Men march along a truck Jan. 11 carrying the coffins of people killed by Fulani herdsmen in Makurdi, Nigeria. With at least 80 people killed since the start of the year in conflict over fertile land in Nigeria, the nation's bishops condemned what they call brutal massacres of innocent people.

Developing a global conscience with the 'Share Lent' campaign

The disciplines of Lent — prayer, fasting and almsgiving — are an exercise in conscience formation. Lent is much more than conscience formation, but it is that.
Ash Wednesday reminds us of our “mortal nature.”

Ash Wednesday: Choosing Christ as your valentine

We begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14, only a few weeks after our celebration of the Christmas season. That’s early, so we may feel that we are not “ready” yet.  
A woman goes to confession in darkness at the start of the Easter Vigil led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Mar. 2016.

Herman Gooden: Yes, confession really is good for the soul

During Lent, well-trained Catholic minds turn to thoughts of confession.
Development and Peace rallied for mining accountability in Ottawa May 2014. Boxes were filled with over 80,000 postcards addressed to Canadian MPs to call for support for a mining ombudsperson.

Justice after 11-year battle to protect human rights in mining industry

“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). So begins the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. 
The Return of the Prodigal Son (1642) by Rembrandt

Francis Campbell: Making the most from our mulligans

I only wish I had a chance to do that all over again.

New Year's Eve aftermath in New York City 2015.

A New Year’s party? Bah, humbug!

I’ve never had much enthusiasm for New Year’s celebrations. Partly this is because of the utterly perverse timing of the holiday.
The Season's cover photo shows coach Ted Schmidt with the Mimico Marauders during a magical 1967 high school basketball season.

Ted Schmidt: Sport's real victories happen off the court

Last month, standing on the basketball court of my first school as a teacher, Mimico High, I launched a book titled The Season.

"Miracle of the Bread and Fish", oil on canvas by Giovanni Lanfranco, 1623

Ian Hunter: Scraps have a place in God’s economy

The only miracle that Jesus performed recounted in all four Gospels is the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, more commonly called the feeding of the 5,000 (or 4,000 in Mark’s Gospel, but who was counting precisely?).  
“Holy Babe” has been in the Saldanha family for 90 years.

Angela Saldanha: The signs of Christmas are longing to be shared

As we prepare for the coming of Our Lord in Advent, opportunities present themselves to put Jesus back (for a few weeks, at least) into the public gaze.
Emergency relief hospital in the YMCA after the Halifax Explosion, Barrington Street, Halifax.

Francis Campbell: Tragedy brings out the best in humanity

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage was in a reflective and reminiscent mood during a recent state-of-the-municipality address.
Rohingya refugees react as aid is distributed Sept. 19 at a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Thomas Reese: Pope Francis shouldn’t risk going to Myanmar

Pope Francis makes a visit to Myanmar Nov. 27-30 where he risks either compromising his moral authority or putting in danger the Christians of that country. I have great admiration for the Pope and his abilities, but someone should have talked him out of making this trip.
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