It was 19 March 2013. Pope Francis had been elected just a few days before. He preached on Saint Joseph, the “protector” of Mary and Jesus[1], as a model of discretion, humility, silence, abiding presence and complete fidelity. The present Way of the Cross will make constant reference to the gift of our being “protected” ...read more

I set out to deacon-struct Holy Week and soon found that I was faced with a monumental task. I looked at each of the key moments of the Passion: the entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial, the way of the Cross and crucifixion… the burial… there is so much there. I have ...read more

A reflection by Deacon Pedro on the meaning of Lent, in order to help us understand fasting and abstinence, and about what we can do and can’t do. ...read more

“JUDAS WAS STANDING WITH THEM” (JN 18:5) Following the tradition, the homily for this afternoon’s Good Friday Service for the Passion of the Lord is preached by Capuchin Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa. In the divine-human history of the passion of Jesus, there are many minor stories about men and women who entered into the ray of ...read more

After presiding over the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis now heads to Rome’s Colosseum to pray the traditional Way of the Cross. This year, the meditations for the Stations of the Cross were prepared by Lebanese young people, at the request of Benedict XVI. Before his resignation, the Pope ...read more

In a solemn liturgy that began with Pope Francis prostrating himself before the Cross, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion was held today in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Following tradition, the Good Friday homily was given by the Preacher to the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap. The Capuchin father’s message is titled, ...read more

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23)  Watch the Way of the Cross LIVE here, and follow the stations below. WAY OF THE CROSS AT THE COLOSSEUM Led by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Introduction and Opening Prayer FIRST STATION: ...read more

Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, delivered the homily during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His message incorporated some of the great intellectual and spiritual figures in the history of the Church, and urged the faithful to repentance with the sure knowledge that abounding mercy and forgiveness ...read more

The Colosseum – an enduring symbol of the Roman Empire, and a memorial to the Christian martyrs of old. During the frequent imperial persecutions of the first three centuries Christians were led onto these very grounds and burned or fed to wild beasts. One of the Church’s first bishops, St. Ignatius of Antioch, was martyred ...read more

During his visit to Cuba last week Pope Benedict XVI met with Cuban President Raul Castro. During that visit the Holy Father made one request: that Good Friday be considered a public holiday in that country. A communique from Cuba’s state-run news service Granma published on Saturday, said Raul Castro had informed Pope Benedict his request ...read more