Indonesia sees itself as a site of calm and tolerance during a time when different faiths come into ruinous conflict in other nations, a self-image undermined by flare-ups of religiously motivated violence.

A Reflection for Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time, by Connor Hartigan

The works of mercy are the practices that Christian disciples collectively engage to respond to the needs of others. Both the Beatitudes and the works of mercy are our pathways, one inner, one outer, to lead us into fellowship with the poor in spirit.

Pope Francis’ second day in Indonesia involved two major events: a meeting with political and religious authorities and an encounter with the Catholic bishops, clergy and catechists at the cathedral.

After Israel recovered the bodies of 6 hostages in Gaza, including the body of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, President Biden, who has met with Hersh’s parents, said, “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.”

There is no bigger question for Catholics today than this: Why should anyone become or remain Catholic?

The Diocese of Paterson, N.J., argues that the change “will cause severe and substantial disruption to the lives and religious freedoms” of the priests as well as the hundreds of thousands of Catholics they serve.

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time, by Valerie Schultz

A Reflection for the Memorial of St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, by Rachel Lu

This Labor Day, may we recognize all the laborers in the Lord’s vineyard and embrace them for who they truly are—our brothers and sisters.