I love being a Catholic. I am a “cradle Catholic” from Essex County, Ont. I have been a Catholic priest for 54 years. Every day, I discover fresh insights into the richness of our faith. My reasons are personal to me, but probably shared by many others as well. I want to cite them here so that others may be inspired to draw up their own list. It is a grace-filled exercise.

Poverty isn’t always misfortune or bad luck. Sometimes it’s a vocation.

VATICAN CITY -- Existing formation programs are not preparing priests and other pastoral workers to be leaders in a church with an Amazonian and indigenous face, according to bishops participating in the synod for the Amazon.

MONTREAL -- When newly ordained Fr. Robert Assaly refers to seeking help from “Mother,” the term is just as likely to refer to his wife Nancy as it is to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sr. Mary Margaret Hope of the Morning Star spent years studying the heavens, but what she learned has taken her down a very different path in life than the one she was on.

Frater Marlon Bobier Vargas knew that his calling was to teach and to serve, but what he didn’t know was that his classroom went beyond the confines of four walls. 

It was one of those nights a well-travelled canoeist understands — you’ve set up camp after a long day’s journey, you are lying awake and the thoughts come to you as you try to drift off to sleep.

Fear is the number one obstacle for young people discerning religious vocations, says Sr. Helena Burns. 

WASHINGTON -- Spiritual advice was mixed with practical suggestions at the GIVEN Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum held at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

VATICAN CITY -- Too often when Catholics try to talk to young people about vocational discernment, "it's as if we were speaking Esperanto to them, because they don't understand a thing," Pope Francis said.

VATICAN – When it comes time for young people to make an important decision in life, if the possibilities do not create excitement and trepidation, "it's better to go to bed" and think about it some other time, Pope Francis told middle school and high school students.

MANCHESTER, England – Ordinations to the priesthood in Spain have soared by 24 percent in the last year.

VATICAN – Answering the Lord's call demands the courage to take a risk, but it is an invitation to become part of an important mission, Pope Francis said.

MADISON, Wis. – Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison died the evening of Saturday, Nov. 24, at St. Mary Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, the diocese has announced. He was 71.

As lofty and august as the title superior general may sound, Basilian Fr. Kevin Storey has no illusions about his next four years leading 154 men who teach and preach in Basilian parishes, universities and high schools from Colombia to Canada.