Arts and Culture

Book Review: Paths to truth a humbling and painful journey

January 29, 2017

Experts in Humanity: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing, by Josephine Lombardi, (Novalis, softcover, 143 pages, $18.95).

B.C. artist depicts St. Paul as a First Nations icon

January 26, 2017

VANCOUVER – A Vancouver church has acknowledged the rich First Nations heritage of its parishioners by installing an icon of St. Paul the Apostle wearing a woven cedar hat and holding a talking stick and cedar bough.

HBO's 'The Young Pope' repels more than it engages

January 20, 2017

NEW YORK – Behind the opening credits of "The Young Pope," a naked baby boy crawls over a sea of infant mannequins, and a man dressed as the Roman pontiff emerges at the other end.

Review: martyrs are the real heroes of 'Silence'

January 20, 2017

I have long been an ardent fan of Martin Scorsese’s films. Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Gangs of New York, Casino, etc. are among the defining movies of the last 40 years. The director’s Catholicism, however mitigated and conflicted, comes through in most of his work.

'Silence' actor Andrew Garfield did St. Ignatius' spiritual exercises to prepare for priest role

January 12, 2017

WASHINGTON – Actor Andrew Garfield underwent the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, as part of his preparation for playing a Jesuit priest in Martin Scorsese's new film, "Silence."

Book Review: Author of 'Here I am' falls short with long-winded novel

January 8, 2017

Jonathan Safran Foer used to be the next big thing in American fiction. Now, at 39, he is auditioning (not yet successfully) for the part of major author.

There’s nothing alien about the way God talks to us

January 7, 2017

Like E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Independence Day, and a host of similar films over the past 30 years, Arrival explores the theme of an alien visitation to Earth.

Noted biblical scholar Jesuit Father Fitzmyer dies at age 96

December 31, 2016

PHILADELPHIA – Jesuit Father Joseph Fitzmyer, a leading Catholic biblical scholar, died Dec. 24 at Manresa Hall, a Jesuit infirmary in Philadelphia. He was 96.

Review of Martin Scorsese's 'Silence'

December 22, 2016

NEW YORK – Directed and co-written (with Jay Cocks) by Martin Scorsese, Silence (Paramount) is a dramatically powerful but theologically complex work best suited to viewers who come to the multiplex prepared to engage with serious issues.

Vatican gallery reopens after seven-year restoration

December 21, 2016

VATICAN CITY – One of the jewels in the Vatican Museums will reopen to the public after a $2.4 million makeover to make it earthquake resistant.