Judith Valente – Medium

Judith Valente

A ‘Refreshing’ New Pope

For a few hours last week, our fractious world united as one, awaiting word of who would become the next leader of the Catholic Church…

May 11

The future Pope Leo XIV rides a white horse among indigenous children in Peru, where he served for 20 years, first as an Augustinian missionary, then as archbishop.

May 11

Practicing Personal Resurrection

One of my contemplative practices in late spring is to observe the sure progression of buds on the trees near my house from, small green…

May 4

Small, budding leaves on the branches of a fig tree.

May 4

On Tenderness & Pope Francis

Earlier this month, I guided a retreat at the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Retreat Center outside of Bardstown, Kentucky. I always ask…

Apr 27

Pope Francis, in foreground, releases a dove before a crowd of onlookers in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.

Apr 27

Palm Sunday & A Place For ‘Todos’

Pope Francis has written and spoken many memorable words. He likely will be remembered most for one particular line. Todos, todos, todos…

Apr 13

A diverse crowd of people walk carrying palms in a Palm Sunday procession.

Apr 13

Learning To Love The World Again

The wonderful poet Lisa Breger, who leads a monthly online Poetry & Spirituality workshop I attend, sent out a beautiful reflection…

Mar 30

A map of the world in the shape of a heart resting on tiny yellow wildlowers in a field of grass.

Mar 30

A Priest Holds A Mirror To The U.S.

This morning I listened to an NPR report in which a group of conservative Christians expressed the opinion that our country is plagued by…

Mar 23

An American flag is tangled around a metal pole in front of a brick wall marked by white paint and a window with peeling frame.

Mar 23

Beauty, Poetry & Becoming A Saint

It was a joy to spend a day this past week at my undergraduate alma mater St. Peter’s University in New Jersey thinking about, talking…

Mar 16

Poetry books set on top of one another next to a tea cup and two pink roses on a wooden table.

Mar 16

When I Was A Stranger …

One of the most thought-provoking films I’ve seen in a long time is “Cabrini,” which tells the story of Frances Xavier Cabrini, the…

Mar 9

The top of the Stature of Liberty thrusting her torch in the air.

Mar 9

A House Cleaning Of The Heart

Lent, which begins this week with Ash Wednesday, is my favorite liturgical season. That might seem strange because Lent is often described…

Mar 2

A House Cleaning Of The Heart

Mar 2

A Shaft Of Light In A Forest Of Absurdity

A deeply spiritual friend wrote me this week of the national news, “We continue to pray for some calm in all this upheaval. I keep hoping…

Feb 23

A shaft of white light pours through trees in a forest.

Feb 23

Judith Valente

Judith Valente

Author of 6 spirituality books & 2 poetry collections. Award-winning reporter for Wall Street Journal, PBS-TV, Washington Post & 2 IL public radio stations.

Following

Help

Status

About

Careers

Press

Blog

Privacy

Rules

Terms

Text to speech