Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For May 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: The Family. That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society. Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For April 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Vocations. That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life. Christ, Hope for Africans. That the risen Christ may be ...read more

On the first night of the 2012 Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network Conference, a multitude of youth ministers, lay pastoral associates, archdiocesan youth directors, and university chaplains gathered in St. Patrick’s Basilica in downtown Ottawa.  This conference, that happens every two years, was held at the Ottawa Marriott hotel. Nearly 300 people gathered together to ...read more

Recently, we met with several priests from the Archdiocese of Toronto and asked them what they loved about being priests. The answers were varied and inspiring. For me, the most moving was Fr. Peter Marr who said, “I love that I can bring more love, more healing into the world, which is so broken, and ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI.  For March 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Contribution of Women. That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society. Persecuted Christians. That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who ...read more

I have many fond memories of the years I spent studying with the Benedictines in Collegeville, Minnesota. That Abbey-University combination is quite unique, and it fosters a really vibrant academic (and especially theological) atmosphere. Such a place tends to draw influential people to it, and so on more than one occasion – and often to ...read more

A prayer vigil was held at Rome’s St. Ignatius Church on Dec. 7 to show contrition for clerical sexual abuse. The service was led by Canada’s Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who currently serves as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. Below is the full text of his homily. My venerable brother bishops and priests and ...read more

January 24th was the feast day of St. Francis de Sales – patron of journalists and communicators – and the occasion Pope Benedict chose to announce the Church’s message for World Communications Day 2012.  The message is an interesting one, highlighting the importance of silence as a crucial variable in effective and meaningful communication.  “In ...read more