Updates
From the HPR Archives – Part VI
HPR archive, v. 43, 1943 Is Uncle Sam Becoming Mother Samuela? By EDGAR SCHMIEDELER, O.S.B., PH.D. Uncle Sam has been over the decades an easy-going, good-natured sort of fellow. He has been characterized by many lovable … continue reading..
New Articles
Homilies for September 2025
For September 7, September 14 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross), September 21, and September 28 Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time – September 7, 2025 Readings: Wisdom 9:13–18b • Psalm 90:3–4, 5–6, 12–13, 14 and 17 • Philemon 9–10, 12–17 • Luke 14:25–33 bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm There is a rare depiction of Jesus’ crucifixion at the […]
Evangelizing in the Workplace
A major area of common ground among all of us is work. After all, after collecting statistical data about lifespan, expected retirement, hours of work per day, number of work weeks in a year, and number of hours people in the U.S. sleep, the calculated proportion of U.S. people’s wakeful time that they use for […]
Patristic Pastoral Theology: Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine of Hippo
For you I am a bishop; but with you I am a Christian. – St. Augustine of Hippo1 For that which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved. – St. Gregory the Theologian2 What can the patristic era offer twenty-first century pastoral theology […]
The Sacerdotal Canons of Trent, Their Foundations, and Their Persistence
The Council of Trent provided for the Catholic Church and her adversaries a foundational structure for much of her teachings across a great many areas of theology, including the basis for her teachings on Original Sin, Justification, and — most significantly for this article — the seven Sacraments. Session 23,1 wherein the doctrinal chapters and […]
Disciplining Priests: A Synodal Moment?
In the past few decades, the Catholic Church has faced major challenges ranging from the sexual abuse crisis to financial collapse of numerous dioceses. One area that receives little attention is the deepening malaise of morale among Catholic priests. The U.S. National Study of Catholic Priests highlights falling levels of trust in their bishops, with […]
Strengthening the Priesthood in the United States
Practically speaking, the contemporary Church has made a strategic error in its renewal efforts: attempting a new evangelization without revitalizing its priests. I say “practically speaking” because, while there have been high-level efforts focused on the reform and formation of priests (i.e., Pastores Dabo Vobis and frequent updates to the PPF), these efforts have somehow […]
Questions Answered – September 2025
The “Great Schism”: What Happened and Why? Question: Dear Father Cush, why did the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church split? What does the Catholic Church teach about receiving the Sacraments in the Orthodox Churches? Answer: The division between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church is one of the most significant events in Christian history, and its roots […]
Book Reviews – September 2025
Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity. By Matthew Kim and Paul Hoffman. Reviewed by Randall Woodard. (skip to review) A Concise Introduction to Bernard Lonergan, S.J. By Rev. John P. Cush, STD. Reviewed by Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP. (skip to review) A Short History of the Roman Mass. By […]
Recent & Upcoming Homilies
Homilies for September 2025
For September 7, September 14 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross), September 21, and September … more...
Homilies for August 2025
For August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, and August 31, as well as August 15 (the Solemnity of … more...
From the Editor
The Discipleship Stage of Priestly Formation: A Thomistic and Pastoral Vision
The priestly vocation is a gift from Christ to His Church, a sacred … more...
The Restoration of the Permanent Diaconate After the Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council marked a pivotal moment in the life of the … more...
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