Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we contemplate and re-live in the liturgy the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the risen Christ upon his Church; an event of grace which filled the Upper Room in Jerusalem and then spread throughout the world. But what happened on that day, so distant from us and yet ...read more

This weekend, 120,000 members of lay movements and ecclesial associations are gathering in Rome to celebrate Pentecost and the Year of Faith. Around 150 different groups from around the world are registered for the events. Under the slogan, “I Believe! Increase our Faith”, the pilgrimage begins at the tomb of St. Peter on Saturday morning. ...read more

This past week Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna participated in the Leadership Conference at Holy Trinity Brompton, an Anglican parish in the heart of downtown London. Cardinal Schoenborn’s presentation was more of a Question and Answer session with Holy Trinity pastor Nicky Gumbel. He spoke about Christian Unity, Pope Francis, the Conclave, and was also ...read more

On Thursday May 17, 2013, Pope Francis met with the ambassadors of Kyrgystan, Antigua and Barbuda, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Botswana. Below is the full text of his address to the ambassadors, which focused on the need for ethics, especially in relation to the financial crisis. Your Excellencies, I am pleased to receive ...read more

The Early Renaissance is considered one of the most crucial and dynamic periods in Western art history. Wealthy 14th-century Florentine citizens commissioned extravagant works of art, spurring artists to explore new materials and innovate new artistic techniques. In a type of new evangelization of their era, these artists also turned to the New Testament stories ...read more

Below is the full text of a pastoral letter written by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk  to all Ukranian Greek Catholic faithful. The topic of the letter is The Vibrant Parish – A place to encounter the living Christ. On this occasion I wish to emphasize that all the members of our Church have a personal responsibility ...read more

Below is the full text of a letter from Ukranian Greek Catholic Major Archbishop, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk to the Beloved Mothers of Priests serving in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church throughout the world. Dearly Beloved Mothers,Christ is Risen!During my life as a layman, priest and bishop, I’ve come to reaIize that perhaps the most solemn ...read more

Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily during Canonization Mass for three new saints, Sunday May 12 at St. Peter’s Square. Transcription and translation courtesy of Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters! In this seventh Sunday of Easter we are gathered to celebrate with joy a feast of holiness. Thanks be to God ...read more

   Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ catechesis talk at this week’s General Audience. Transcription and translation provided by Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters, good day. The season of Easter that we are living with joy, guided by the liturgy of the Church, is par excellence the time of the Holy Spirit, ...read more

Above: Triptych with the Crucifixion, the Lamentation and the Ascension The Art Gallery of Ontario is hosting an exhibit featuring art from Renaissance Florence. Themes related to the Catholic Church and the faith are central to many works from that era. The AGO kindly shared with us an example of some of the pieces featured ...read more