U.S. Catholic magazine

A Sunday reflection for March 8, 2026 Kelly Adamson offers a reflection for the third Sunday in Lent, March 8, year A in the Roman missal: For all who are weary and heavily burdened.

Reflection: For all who are weary and heavily burdened.

Kelly Adamson reflects on the readings for the third Sunday of Lent.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202603/a-sunday-reflection-for-march-8-2026/

What we’re reading this month: March 2026 The books U.S. Catholic writers have enjoyed this month, including “Blessed is the Body” and “The Soulwork of Justice.”

Check out the books U.S. Catholic writers have enjoyed this month—including “Blessed is the Body” (Menno Media) by Tatum Tricarico and “The Soulwork of Justice" (Orbis) by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202603/what-were-reading-this-month-march-2026/

6 nature writers who show us God's abundance on Earth Creation spirituality gives us a framework for our own experiences of nature, leading us into contemplation of the Creator's loving care.

As climate change jeopardizes our planet, we must return to reverencing the cathedral of earth, sea, and sky. Creation spirituality gives us a framework for our own experiences of nature, the beauty of which leads into contemplation of the Creator's love.

Is there such a thing as a just war? | David Swanson On this episode of the Glad You Asked podcast, author and activist David Swanson discusses just war theory, where it comes from, and how it is applied.

Last fall, the hosts of Glad You Asked talked to author and activist David Swanson about whether war can ever be just. It's a conversation that's relevant for Catholics—and all people of good will—at this moment of global turmoil.

Connect with God by offering a blessing for others - U.S. Catholic When we give a blessing, we honor the holiness already present in others, and affirm the love of the Creator for all creation.

To bless means to make holy, but a blessing honors the holiness already present. The word comes from the Latin, benedicere: “to speak well of.” Blessings affirm the love and beauty of the Holy One in our lives and remind us to take nothing for granted.

AI’s inherent biases yield a false view of the church Since AI tends to perpetuate society’s worst biases, it both misrepresents the church's reality, and makes the work of reform more difficult.

Because it absorbs and uncritically regurgitates data posted on the internet, AI has a tendency to perpetuate society’s worst biases, including ones about religion and Catholicism.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202603/ais-inherent-biases-yield-a-false-view-of-the-church/

Work for justice with St. Katharine Drexel Let this pilgrim saint show you the way of justice.

On March 3, we celebrate St. Katharine Drexel. Growing up white and privileged in the era between the Civil War and civil rights, Drexel committed her life and fortune to aiding the welfare of two politically abandoned communities: Native and African Americans.

What did Thomas Aquinas say about women? Although many of Aquinas’ comments on women are problematic, he affirms the essential equality of men and women.

Although Aquinas’ comments on women are problematic in some respects, he does affirm the essential equality of men and women.

Read the latest in U.S. Catholic's series, "In Their Own Words."
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202603/what-did-thomas-aquinas-say-about-women/

Why I’m fasting from the church for Lent My faith is stronger when I focus on healing—for both myself and the church.

"This Lent, then, I will nurture healing by tending gently to the hurt places, claiming freedom from oppressive patriarchal norms that define my participation in the church."

Kathleen Bonnette describes why she's fasting from the church for Lent.

The Catholic liturgy invites us to be peacemakers Catholic peacemaking means recognizing that peace is not just a gift from God but a daily task, that begins with our own choices.

Disarmament and multilateral diplomacy are essential to building peace in the world. We are each called to become peacemakers both within ourselves and in our communities. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9).

A Sunday reflection for March 1, 2026 Angelo Kurbanali offers a reflection for the second Sunday in Lent, March 1, year A in the Roman missal: May we witness God’s transfiguration of our society.

May we witness God’s transfiguration of our society.

Angelo Kurbanali reflects on the readings for the second Sunday of Lent.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/a-sunday-reflection-for-march-1-2026/

In Scorsese’s work, fallenness and goodness abide At their core, the films of Martin Scorsese are about loving the least of these, no matter how fallen or fallible.

Toward the end of 'Mr. Scorsese,' the director asks him, “Are you a Christian?” He replies, “Yes, I think I am. I believe I am.” That perspective has allowed Scorsese to see both the fallenness and the essential goodness of characters the world might deem worthless.

How the sacraments help me live with a rare disease Cheap spirituality can be worse than useless, for someone living with a rare disease—but the sacraments can be assurance of God's presence.

Rare Disease Day is observed each year on the last day of February. The definition of a rare disorder, sometimes called orphan diseases due to the lack of research funding, varies by nation. The United States classifies them as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people.

When Lenten fasting collides with kids’ nutritional needs - U.S. Catholic A challenging Lent gave one family deeper insight into the purpose of fasting.

In the Catholic tradition, fasting has been tied to repentance, sacrifice, solidarity, and spiritual preparation. Someone might fast to express sorrow for sin. But one family had to rethink the purpose of fasting, to accommodate a child's needs.

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?

It is incumbent upon Catholics to educate themselves about recognizing mis- and disinformation. A further check is the introspection required to ensure your heart is aligned with the spirit of the gospels.

Black Catholic praise music is a gift for the whole church - U.S. Catholic The Black Catholic musical tradition is a source of wonder, hope, and inspiration—and a reminder that we're all neighbors in God's kingdom.

The Black Catholic musical tradition is a source of wonder, hope, and inspiration—and a reminder that we're all neighbors in God's kingdom.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/black-catholic-praise-music-is-a-gift-for-the-whole-church/

There may never be a perfect Mass translation The scriptural translation process is inherently imperfect—maybe it's time to make our peace with that and move past the liturgy wars.

Out of those who responded to our survey, 73% said inclusive language is important to them. One reader wrote that "more than half of our believers are excluded from the language used in scripture and in liturgies."
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/does-the-liturgy-need-a-new-translation/

Toward a theology of the fat body American diet and weight loss culture has infected Christian theology, leading us to fetishize certain bodies and demonize others.

Hang-ups over body size alienate Catholics from God’s abundance and one another. The association of thinness with goodness runs deep in U.S. Christian culture—but is rooted not in Catholic theology but in Calvinism.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202206/toward-a-theology-of-the-fat-body/

The traditional Latin Mass can reflect inclusive values Traditional liturgy can be a beautiful expression of the church's sacred commitment to justice and liberation.

Traditional liturgy can be a beautiful expression of the church's sacred commitment to justice and liberation.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/the-traditional-latin-mass-can-reflect-inclusive-values/

U.S. bishops unite to defend migrants—laypeople should, too Now, the bishops must persuade the people in the pews of their moral obligations, in the face of indifference, xenophobia, and cruelty.

Now, the bishops must persuade the people in the pews of their moral obligations, in the face of indifference, xenophobia, and cruelty.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/u-s-bishops-unite-to-defend-migrants-laypeople-should-too/

Reimagine Lent as a season of hope—Jesus did Lent isn’t just a time of penitence: At the end is a door inviting us into deeper life, and into a season of hope.

Reenvisioning Lent as a season of hope can be challenging. Walking the stations of the cross doesn’t feel very hopeful when we know what awaits Jesus at the end of this devotional tour of sacrificial love in action.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202503/reimagine-lent-as-a-season-of-hope-jesus-did/

How we made the Catholic wedding liturgy our own Wondering how much you can personalize a Catholic wedding? One intercultural couple discovered that it requires communication and creativity.

Wondering how much you can personalize a Catholic wedding? One intercultural couple discovered that it requires communication and creativity.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/how-we-made-the-catholic-wedding-liturgy-our-own/

What is Ash Wednesday? In its origins, Ash Wednesday was fundamentally oriented toward penance, which was also the focus of Lent at that time.

In its origins, Ash Wednesday was fundamentally oriented toward penance, which was also the focus of Lent at that time. Lent is understood differently today: Its primary focus is now, as at its origins, baptism.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202002/what-is-ash-wednesday/

Public health is part of the church’s mission Part of living out the healing mission of Jesus entails tearing down social stigmas and barriers to health.

Part of living out the healing mission of Jesus entails tearing down social stigmas and barriers to health.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/public-health-is-part-of-the-churchs-mission/

How was Pope Leo’s first year? What direction do you hope to see the church take under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership? Take our survey.

What has been your impression of Pope Leo in the past year?

How do you think his papacy compares to Pope Francis'?

What direction do you hope to see the church take under Leo's leadership?

Take our survey and let us know what you think about Leo's first year.

Taste and see the many ways of being Christian The coming of Lent conjures a complicated set of awakenings in my consciousness that rivals the coming of spring itself. Almost all of them involve food.

Too often Christians have joined the nostalgic chorus that rejects change and diversity—but
change is necessary along the road of reconciliation, and no one is excluded from God's loving mercy. The diverse foods we partake of, on Fat Tuesday and entering Lent, remind us of these fundamental truths.

Are Catholics universalists? Whether all humans will ultimately be saved is a question that has been debated among Christians for centuries.

Catholic doctrine is clear that God creates all human beings in God’s own “image and likeness” and relates to humans as a loving parent to their children. Therefore, God’s deepest desire is for all to be saved—which means that a kind of universalism is already alive in God’s work of creation.

A new parent's prayer in a city under siege As ICE terrorizes Minneapolis, a new parent reflects on the world their baby has entered—and finds assurance in God's enduring promises.

I’ve often wondered why God, in Jesus, chose to come into this world incarnate as a baby in a vulnerable community occupied by a violent government. God could have come at any time into any group of people; could have come in power, or, at least, in peace.

Is Mardi Gras a Catholic holiday? Mardi Gras originated as a time of preparation and celebration before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

In many cultures, Mardi Gras—or Carnival—has a double meaning as a celebration of emancipation. Whether through food or festivals, it’s well worth celebrating being free from shackles before embarking on the journey of Lent.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202302/is-mardi-gras-a-catholic-holiday/

How was Pope Leo’s first year? What direction do you hope to see the church take under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership? Take our survey.

What has been your impression of Pope Leo?

How do you think his papacy compares to Pope Francis'?

What direction do you hope to see the church take under his leadership?

How was Leo's first year? Take our survey here.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202602/how-was-pope-leos-first-year/