Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is easy:

1. Create your account by clicking the "Get Started" button on our homepage

2. Select your preferred plan (or start with the free trial)

3. Enter the scripture passage you want to base your homily on

4. Customize your homily parameters (style, length, audience, occasion)

5. Generate your homily and make any desired edits

Most homilies are generated within 2-3 minutes. The exact time depends on several factors including the selected scripture length, homily complexity, and our current system load. During this processing time, our AI is researching relevant theological sources, analyzing the scripture, and crafting a thoughtful homily based on your specifications.

Yes! New users can create up to 3 homilies for free. This allows you to experience the full capabilities of our platform before making a purchase decision. Simply sign up for an account to access your free trial.

HomilyWriterAI offers multiple homily styles to suit your preaching preferences:

- No Template: Our AI creates a completely custom homily based on Catholic homiletic principles without following any specific template style (Recommended)

- Didactic: Educational approach focusing on teaching theology and scripture

- Conversational: Accessible, relatable style using everyday language

- Expository: In-depth analysis and explanation of scripture passages

- Inspirational: Uplifting messages emphasizing hope and encouragement

- Narrative: Story-based approach connecting scripture to modern life

- Topical: Addresses specific themes or contemporary issues

Absolutely! While our AI creates high-quality homilies, we understand the importance of adding your personal touch. After generation, you can edit any part of the homily using our built-in editor. You can modify content, add personal anecdotes, adjust language, or restructure sections as needed. Once you're satisfied, you can save the final version to your dashboard and export it for use.

All your homilies are saved in your personal dashboard. To access them:

1. Log into your HomilyWriterAI account

2. Navigate to the "My Homilies" section in your dashboard

3. Browse through your saved homilies or use the search function to find specific ones

4. Click on any homily to view, edit, or export it

Your homilies remain accessible in your dashboard regardless of your current plan status.

Yes! Our system includes a comprehensive liturgical calendar. You can select specific dates, Sundays of the liturgical year, feast days, or solemnities, and our AI will create homilies appropriate for those occasions, incorporating the assigned readings for that day. This feature is particularly helpful for planning ahead for important liturgical celebrations throughout the year.

We take theological accuracy very seriously. Our system is built on several pillars to ensure sound content:

1. Our AI model has been trained on authoritative Catholic theological sources including Church documents, Catechism, and writings of Church Fathers

2. We use advanced AI research technology to reference reliable Catholic commentaries and sources

3. Our team includes theological consultants who regularly review and refine our system

4. We incorporate feedback from clergy users to continuously improve accuracy

Our pricing is structured as monthly recurring subscriptions. Each month, you'll be automatically billed for your selected plan and receive a fresh allocation of homilies: Basic provides 15 homilies per month ($15/month), Standard offers 50 homilies per month ($25/month), and Premium gives unlimited homilies per month ($49/month). Your homily count resets at the beginning of each billing cycle, giving you a consistent monthly allowance.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and PayPal for secure payments. All transactions are processed through secure payment gateways with industry-standard encryption to protect your financial information.

Yes, we offer special pricing for parishes, dioceses, and religious organizations with multiple users. Please contact us at billing@homilywriterai.com to discuss your specific needs and we'll create a custom solution for your organization. We're committed to making our service accessible to religious institutions of all sizes.

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with our service. If you've used fewer than 3 homilies from your purchased plan, you can request a full refund by contacting our support team at support@homilywriterai.com. We want you to be completely confident in your purchase decision.

The use of AI for sermon writing is increasingly seen as acceptable, provided it serves as a tool rather than a replacement for the priest's personal engagement. Research from sources like Homiletic & Pastoral Review suggests AI can aid in theological research, organization, and textual composition, but it lacks the personal touch needed for effective preaching.

Father Derek Schuurman, in his article "Using Artificial Intelligence in Church," argues, "AI and technology are part of God's good creation," supporting its use to enhance, not supplant, human ministry. Priests should use AI for tasks like generating ideas, structuring sermons, or drafting initial content, then personalize it to ensure it resonates with their congregation and reflects their faith.

AI gives you the ability to explore everything written by Church Fathers and key magisterial documents on a particular topic, which is very helpful because your homilies will be aligned with Catholic magisterial teachings.

Read more about Using Artificial Intelligence in Church from Calvin Institute

Read the Homiletic & Pastoral Review article on AI-Generated Homilies

The Catholic Church's stance, as articulated by Pope Francis and various Church documents, suggests that Christians can use AI, provided it aligns with ethical principles and respects human dignity. In his 2020 address on AI, Pope Francis called for discernment and vigilance, stating, "AI should be at the service of humanity and not vice versa," emphasizing its potential to promote freedom and fulfillment.

Articles like "What Does the Church Teach About AI, and What Should Catholics Do About It?" highlight the Church's call for responsible use, ensuring AI does not exacerbate inequality or injustice. This supports the view that AI is permissible for Christians, provided it serves the common good.

Read Pope Francis's Address on Artificial Intelligence

Learn more about what the Church teaches about AI

The legal status of AI-generated writing is complex and evolving, particularly regarding copyright and ownership. The U.S. Copyright Office's 2023 report, "Part 2 of Report on Copyright and AI," clarifies that works generated by AI without sufficient human contribution are not copyrightable, as copyright law requires human authorship. However, if a human significantly contributes to or modifies the AI-generated content, it may be eligible for protection.

Legal guides, such as "Legal Guide to AI-Generated Scripts," note that using AI tools is generally legal, but publishers should exercise due diligence to avoid plagiarism or reader deception. For priests using AI for sermons, as long as they personalize the content, it seems legally permissible, though awareness of evolving laws is crucial.

HomilyWriterAI gives you 100% rights to use your generated homilies however you deem fit. All homilies are original and created from scratch by HomilyWriterAI, consulting a good number of high-quality sources, which you see at the end of each of your homilies.

Read the U.S. Copyright Office Report on Copyright and AI

Check the Legal Guide to AI-Generated Scripts

Pastors can leverage AI to streamline sermon preparation, thereby freeing time for pastoral care and other ministries. Practical applications include researching theological topics, generating sermon outlines, drafting initial content, translating for multilingual congregations, creating visual aids, and suggesting personal story integrations.

Exponential's article, "Pro's And Con's of Using AI for Sermon Writing: 18 Issues to Consider," notes, "AI can access and analyze vast amounts of information quickly," highlighting its efficiency. This aligns with the goal of reducing homily preparation time, allowing pastors to focus on counseling, community engagement, and other spiritual duties, enhancing their overall ministry.

Read more about Pros and Cons of Using AI for Sermon Writing

Research indicates that preaching someone else's sermon, especially if it includes personal stories not experienced by the preacher, is generally considered dishonest and unethical within Catholic practice. The homily is seen as a personal proclamation, integral to the liturgy, and should reflect the priest's or deacon's own understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM, no. 767) states, "Among the forms of preaching, the homily, which is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon, is preeminent," underscoring its personal nature. This aligns with concerns about dishonesty in claiming others' personal stories, suggesting a preference for originality.

Instead, tools like HomilyWriterAI can generate unique homilies in under a minute, allowing priests to include their own experiences, ensuring authenticity and alignment with Church expectations.

Read the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)

The Catholic Church views AI as a technology with dual potential, capable of serving humanity or posing risks, depending on its application. Church leaders, including Pope Francis, emphasize ethical use, ensuring AI promotes human well-being, peace, and fraternity.

In his 2020 address, Pope Francis stated, "AI should be at the service of humanity and not vice versa," calling for global responsibility. Articles like "Sentient AI?: Here's what the Catholic Church says about artificial intelligence" discuss the Church's focus on protecting mankind from self-destruction, advocating caution and ethical guidelines.

This view supports the integration of AI in Church activities, provided it aligns with Christian values.

Read Pope Francis's Address on Artificial Intelligence

Learn what the Catholic Church says about artificial intelligence

HomilyWriterAI works with all modern web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of your preferred browser. Our service is fully responsive and will adapt to screen sizes from desktop to mobile devices.

Yes, we take data security very seriously. All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols. We store your homilies and account information securely, and we never share your personal data with third parties without your explicit consent. For more details, please review our Privacy Policy.

To reset your password:

1. Go to the login page and click "Forgot Password?"

2. Enter the email address associated with your account

3. Check your email for a password reset link (check spam/junk folders if not in inbox)

4. Click the link and follow the instructions to create a new password

If you continue to experience issues, please contact support@homilywriterai.com for assistance.

We offer multiple support channels:

1. Email: Contact support@homilywriterai.com for direct assistance

2. Help Center: Browse our knowledge base at help.homilywriterai.com

3. Contact Form: Use the form on our Contact page to submit inquiries

4. Live Chat: Available during business hours on our website

Our support team is available Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm Eastern Time. Premium users receive priority support with faster response times.