James A. Hamel

In my experience, younger priests embrace the military-like sacrifice that their calling demands and try to live a counter-cultural lifestyle. Continue Reading »

Just as we don’t want science or warfare to be unmoored from ethics and morality, we should likewise insist that technology remain tethered to a proper understanding of human nature. Continue Reading »

The next time you pray, remember the men and women stationed in Greenland, living in isolation and darkness so that we can sleep peacefully. Continue Reading »

Social distancing rules have complicated the Rites of Christian Burial and the customary human interactions that accompany the death of a loved one. Continue Reading »

Today is a day to honor those who didn't get to come home. Continue Reading »

On the calendar of American holidays, I always think of Veterans Day as correlating to All Souls Day on the liturgical calendar, whereas Memorial Day is more akin to the Church’s observance of All Saints Day. On Memorial Day we honor those who gave their lives while serving in military operations; the glorious martyrs, if you will, of our great land. They are part of the “saints” that make up our national pantheon. However, on Veterans Day, as on All Souls Day, we don’t just honor the most heroic among us—the martyrs and saints—but rather, all who ever donned the uniform of our country . . . Continue Reading »

Last week I was sitting in my office at the chapel when one of our chaplain assistants came in and told me that an Airman was on his way in and wanted to talk with a chaplain. He wanted to know if I was available to see this particular Airman. I said that I was, but inquired further if the Airman expressed any denominational preference. “Did the Airman want to see a particular kind of chaplain?” The chaplain assistant assured me that the in-bound Airman didn’t have a preference; he just wanted to see a chaplain… . Continue Reading »