Monsignor William Brady, a professor of dogmatic theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College in Dunwoodie, New York, was asked in 1900 by the founder of Homiletic and Pastoral Review (then titled The Homiletic Monthly & Catechist) t … [Read more...]
What Direction Does the Church Give to Homilists?
May 20, 2021 by Fr. Charles Fox
Every Catholic has an opinion about how homilies ought to be preached. And while such personal observations and insights can be helpful, they do not provide a solid foundation upon which to build a sound understanding of what the substance … [Read more...]
Homily Possibilities for the Sunday Scrutinies
March 20, 2020 by Fr. William Dillard
During the three middle Sundays of Lent, the Christian people welcome in a special way the Elect who are presented to Christ’s Church as those seeking full communion. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent thus provide great opportunities f … [Read more...]
Bringing the Gospel to the Troops
A Survey of American Military Homiletics
November 27, 2017 by Deacon William Smith
The record of preachers in uniform is a remarkable one, filled with physical bravery and moral courage in the face of internal and external pressures, ameliorated by a deep, and very personal sense of care for the ordinary combatants who … [Read more...]
Ten Commandments for Transformative Preaching
November 29, 2015 by Deacon Edward McCormack, PhD
When people walk into church for Mass, they are searching for meaning. Psychologist William Damen, in his book, The Path to Purpose, tells us we are living through a crisis of meaning. Our superficial culture of consumption and … [Read more...]
Words Written on Ice and Wind
A Creative Writer Reflects on the Craft of Preaching
March 30, 2015 by Fr. Raymond Tucker Cordani
At the turn of the century, I graduated from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. Armed with an MFA in creative writing, I set out to write the Great American Novel. I taught writing at the University of Central Florida in … [Read more...]
Some Thoughts on Preaching
March 30, 2015 by Fr. Paul Anthony McGavin
Articles on preaching typically emphasize advance preparation. The most crucial advance preparation occurs in seminary, or even pre-seminary, in the systematic reading of Scripture. Long years and discipline in Lectio Divina are the … [Read more...]
Winter Reading for February 2015
February 24, 2015 by Book Reviews
Masters of Preaching: More Poignant and Powerful Homilists in Church History, Vol. 2. Ray E. Atwood (Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books/University of America Press, 2014) xiv + 469 pages. (Reviewed by Fr. David Vincent Meconi, … [Read more...]
Lest They Receive It in Vain
September 25, 2014 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Right lay preparation and interior disposition is necessary to effectively and fruitfully receive the grace of the sacraments, including and especially, the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist. The Vatican II Constitution on Sacred … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
February 20, 2014 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
What concerns should a priest have in the weekly homily? “New Evangelization:” What does it mean, and what are its primary focuses? Question: What concerns should a priest have in the weekly homily? Answer: Priests know that the … [Read more...]
The Renewal of Preaching in the Liturgical Homily for the New Evangelization
November 24, 2013 by Fr. Gabriel de Chadarevian, OP
My purpose here is not to detail the content of a good homily, but to delineate the focus and attitudes of heart and mind of the homilist himself. Outstanding Dominican preachers: Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St. Dominic, St. Vincent … [Read more...]
Should homilies offer systematic instruction?
June 2013 Editorial
June 21, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
...there has been, in my view, a serious neglect of instruction of the faithful in the fundamentals of the Catholic faith in a systematic way in most of our parishes. Recently a priest friend asked me, “How can we teach the faith during S … [Read more...]
Doctrinal Homily Outlines for the Year of Faith
January 25, 2013 by Kevin Aldrich
...the Scriptures are not a systematic presentation of the faith. Nevertheless, the doctrines of the faith are contained in Sacred Scripture, so the Lectionary readings can be the basis for preaching about doctrine. Pope Benedict XVI h … [Read more...]
Questions Answered: On Confession during Mass, and homilies given by non-ordained person
April 24, 2012 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Confession during Mass Question: I have heard there is a new document the Holy See has issued on confession, and that that document states that confessions may be heard during Mass. I thought this was not approved. Answer: On M … [Read more...]
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