Mass

BY FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER It is not always easy to understand and explain our Catholic faith, and the word Mass is one of the difficulties. The Mass is the center of our worship, but what does the word Mass mean? The word is a shortened…

By Fr. Dwight Longenecker  So often we attend Mass and take things for granted. Not paying attention, we miss the meaning and overlook the significance of the little things. The bread and wine are brought forward during the offertory, and…

During the current health crisis caused by COVID-19, Bayard, Inc., Catholic Digest's parent company, is providing the texts of the Sunday liturgies free of charge as an aid to worship, especially for those who cannot attend Sunday liturgies…

It’s that time of year again. Time to make a list of resolutions for the new year and forget about them before the month of January comes to an end. Or at least that’s how it usually goes for me. No matter what your resolutions are, if you…

Dear Father: The summer months are a busy time with lots of recreational activities, vacation time, and yard work. The garden and the lawn seem to always need attention, whether it’s watering, pulling weeds, or mowing. Is working in your…

A friend of mine recently said that some people are “too into the liturgy.” His comment struck me as odd and I wondered if he would ever say anyone was “too into the Bible” or even “too into Jesus Christ.” The liturgy is the official public…

We collapsed into chairs at the kitchen table with tall glasses of ice water. Unwinding after a long, brisk walk around the park, we chatted casually, two college roommates catching up on life. Soon our light discussion turned more serious.…

There was a time in our life where Mass was a quiet place for worship. Time to reflect on life and all that has been given to us. Then, we had kids. These days Mass can be more like a three-ring circus, but without cotton candy — we have…

Catholics may frequently encounter Orthodox Christians in their communities and workplaces, yet most know very little about their faith practices. The Orthodox churches were born from a centuries-old division between Western Christianity…

This year it will be a quarter of a century since my wife and I brought our first child to Mass for the first time. Every Sunday Mass since, with the exception of a business trip, retreat or getaway here and there, we have knelt, stood, and…