Judith Valente

Jun 12

Let’s Get Honest About Poor Preaching

You’ve got to love Pope Francis. The man isn’t afraid to speak his mind when he thinks it’s necessary. He doesn’t mince words when he wants something to change. …

Spirituality

4 min read

Jun 5

The Four-Letter Word We Need To Keep Saying

I had a lovely conversation this past week with one of my favorite theology professors from my time at St. Peter’s University in New Jersey. Father Bob Kennedy is not only a noted Jesuit theologian but an internationally- recognized Zen teacher who has earned the title of roshi, master. Father…

Love

5 min read

The Four-Letter Word We Need To Keep Saying

May 29

In These Chaotic Times, I Found Hope At A Graduation Ceremony

Like the rest of the country, I mourned the unspeakable carnage this past week that snuffed out the lives of 19 school children and two of their teachers in Uvalde, Texas. With the world in so much chaos, it is difficult not to despair. What shored my hope was attending…

Education

4 min read

In These Chaotic Times, I Found Hope At A Graduation Ceremony

May 22

What Advice Would You Give To Your Older Self?

There is a scene at the end of Season 3 of the wonderful television adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s mesmerizing quartet of novels, My Brilliant Friend. In it, Elena Greco, one of the two female protagonists, looks at herself in a mirror and sees her image several years into the future. …

Aging

3 min read

What Advice Would You Give To Your Older Self?

May 15

The Best Part Of Growing Older

The Broadway musical Spring Awakening is the quintessential show about the torments of adolescence. HBO recently aired a concert with the original cast, 20 years after the musical opened. The show begins with a hyper-active, angst-ridden group of teenage boys bemoaning “the bitch of living.” It’s the bitch of living …

Nature

3 min read

May 8

Mother’s Day Is About More Than Mothers

I attended an online poetry reading this weekend sponsored by Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry. One of the featured readers was poet, novelist and essayist Julia Alvarez whose works explore the identity of Latina women. Alvarez spent her early childhood in the Dominican Republic. …

Motherhood

4 min read

May 1

The Trees That Become Companions In Our Loneliness

Seemingly overnight, green buds have burst open on the neighborhood trees, as if they could no longer wait to pop. I try to track their changes from day to day. Ever since the pandemic erupted, trees have become important silent companions. I am increasingly aware of them wherever I go. …

Nature

3 min read

The Trees That Become Companions In Our Loneliness

Apr 24

What The World Needs Now Is Poetry

My friend Larry Janowski is a Franciscan priest and fine poet who has published two collections. Larry emails his friends a daily poem during the month of April, National Poetry Month. …

Poetry

4 min read

Apr 10

Looking At Our World Through A Palm Sunday Lens

A few days ago, I had the chance to meet online with monks of the Pax + Abbey monastic community. They are reading my book “How to Live” for their Lenten reflection. …

War

4 min read

Looking At Our World Through A Palm Sunday Lens

Apr 3

Have You Whispered To Your Heart Today?

I consider singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer one of the truly prophetic voices in our world today. If you have ever listened to any of Carrie’s songs, you know that she gazes upon the world through a lens of compassion. …

Body Image

4 min read