Spirituality

Faith is a gift that is never imposed on anyone but must be accepted with an open heart, Pope Francis wrote to young people.

Church membership in 2020 dropped to 47% of the more than 6,100 respondents to a Gallup Poll. It is the first time since the polling firm started measuring church membership in 1937 that a minority of adults said they belonged to a formal religious institution.

Book review: Without judgment, Jesuit Fr. James Martin offers a road map that shows how prayer is for everyone — including those unsure if they believe in God — at all sorts of times and manners.

As Christians pray, fast and give alms during Lent, they also should consider giving a smile and offering a kind word to people feeling alone or frightened because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said.

Prayer makes every day better, even the most difficult days, Pope Francis said Feb. 10 during his weekly general audience.

The over 30 faith leaders who joined the online service also prayed for President Joe Biden, members of Congress, the nation's front-line workers, victims of COVID-19 and immigrants. 

The Rev. Kevin O’Brien said: As you live out this mission as servant leaders, I also remind you of the Lord’s promise ... "The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. .... Then the God of peace will be with you."

Praying to God in times of joy and sorrow is a natural, human thing to do because it connects men and women to their father in heaven, Pope Francis said.