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

November 7, 2025Culture

In January, I wrote about the Jubilee Year, initiated by Pope Francis, which calls us all to be Pilgrims of Hope. One of the hallmarks of a Jubilee Year is the celebration of communities of faith. The ...

Faith & Family

NovemberArchbishop Richard G. Henning

In this last month of the liturgical year, before the new year begins with the First Sunday of Advent, the Scripture passages turn to the ultimate things -- ultimate in the sense of last and also in the ...

Culture & Events

Preserving apostolic tradition: Newman on women in holy ordersDeacon Dominic Cerrato

The question of admitting women to the diaconate has captured the attention of theologians, pastors, and faithful Catholics alike. It raises profound theological and historical concerns about the nature ...

Faith & Family

Liturgy of the Word -- The GospelFather Robert M. O'Grady

The focal point of the Liturgy of the Word is the proclamation of the Gospel. Its importance is highlighted by the acclamation about which we wrote last week. Only one who is ordained can read the Gospel ...

Faith & Family

November Masses in the MissionsMaureen Crowley Heil

November is a time of change and a time of reflection. The trees begin their show, then the air cools. Summer "toys" are packed away; we set the clocks back. These are the practicalities of the season. ...

Culture & Events

Newman on conversionRussell Shaw

Lately I've had occasion to read two books by St. John Henry Newman. One is Newman's first novel, "Loss and Gain," while the other is that classic "history of my religious opinions" (Newman's ...

Culture & Events

Remembering Boston's World War I chaplainsSavannah Miller

As we celebrate Veterans Day this week, we remember the important work of the chaplains who ministered to the Catholic men fighting in the First World War. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice ...

Faith & Family

Body buildingScott Hahn

Why commemorate a church dedication that happened in fourth-century Rome? First, because St. John Lateran is no ordinary church -- it's the cathedral church of the pope and still known as "the mother ...

Culture & Events

Raising their voice for justiceGreg Erlandson

History has shown that collectively America's bishops have taken controversial stands that have helped animate and even shape the national discussion. Perhaps most noteworthy was their 1919 "Bishops' ...