U.S. Catholic magazine
@uscatholic.bsky.social
Covering faith and justice since 1935.
Christians are called to look past the flags and bumper stickers, denominations and political parties: The Catholic church is inclusive by design.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
Being Catholic means putting universal community first - U.S. Catholic
Christians are called to look past flags and bumper stickers, denominations and factions: The catholic church is inclusive by design.
uscatholic.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Christians are called to look past the flags and bumper stickers, denominations and political parties: The Catholic church is inclusive by design.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
In this month's Sounding Board essay, theologian Dan Horan challenges us to expand our concept of personhood beyond humanity.
What do you think? Do you believe non-human animals can be persons?
Take our survey here.
What do you think? Do you believe non-human animals can be persons?
Take our survey here.
Are animals people too?
Is there room in Catholic theology to expand personhood to nonhuman animals? Take our survey.
uscatholic.org
January 23, 2026 at 9:07 PM
In this month's Sounding Board essay, theologian Dan Horan challenges us to expand our concept of personhood beyond humanity.
What do you think? Do you believe non-human animals can be persons?
Take our survey here.
What do you think? Do you believe non-human animals can be persons?
Take our survey here.
While Catholics who oppose legal prohibitions against abortion are censured, Catholics perpetuating violence, misogyny, and racism are given a pass. By focusing on one type of harm while acquiescing to other grave harms, the church has given the impression that those other harms are permissible.
The pro-life movement is steeped in misogyny
Catholics who oppose legal prohibitions against abortion are censured, while those perpetuating violence, misogyny, and racism get a pass.
uscatholic.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM
While Catholics who oppose legal prohibitions against abortion are censured, Catholics perpetuating violence, misogyny, and racism are given a pass. By focusing on one type of harm while acquiescing to other grave harms, the church has given the impression that those other harms are permissible.
The practice of listening for a guiding word comes from the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, who sought the presence of the divine. This tradition was a way of seeking something to ponder for days, weeks, months, or sometimes a whole lifetime.
Listen for a word, and let it guide your year
The practice of listening for a guiding word comes from the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, who sought the presence of the divine.
uscatholic.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The practice of listening for a guiding word comes from the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, who sought the presence of the divine. This tradition was a way of seeking something to ponder for days, weeks, months, or sometimes a whole lifetime.
The perennial question of women’s roles in the life of the church is not limited to the diaconate alone. But the larger conversation on women’s roles has often lacked urgency, transparency, and genuine discernment—and in some spaces, even compassion.
Advancing women's vocations is the work of the entire church -
The responsibility of promoting women's roles in the church falls to all Catholics—including the men.
uscatholic.org
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The perennial question of women’s roles in the life of the church is not limited to the diaconate alone. But the larger conversation on women’s roles has often lacked urgency, transparency, and genuine discernment—and in some spaces, even compassion.
In her biography of Augustine, Conybeare reclaims his North African identity, exploring how his cultural context set the stage for his writings. She demonstrates how Augustine—and, by extension, core ideas of Christian thought—are grounded in this context.
How Augustine’s North African context shaped his theology
Seeing Augustine in his North African context is essential for understanding his thought—and, by extension, core ideas of Christian theology.
uscatholic.org
January 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In her biography of Augustine, Conybeare reclaims his North African identity, exploring how his cultural context set the stage for his writings. She demonstrates how Augustine—and, by extension, core ideas of Christian thought—are grounded in this context.
In place of our current binary approach to abortion, consider a holistic perspective informed by Scripture and the example of Jesus.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/pro-life-pro-choice-try-being-pro-grace-instead/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/pro-life-pro-choice-try-being-pro-grace-instead/
Pro-life? Pro-choice? Try being pro-grace instead.
In place of our current binary approach to discussing abortion, consider a holistic perspective informed by Scripture and the life of Jesus.
uscatholic.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM
In place of our current binary approach to abortion, consider a holistic perspective informed by Scripture and the example of Jesus.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/pro-life-pro-choice-try-being-pro-grace-instead/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/pro-life-pro-choice-try-being-pro-grace-instead/
When words lose their force, when we don’t know what to say, neutrality starts to feel tempting. If we can’t add anything to the conversation, if it’s all been said before, then why should we raise our voice? This, too, is how violence advances.
Catholic silence in the face of ICE violence is not neutral
When outrage no longer feels adequate, the temptation to fall silent grows, but neutrality is how violence advances.
uscatholic.org
January 20, 2026 at 9:54 PM
When words lose their force, when we don’t know what to say, neutrality starts to feel tempting. If we can’t add anything to the conversation, if it’s all been said before, then why should we raise our voice? This, too, is how violence advances.
Like with China’s one-child error, the damage to the United States, from the administration's xenophobic hostility to immigrants, is completely self-inflicted.
Anti-immigration policies accelerate U.S. population loss
There are many reasons why current xenophobic immigration policies spell trouble for the future—including concerns about the U.S. population.
uscatholic.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Like with China’s one-child error, the damage to the United States, from the administration's xenophobic hostility to immigrants, is completely self-inflicted.
Today, women and Black Americans have the right to vote. Jim Crow laws are a thing of the past. Our workdays last eight hours. Children don’t work in the mines. There is a minimum wage. All these basic protections were won by protesters.
We are all called to protest, says this civil rights lawyer
In the United States, protest is baked into our DNA. But what is protest? It doesn’t always look like strikes or big rallies.
uscatholic.org
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Today, women and Black Americans have the right to vote. Jim Crow laws are a thing of the past. Our workdays last eight hours. Children don’t work in the mines. There is a minimum wage. All these basic protections were won by protesters.
The loss of USAID has been devastating for Nigeria. But Catholic sisters continue to care for those in need, even when the world turns away.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/despite-usaid-cuts-nigerian-sisters-continue-mission-of-care/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/despite-usaid-cuts-nigerian-sisters-continue-mission-of-care/
Despite USAID cuts, Nigerian sisters continue mission of care
The loss of USAID has been devastating for Nigeria. But Catholic sisters continue to care for those in need, even when the world turns away.
uscatholic.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The loss of USAID has been devastating for Nigeria. But Catholic sisters continue to care for those in need, even when the world turns away.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/despite-usaid-cuts-nigerian-sisters-continue-mission-of-care/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/despite-usaid-cuts-nigerian-sisters-continue-mission-of-care/
One potential problem is that a depiction of Jesus’ life that tells us only what everyone “already knows” actually tells us less than that—because what we know so well in one sense, we see only dimly in another. Paradoxically, overfamiliarity obscures the text.
Do comfort-food Jesus movies have a place on your watchlist?
U.S. Catholic readers weigh in on whether feel-good depictions of Jesus do more harm than good.
uscatholic.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM
One potential problem is that a depiction of Jesus’ life that tells us only what everyone “already knows” actually tells us less than that—because what we know so well in one sense, we see only dimly in another. Paradoxically, overfamiliarity obscures the text.
Christians are called to look past the flags and bumper stickers, denominations and political parties: The catholic church is inclusive by design.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
Being Catholic means putting universal community first - U.S. Catholic
Christians are called to look past the flags and bumper stickers, denominations and political parties: The catholic church is inclusive by design.
uscatholic.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Christians are called to look past the flags and bumper stickers, denominations and political parties: The catholic church is inclusive by design.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/being-catholic-means-putting-universal-community-first/
According to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, 39 percent of Americans believe that “we are living in the end times.” That number jumps to 63 precent for evangelical Protestants, but is still 27 percent for Catholics.
What do Catholics actually believe about the apocalypse?
We asked U.S. Catholic readers—and a humanities scholar—what American Catholics really believe about the apocalypse.
uscatholic.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
According to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, 39 percent of Americans believe that “we are living in the end times.” That number jumps to 63 precent for evangelical Protestants, but is still 27 percent for Catholics.
Bishops in the United States have threatened to deny communion to politicians such as John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, and former President Joe Biden over their public support for legal abortion—an approach many people decried as weaponizing the sacrament.
The Eucharist is inherently political
Well-intentioned pleas not to politicize the Eucharist miss this theological truth: the Body of Christ can't be disconnected from politics.
uscatholic.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Bishops in the United States have threatened to deny communion to politicians such as John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, and former President Joe Biden over their public support for legal abortion—an approach many people decried as weaponizing the sacrament.
Shelley’s novel places Victor in the role of an abandoning mother—birthing his child then, horrified by his abnormal appearance, running away. In del Toro’s version, Victor is framed more as a bad father who is overly demanding in his expectations for his offspring.
Del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ invites reflection on forgiveness - U.S. Catholic
Guillermo del Toro’s alterations to Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel make generational trauma the real monster.
uscatholic.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Shelley’s novel places Victor in the role of an abandoning mother—birthing his child then, horrified by his abnormal appearance, running away. In del Toro’s version, Victor is framed more as a bad father who is overly demanding in his expectations for his offspring.
Calling all poets!
See our website for submission details.
See our website for submission details.
January 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Calling all poets!
See our website for submission details.
See our website for submission details.
The problem is, practically no one outside of the White House is interested in reviving coal. The president may succeed only in driving up energy costs for American consumers, who will be deprived of new capacity from what had been a rapidly expanding clean energy sector.
Trying to revive coal makes neither moral nor practical sense
As U.S. leaders fixate on bringing back the coal industry, the Vatican insists on our need for clean energy.
uscatholic.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The problem is, practically no one outside of the White House is interested in reviving coal. The president may succeed only in driving up energy costs for American consumers, who will be deprived of new capacity from what had been a rapidly expanding clean energy sector.
How has being online shaped your identity, faith, or politics?
Has your online experience been positive or negative?
And how might the church address the moral impact of our digital lives?
Take U.S. Catholic's survey on internet culture and ethics.
Has your online experience been positive or negative?
And how might the church address the moral impact of our digital lives?
Take U.S. Catholic's survey on internet culture and ethics.
Can we imagine a better internet? - U.S. Catholic
If logging off isn't realistic, how do we make peace with the many issues in our online world? Take our survey.
uscatholic.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:10 PM
How has being online shaped your identity, faith, or politics?
Has your online experience been positive or negative?
And how might the church address the moral impact of our digital lives?
Take U.S. Catholic's survey on internet culture and ethics.
Has your online experience been positive or negative?
And how might the church address the moral impact of our digital lives?
Take U.S. Catholic's survey on internet culture and ethics.
The ordinary here does not refer to a season of dull routine but rather the listing of ordinal, or sequential, numbers. This is what is meant by the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, etc.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202306/what-is-ordinary-time/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202306/what-is-ordinary-time/
What is Ordinary Time?
What is Ordinary Time on the Catholic liturgical calendar? The word "ordinary" here does not imply a season of dull routine.
uscatholic.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The ordinary here does not refer to a season of dull routine but rather the listing of ordinal, or sequential, numbers. This is what is meant by the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, etc.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202306/what-is-ordinary-time/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202306/what-is-ordinary-time/
How do we work for unity in the church, when others around us use the faith to advance views we know to be abhorrent? Seeking unity does not demand that I acquiesce to injustice.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/in-an-age-of-discord-what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-body-of-christ/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/in-an-age-of-discord-what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-body-of-christ/
In an age of discord, what does it mean to be the body of Christ?
How do we work for unity in the church, when others around us use the faith to advance views we know to be abhorrent?
uscatholic.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
How do we work for unity in the church, when others around us use the faith to advance views we know to be abhorrent? Seeking unity does not demand that I acquiesce to injustice.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/in-an-age-of-discord-what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-body-of-christ/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/in-an-age-of-discord-what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-body-of-christ/
May the waters that touched Jesus continue to renew us as we live out God’s calling.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/a-reflection-for-january-11-2026-the-feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
Grace Ji-Sun Kim reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/a-reflection-for-january-11-2026-the-feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
A reflection for January 11, 2026, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Grace Ji-Sun Kim offers a reflection for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 11, year A in the Roman missal: May we do the Spirit's work of healing and renewal.
uscatholic.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
May the waters that touched Jesus continue to renew us as we live out God’s calling.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/a-reflection-for-january-11-2026-the-feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
Grace Ji-Sun Kim reflects on the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/a-reflection-for-january-11-2026-the-feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
The gospels describe John the Baptist’s baptism as one of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins," and many Christians focus on this aspect of the sacrament. Yet Jesus, who was sinless, sought baptism from John.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/what-does-jesus-baptism-have-to-do-with-ours/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/what-does-jesus-baptism-have-to-do-with-ours/
What does Jesus’ baptism have to do with ours?
Baptismal solidarity calls us to reframe how we approach social issues. It asks us to orient ourselves with the poor and the marginalized.
uscatholic.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The gospels describe John the Baptist’s baptism as one of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins," and many Christians focus on this aspect of the sacrament. Yet Jesus, who was sinless, sought baptism from John.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/what-does-jesus-baptism-have-to-do-with-ours/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/what-does-jesus-baptism-have-to-do-with-ours/
When federal agents use force against individuals peacefully engaging in acts of faith, the government undermines one of the nation’s oldest and most cherished liberties.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/ice-attacks-on-clergy-are-an-assault-on-religious-freedom/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/ice-attacks-on-clergy-are-an-assault-on-religious-freedom/
ICE attacks on clergy are an assault on religious freedom - U.S. Catholic
What further violations of the rights to religious expression and peaceful assembly might follow?
uscatholic.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:12 PM
When federal agents use force against individuals peacefully engaging in acts of faith, the government undermines one of the nation’s oldest and most cherished liberties.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/ice-attacks-on-clergy-are-an-assault-on-religious-freedom/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/ice-attacks-on-clergy-are-an-assault-on-religious-freedom/
God gave us the agency to respond to the world in whatever way we like. We can use our agency both to work for justice and to create joy.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/when-planning-your-year-set-aside-time-for-joy/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/when-planning-your-year-set-aside-time-for-joy/
When planning your year, set aside time for joy - U.S. Catholic
Amid tough times, joy isn't an escape from reality but rather a deeper engagement with it.
uscatholic.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM
God gave us the agency to respond to the world in whatever way we like. We can use our agency both to work for justice and to create joy.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/when-planning-your-year-set-aside-time-for-joy/
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202601/when-planning-your-year-set-aside-time-for-joy/