VOCATION NETWORK

The Stations of the Cross

Where do the Stations of the Cross come from?

Two Testaments, one story

What's the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

Take a bow

When and where is it appropriate to bow inside Catholic churches?

Can I come back to the church?

I was raised Roman Catholic and converted to my husband's Orthodox faith 20 years ago. Can I "convert back"?

Homilies and why we have them

Why does the priest talk after the readings at Mass?

Listen for the echo of faith

What's the difference between catechesis and evangelization?

Author, author!

Didn't Saint Paul write all the letters attributed to him?

Did the devil make you do it?

Are we supposed to believe in angels and demons in the 21st century?

All the saints

Who are the saints? Why do we pray to them?

For those who have gone before

Why pray for the dead?

The Doctors are in

Who are the "Doctors of the Church"?

Loaded canons

How were the books of the Bible chosen?

Pray always

What's the difference between saying "set" prayers and prayers in my own words?

What to believe: The basics

The Vatican publishes new teachings all the time. What do Catholics have to believe?

Prophet motives

Who were the prophets? Does God still call people to prophecy?

Scripture for Mass consumption

What is the lectionary?

More than a nice gesture

Why do Catholics bless themselves, genuflect, and so on?

The Way to the church

Did Jesus establish a church? How did we get from following “the Way” of Jesus to this big institution?

The teaching church

What do we mean by the church’s “magisterium”?

God’s work

Is there salvation outside the Catholic Church?

Fun for nuns—and priests and brothers, too

What do people in religious life do for fun?

Celibacy and religious life

Why is celibacy important to religious life?

Vocation: For all of life, or only "religious life"?

Does all vocation come from God, and is it only for "religious life"?

What is contemplation?

What is contemplation?

Is my vocation from God or just my imagination?

How do I know if a call to religious life is from God or just my imagination?

Everyday disciples

What does the Bible say about discipleship?

Order priest or diocesan priest?

How do I know whether I'm suited for being an order priest or a diocesan priest?

Scripture and tradition

What do Catholics believe about scripture and tradition?

There's no spin with sin

Sin is such a negative, churchy word. Can't we just talk about “failure”?

Reading the Bible

Do I have to read the Bible myself or can I just rely on hearing it at Mass?

Being happy

How can I be happy?

How can I live a holy life?

I know the things I should and shouldn't do, but I seem to always fall short. Is holiness really achievable?