OSV | Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly | Catholic news, analysis, features, and columns

Parsing good news in the numbers of the world’s Catholics

This column has free access for all visitors. By John Norton. The Catholic Church is growing slowly but surely

How ‘taking the discipline’ can get us into better spiritual shape

By Father Robert Barron. Ancient practice of corporal mortification can help curtail our earthly desires

USCCB negotiates pitfalls of coalition memberships

By Russell Shaw. Pro-life activists cry foul over some alliances with pro-choice, pro-same-sex-marriage groups

Quenching our thirst for living water

By Carl Olson. God thirsts for us so that we, like the Samaritan woman at the well, yearn for his eternal wellspring

Vatican meeting with Irish bishops disappoints victims

By Austen Ivereigh. They wanted concrete action, but papal letter may reveal a long-term plan to deal with the fallout

Sacrifices of the flesh

This article has free access for all visitors. By Emily Stimpson. Many saints practiced self-mortification, but in today's hedonistic society the discipline of denying one's bodily appetites is largely misunderstood

Italian squad brings stolen masterpieces home

By Nora Hamerman. Exhibit in Florence displays works that have been recovered and returned back to churches

No incense?

By Msgr. M. Francis Mannion. The tabernacle is not censed during Mass because it is not the focus of the celebration taking place

Reflect on financial mistakes, but recommit to goals this Lent

By Phil Lenahan. Take time this season to address financial shortcomings and plan for the future

How Catholics can roll out the welcome mat

Our Takes. 10 suggestions for making the elect feel like they're part of the family

In Focus: How 'hooking up' hijacks youths' happiness

By Tom Hoopes. The act of hooking up carries lifelong — and eternal — risks for young people today

We can reclaim the culture

By Teresa Tomeo. Here’s a way to fend off attempts to increasingly sexualize the world in which our families live

Means of resisting the hookup culture

In Focus article. College students give their advice on avoiding the hookup culture

Word games

This column has free access for all visitors. By Greg Erlandson. Culture is dumbing down written communication, but even this pusillanimous columnist takes a stand

Counteracting the hookup culture among high schoolers

In Focus article. By Stephanie Kornexl. Setting boundaries, explaining Church teaching and providing positive Catholic role models are key, youth ministry director says