U.S. Catholic

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts While people sometimes use the term “the church” as shorthand for the Vatican or the magisterium, the church is, strictly speaking, all its members, regardless of gender or vocation. So, while Catholic women are barred from holy orders and from most ministerial and leadership roles in the church, that doesn’t mean they […]

How does the world see Bernadette Soubirous, also known as St. Bernadette of Lourdes? With a new musical about her touring the United States after a successful run in France, it’s a good time to remember her—and explore some neglected details of her story. Bernadette, The Musical, named for the saint rather than her hometown, […]

The post

Nearly 20 years ago, an immigration raid sent shockwaves through our commu­nity. I was 20 when la migra (immigration authorities) swarmed into the Discount Mall, the epicenter of our community. Immigration agents, armed to the teeth with rifles and bulletproof vests, pursued my people as if we were the worst criminals. A protest broke out […]

The post

The negative feedback I remember most from childhood was that I had a “sharp tongue.” I wasn’t a backstabbing mean girl, but boy could I slice a person in half with a biting observation. Every now and then, my brothers will recall the impact my words had on them, and I’m filled with shame at […]

The post

For our Sounding Board column, U.S. Catholic asks authors to argue one side of a many-sided issue of importance to Catholics around the country. We also invite readers to submit their responses to these opinion essays—whether agreement or disagreement—in the survey that follows. Click below to take this month’s survey. When Black activi...