Faith in Uncertain Times

In times of crisis and uncertainty, many people look to their faith or their religion for guidance and consolation. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary precautions we must take to keep ourselves and our communities safe have made even the most common religious practices and displays of faith more complicated.

For religious communities in America and abroad, the pandemic necessitated a rethinking of how to worship, experience our faith and find community beyond our churches, synagogues and mosques. In the past year, we have had to transform traditions around major religious celebrations from Passover and Ramadan to Christmas — and now we’re heading into our second Lenten season since the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. Despite the change and uncertainty, people are still finding ways to connect with their faith and are looking to their religious traditions as a source of comfort and hope.

Saint Joseph’s University’s experts, Rev. Dan Joyce. S.J. ’88 and Rabbi Abraham Skorka, reflect on the impact of the past year, the importance of faith during uncertainty, and how we can all continue to find ways to look to our faith to help us weather uncertain times.