Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on his childhood Catholic faith, filled with rituals and prayers like those to St. Francis and St. Jude. He contrasts this piety with his current struggles to connect with spirituality as an adult, despite recognizing the enduring devotion in others. He finds solace in sacred spaces, valuing prayer’s nuanced presence in life.
Tag Archives: spirituality of the ordinary
Table or Altar: The Both-And Catholic Worldview
The blog reflects on differing perspectives as Eucharistic ministers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing both the divine and human aspects of Christ in Catholicism. It highlights the evolution of worship post-Vatican II towards a “both-and” approach, wherein both the sacrificial and communal meanings of the Mass coexist, enriching the faith experience.
Prophetic Voices from the Periphery
Joseph Stoutzenberger shares his experience of feeling like an outsider during a New Year’s Eve party, highlighting loneliness that many face. He connects this to Pope Francis’s sensitivity towards marginalized individuals, including women and LGBTQ+ communities. Francis’s inclusive actions reflect his understanding of Jesus’s embrace of the outcast and the importance of reaching those on the periphery.
A More Inclusive Church: Married and Unmarried Catholics
The Catholic Church views family as fundamental, yet a 2015 Pew study revealed only 51% of U.S. Catholics are married. With changing relationship dynamics, including cohabitation and same-sex couples, the Church faces challenges in inclusion. It must adapt to serve all Catholics, ensuring diverse expressions of holiness are recognized within the community.
Confession—a Sacrament of Consolation?
The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia hosts a weekly novena service and Mass, attracting many seeking intercession from Mary. Confession plays a key role, offering consolation and a personal connection to God. The sacrament’s modern emphasis on reconciliation aims to heal and renew relationships rather than impose guilt.
Join the Circus
by Joseph Stoutzenberger When I began the graduate program in English at Temple University, I took a course on medieval English literature. The professor was nearing retirement and perhaps nearing senility as well. He brought with him to class a cassette tape player and played classical music while he lectured for an hour and aContinue reading “Join the Circus”
How Can We Find the Holy in a Secular Age?
The city of Ephesus hosts a chapel believed to mark the home of Mary, where pilgrimage offers a chance to connect with the holy. The author reflects on modern secularism’s impact on reverence, contrasting tourists with pilgrims. Reclaiming a sense of the sacred requires wonder and contemplation in daily life.
Does God Exist?
by Joseph Stoutzenberger I never wanted to write directly about God. What can be said about what Catholicism calls “ineffable,” a term for that which cannot be fully described or explained. Some years ago, I did write an essay about the existence of God. I relied heavily on the “proofs” for God’s existence put forthContinue reading “Does God Exist?”
How Do Catholics Read the Bible?
The author reflects on his Catholic education, noting that he rarely engaged with the Bible directly. He discusses the historical context of Bible reading, the importance of interpretation within Catholicism, and the challenge of understanding scripture amid differing religious views. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for careful analysis when interpreting sacred texts.
Is Liberation Still Central to the Christian Message?
During the 1970s there was much talk of “liberation” among religions, especially in Catholicism. Gustavo Gutierrez and other Latin American theologians laid out a biblical and theological foundation for liberation as an essential element of the Christian message.
Joseph Stoutzenberger 