In the steps of Ignatius - and Arrupe

Humility coupled with linguistic flair, knowledge of East and West, and academic prowess may have made Adolfo Nicolás an obvious choice as the Jesuits’ new leader. But did the fact that his life mirrored that of a previous General also influence their decision?...

Finding God in an empty glass

As cheap alcohol is accused of fuelling crime and drink-related illnesses, one of Ireland’s most celebrated journalists recalls how booze hooked him and how AA freed him, one day at a time...

A call to engage

Catholic bishops visited the Holy Land last week to show solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli Christians. Religious and political leaders warned them that time is running out for those engaged in the peace process. Yet there were signs of cooperation between the two communities...

She brought Christ down from the stained-glass windows

For lovers of detective fiction, few novels can be as enjoyable as Dorothy L. Sayers’ The Nine Tailors. But as this address, given by a fellow crime writer on the fiftieth anniversary of Sayers’ death, highlights, she was also a religious writer of note...

Leap in the dark

Many of us shy away from the challenge of opening our minds and our hearts to God but unless we can surrender to him fully, we will never complete our final journey...

Heart of the matter

In last week’s Tablet, our columnist Clifford Longley raised doubts about ‘opt-out’ organ donation, currently under consideration by the Government. Here, a professor of bioethics examines what organ transplantation means for our understanding of death and our attitude to the body...

Deeper and deeper

This Sunday’s prayer highlights the liturgical assembly of the people, surrounding the table, says Daniel McCarthy. They are all part of Christ’s ministry, drawn into mutual exchange with the Triune God...

The loss of innocence

The Church teaches that a human being is created at the moment of conception, yet makes surprisingly little provision for those who are lost before birth. But a Mass for the Unborn does exist, and Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation, is an appropriate time to celebrate it...

The freedom to obey

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