black oak, ponderosa pine, and...
My adult Easters have taken on a pretty predictable rhythm. My husband and I drive three hours to his parents’ house. We go to...
In the journey of life, we encounter an intricate maze of duties, aspirations, and ambitions. Situated within this array of...
Prayer is difficult to grasp for anyone. It’s a spiritual practice that can and will look different for each person....
Words are hard. I might have a master’s degree in communication, but I can fully embody with this sentiment. We all struggle...
“What are you giving up for Lent?” It’s a question we might hear or ask of someone else each springtime before Easter, possibly...
This Lent, many of us are giving something up or establishing a new daily practice, but it’s not at all uncommon that we’ll...
Lent is a time to take a good, long look in the mirror and come to terms with what’s working about our lives and what’s not....
There’s something special about Mass on Ash Wednesday — Catholics everywhere scramble to find a church and a Mass time so they...
I had never heard of the phobia of growing old before. Wyatt assured me that it was a real thing, though — he’s a student I...
While introverts are often typecast as people who are quiet, shy, and prefer to spend their nights sitting at home, those...
Karen spent several years serving the Deaf community in Cambodia. Here, she describes the humor and friendships she discovered...
A few years ago, I moved to a new city to begin a new job. While I welcomed the change of pace, I also found myself a bit...
A few times every year, I go through my social media platforms, removing various accounts and people I follow if I decide they...
Do you have parents? Are they human beings? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, chances are you would benefit...
Ever found yourself trapped in the cycle of waiting for that perennially tardy friend, organizing celebratory events for...
The new year comes with excitement of a fresh start! “New year, new you!” — right? Most people make resolutions for the new...
In June, my husband, four of our friends, and I arrived at the San Lucas Mission in Guatemala, weary and wide-eyed after a long...
My morning routine begins when my iPhone alarm rings. (The phone was made in China of individual parts from so many different...
One afternoon not long after our wedding, my wife Genevieve and I went to buy our first shared Christmas tree. This felt...
Unlike feelings of happiness or contentment, which can fluctuate depending on our circumstances, joy is something that we can...
Retail therapy. Ah, two words that caress like a silk Hermès scarf. If you’ve ever heard the siren call of the Target home...
Each year, the holiday season stirs up a myriad of emotions. For some, it is an exciting time of buying presents, seeing...
I’m ashamed to admit that the most wonderful time of the year can bring out the worst in me. The endless parties and other...
Does going home for the holidays just … throw you off your game somehow? You’re making efforts toward self-improvement and you...
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year… until you take a look at your bank statement a few weeks later. It’s not...
What if we could finish the year strong, instead of stumbling across the finish line? Whether you’re feeling like Buddy the Elf...
Each year brings with it an earlier roll out date of peppermint lattes, Christmas radio music, towers of toys and artificial...
Until recently, and I mean very recently, I really struggled to relate to Mary. One of my best friends and her family have a...
Watch any Christmas episode of your favorite sitcom and you’re guaranteed 30 minutes filled with celebrations, a happy ending,...
When everyone from Starbucks to your niece is reveling in holiday spirit, it’s a tough time to be lonely. You might be dreading...
There’s nothing quite like the first time one of your close friends announces that they’re having a baby. Adulthood gets real...
I sat down to write this article four different times before I began to put words to paper. That already tells you a lot about...
You’ve made up your mind: your flaws are causing you harm and you want to become a better person. But where to begin? In his ...
Fasting is having a moment right now. After decades of health experts telling us that grazing on small meals was key to health...
Usually, when we hear about fasting, we think of the promises we make to ourselves during 40 days of Lent. Friends come...
Born with cardiac abnormalities, Janelle’s been in and out of hospitals since she was born. While she’s been blessed with...
When faced with approaching death, where can we find comfort? In preparing for her mother-in-law’s passing, Nicole finds the...
I once heard stand-up comedian/author Jennifer Fulwiler say, “What if you are the answer to someone’s prayer?” In other words:...
What comes to mind when you hear the term “addiction”? For me, I think of substance abuse, alcohol, and opioids, but I was...
We are taught to impress at such a young age. As a child, did your parents nudge you to share how you got good grades on your...
Scott and I were hanging at an Oktoberfest tent party at the local German bar, doing what you do at such things. We came across...
My life has most recently started resembling the TV shows of my youth. In this scenario, I’m Steve Urkel from Family...
After moving four years ago, my family and I found it hard to connect with our new parish community. With three girls under age...
As I approached my mid-twenties, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next with my career. I enjoyed my work as a high school...
In the course of the day, you may hear of situations or people that move you, and you come up short on what to say or do....
For the past few years, I’ve been seeing a wonderful counselor. I sought therapy because I felt like I was being pulled apart...
We’ve all heard about how important prayer is to growing in your relationship with God, but there’s something about talking to...
When I was a kid, I used to get rosary anxiety. Picture 10-year-old me in a 15-passenger homeschooler van with all my friends...
Do you feel like your spiritual life could use a little more….well…life? Let’s face it, in the midst of our busy lives, it’s...
I’m fortunate to have been mentored in many settings. I simply wouldn’t be where I am without those experiences. Not every...
“Do you want to be my mentor?” I received this text from a high schooler I had interacted with when I helped with a summer...
Mentorships can be invaluable to our personal and professional development — if they are selected and structured thoughtfully....
There are few things I love more than stepping through the heavy front doors of my local bookstore carrying a stack of new...
We know that reading is good for us — so why aren’t we reading more? According to the Pew Research Center, more people are not...
I am a big believer in starting my day with something inwardly uplifting before I join the raucous call of the outer world that...
This past November, the American Psychology Association released their annual “Stress in America” report. The results are...
St. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem by Jews and handed over to Romans. After a long ship ride back to Rome, St. Paul was...
The old black and white film, Harvey, starring Jimmy Stewart, has become a comfort movie to me. I watch it when I’m feeling...
Historically, I have never had much of a prayer practice. I was accustomed to reciting prayers at mealtimes and seeking God’s...
According to the most recent surveys of religion in America, somewhere between a fourth and a third of Americans describe...
There is nothing more satisfying than putting a checkmark next to an item on my to-do list. As nerdy as it sounds, it’s a...
In fifth or sixth grade, my school took us to see a dead saint. The body of St. John Neumann lies beneath a church that rises,...
I still remember my first experience with backpacking ministry. I had volunteered for organizations who help the homeless...
Forgiveness is good for you. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can lead to improved self-esteem, a stronger immune system, lower...
For two and a half years I was a Jesuit, living religious life and experiencing what it was like to be part of the Church in...
Our world is hurting in more ways than one, anyone can see that. In order to do our part in helping to heal our relationships...
Whenever I get into a particularly busy season of life — like exam week, interview season, or when I’m tackling a huge project...
We were both standing in our kitchen. I made a gesture as if I was about to speak. My husband waited, but the words felt stuck...
I once heard stand-up comedian/author Jennifer Fulwiler say, “What if you are the answer to someone’s prayer?” In other words:...
Forgiveness is good for you. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can lead to improved self-esteem, a stronger immune system,...
“Have you ever read The Brothers Karamazov?” I asked my husband. “No, I don’t think so.” “Let’s go buy a couple of paperback...
Dating someone can be so exciting — your weekends are full of plans, adventures, and outings as you hit up movies, wine...
Where do we turn for wisdom about our sexuality? On the one hand, applying any sort of guardrails to our sex drive calls to...
Our habits shape a lot of our behavior, and it is hard to break bad habits and establish good ones. In You Are What You Love ,...
Terry recently became a new father. He also works as a teacher and tries to make an impact in his community through his social...
When expectant fathers or parents who just had their first child ask me for my advice as a father of three, my first...
One year into marriage, one piece of marital advice from my bridal shower has stuck with me above all others: always try to...
It’s the year 1250 — and you’re a French peasant who survived the most recent plague. Your landlord (literally the guy that...
Joe and Natalie LaHood are a married couple in Maryland who have opened a daycare for young kids with disabilities in their...
I never thought I’d have a spiritual director. Now that I’ve benefited from conversations with one, here’s why I think everyone...
I was recently sharing with a group of friends how frustrated I am that I cannot sustain new habits. It seems that no matter...
In the first weeks after her wedding, Sofía realized that her marriage prep process hadn’t covered some of the more mundane...
It’s hard when work is hard. As a career coach for people looking to be happier and more fulfilled at work, I see how career...
We pay a lot of attention to the big points in our married life such as our wedding day and anniversaries — but what about the...
Have you ever found yourself wondering if God exists? More precisely, wondering if there’s a way to know God exists without...
I’ve never had a very consistent prayer practice, but I challenged myself last year to use a daily journal. As it turns out, it...
When was the last time you really felt close to God? If you’d asked me that question a year or so ago, I would have struggled...
I’ve come a long way in building a regular fitness routine that is keeping my body healthy and strong. Seeing the benefits of...
Practices that increase our awareness, mindfulness, and resilience are incredibly useful tools when it comes to managing stress...
In my high school history classroom, one wall was adorned with striking yet peculiar wooden plaques. During Mr. Medeiros’s...
I once heard stand-up comedian/author Jennifer Fulwiler say, “What if you are the answer to someone’s prayer?” In other words:...
I received a text a while back with some terrible news: an acquaintance of mine had died in his sleep at the age of 26. It’s...
Back in 2016, memes started flying about how this was the worst year in recent memory. (I’ll wait for you to stop laughing.)...
Maybe you’re in a bit of a dry dating spell. Maybe your heart is breaking. Or, maybe you just want to see eye-to-eye with your...
“I would not be here if I was not loved so much,” said Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla at a 2017 luncheon. It’s true of all of us,...
This pandemic has been an experience of love and resilience amid turmoil and uncertainty, which has prompted me to think often...
Research shows that nearly 20 percent of couples get a divorce within the first five years of marriage — and that was before we...
Routines and habits ought to be a part of everyone’s lifestyle. How often have you thought ‘if only I could stop time’ or ‘if...
There comes a point when the course of our lives falls into our own hands. For the large majority, this shift begins taking...
If silence makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. It’s a strange, unnerving eeriness when we’re habituated to all the...
I was on a retreat as an undergraduate when I first prayed with Scripture using my imagination. The experience opened up a...
Whether you’re a college junior or well into your career, most of us will get to the point in our lives where we ask ourselves,...
We inhabit a world that prizes getting what we want as quickly as possible. Who isn’t in awe of Amazon Prime’s magical powers...
Our family vacation fell through this year. Our hotel booking had to be rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the...
Christian often feels a restless longing to find deeper meaning in life, but wrestles with feeling distant from God and the...
J. D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey opens with protagonist Franny Glass in the midst of an existential crisis. Looking for some...
When he was elected pope in the fall of 1978, Pope St. John Paul II came out on the balcony over St. Peter’s square and the...
There is nothing more satisfying than putting a checkmark next to an item on my to-do list. As nerdy as it sounds, it’s a...
We’ve all heard about how important prayer is to growing in your relationship with God, but there’s something about talking to...
In her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , Annie Dillard tells a few stories of men, women, and children who had been blind from...
Racing thoughts. Muscle tension. Fatigue. Restlessness. Worry. These are all common signs of anxiety and to some degree,...