Last week we saw that the reason why we need mercy is because we are sinners. St. Paul tells the Ephesians, “we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead ...read more

So far we’ve looked at two things that must be present for mercy to take place, we’ve seen the direct relationship between mercy and love and forgiveness. We’ve also looked at why we are being invited to “walk through the door” of mercy this year. This week and next, as we celebrate Christmas and the beginning ...read more

Recently, as we prepare for Christmas, I read a reflection that said that we are living times of mercy. It said that we are living the promise that God made to Abraham – this was God’s proposal to our human condition: To give us his mercy. And as a response to God’s promise, Mary said ...read more

Last week, I explained how asking a simple question like how we should care for the environment led us to ask many more other questions, from looking through the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, to discovering that our desire to learn about created things begins with a sense of wonder. Sr. Damien Marie ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on his last day in Africa, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Barthélémy Boganda Stadium, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Bangui, Barthélémy Boganda Stadium 30 November 2015 We might be astonished, listening to this morning’s first reading, ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on the final day of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa, Pope Francis met with the Muslim Community in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Address of Pope Francis Meeting with the Muslim Community Bangui, Central Mosque November 30, 2015 Dear ...read more

Here is a ZENIT transcription and translation of the address Pope Francis gave this evening in Bangui, Central African Republic, at a prayer vigil outside of the cathedral. The Pope had just completed a ceremony to open the Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy and celebrated Mass. Pope Francis’ Unscripted Address at Prayer Vigil ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated Mass with priests, consecrated persons and lay leaders in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared homily: Homily of Pope Francis Mass with Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Leaders Bangui, Cathedral 29 November 2015 On this first Sunday of Advent, ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis met with various Evangelical Communities at the Faculty of Evangelical Theology in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with Evangelical Communities Bangui, Faculty of Evangelical Theology November 29, 2015 Dear Brothers and ...read more

Below is a ZENIT translation of Pope Francis’ off-the-cuff words at the St. Sauveur Refugee Camp in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui: I greet all of you here. I tell you that I read what the children had written [on signs], “peace”, “forgiveness”, “unity” and so many things … “love”. We must work and pray and ...read more