Homily of Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta at the Opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013 Dear young people! Distinguished authorities, ecclesiastical, civil, and military! Beloved People of God! We are starting World Youth Day Rio 2013! You are all welcome! This wonderful city has ...read more

Pope Francis arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the 28th World Youth Day on Monday, July 22nd. He addressed government officials, dignitaries and the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff with these words: Madam President, Distinguished Authorities, Brethren and Friends! In his loving providence, God wished that the first international trip of my pontificate should take ...read more

Salt and Light Photo: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil By Sebastian Gomes World Youth Day Rio is about to begin and everyone is wondering what Pope Francis is going to say and do on his first trip back to South America.  Well, last week I may have uncovered a major clue. A ...read more

As a Technical Producer for Salt and Light in his second WYD, my experience of Rio started months ago with the search for solutions to all the details of a live broadcast. Since our arrival my mind has been busy with possible outcomes to our work, it has been easy to fill my senses with ...read more

Download World Youth Day’s Liturgy Book for Rio 2013. The book includes the Official WYD Prayer, the message of His Holiness Benedict XVI, message from Archbishop Orani João Tempesta, the WYD 2013 Hymn, the Liturgy of the Hours, Patron Saints of the Day, a guide to Confessions, the Order of the mass for all the major events, the ...read more

Courtesy of ZENIT, a 360 interactive image is available of “Campus Fidei” (“Field of Faith”), the site of next weekend’s WYD Rio Prayer Vigil and Closing Mass. Check it out for yourself: Launch interactive image! ...read more

On the morning of February 11th I awoke to the news that Pope Benedict XVI had resigned. I remember a close friend and I discussing a vital revelation: we would have a new Pope for Rio 2013! Amazing to think that the new Pope would hail from the “end of the earth” and that millions ...read more

A reflection on Saint Benedict: Seeker of God in the Ordinary Things. ...read more

"Preferring Nothing to the Love of Christ" On the feast of Saint Benedict - July 11 ...read more

In solidarity with those affected by the recent tragedies in Calgary and Lac-Mégantic, today the Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following message. Click here to read the full text of his letter. ...read more