Salt + Light Blog
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We Give You Thanks for Your Great Glory
Solemnity of Most Holy Trinity, Year C- May 26, 2013 The readings for this Sunday are: Prv 8:22-31, Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9, Rom 5:1-5, Jn 16:12-15 On the Sunday that follows Pentecost, we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand Jesus' words and guides us to the whole truth, believers can have a personal experience of the intimacy of God … read more
Bringing Jesus to a humanity in crisis
On Saturday, May 18, Pope Francis celebrated the vigil of the feast of Pentecost at St. Peter's Square with members of New Movements. Aside from leading a prayer service, the Holy Father also took part in a question and answer session with members of these movements. Below is a report from Vatican Radio about that session.Pope Francis puts his certainty of faith down to his grandmother, from whom … read more
Pope Francis on Pentecost Sunday: Newness, Harmony and Mission
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 so close as to touch the very depths of our hearts? Luke gives us the answer in the passage of … read more
Trail of Light: Remembering Chiara Lubich
This Pentecost weekend, we invite you to learn more about one of the Church's great lay movements: Focolare also known as the "Work of Mary". Founded by a young lay woman during wartime Italy the story of Chiara Lubich is truly extraordinary. It can be difficult to describe how the Holy Spirit is present in the life of the Church; its simply best to witness its effects. Focolare is an excellent … read more
Pennsylvania priest leads mission to help minority Christians
Since its founding in 1926, the need for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) has only grown. This papal agency, created by Pius XI to support the Eastern Catholic Churches, is helping sustain vulnerable Christian populations amidst poverty and violence. Leading this mission is Msgr. John Kozar, a priest from the diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who previously served as national … read more
Pope Francis joins lay movements for Pentecost celebrations
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. Then in the afternoon, a welcoming ceremony with … read more
Photo of the Day – Chiara Lubich and Pope John Paul II
Pictured above with Pope John Paul II is Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare movement (1982). Learn more about the fascinating lay woman who founded one of the Church's great ecclessial movements. Tune in this Saturday May 18 at 8:30 pm ET / 6:30 pm PT for the premiere of Centro S.Chiara Audiovisivi's documentary, Trail of Light: Remembering Chiara Lubich. Focolare which now operates in 182 … read more
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, unscripted
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 asked about his family. In his … read more
Pope Francis calls for global financial reform – Perspectives Daily
Tonight on Perspectives: Pope Francis welcomes new ambassadors to the Holy See and calls for global financial reform. … read more
A person is more than what they consume
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 you for the presentation of the Letters accrediting you as … read more
Birthing the Renaissance – Catholic Focus
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 of Christ's life and the lives of … read more
What did we get ourselves into?
An integral part of any successful pilgrimage is that moment of self-doubt when you ask yourself, “What have I gotten myself into?”This was a question often uttered along the route of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which I walked last fall. On the rough days, as we shuffled along the seemingly interminable path, pummeled by cold rain and hobbled by blisters, we all faced the temptation to … read more
Fr. Thomas Rosica on CNN
Fr. Thomas Rosica appeared on Amanpour Live, Tuesday May 14, to talk about the papal transition and Pope Francis. Watch the full interview in the video above. … read more
The Vibrant Parish: a place to encounter Christ
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 throughout their whole lives to acquire an ever deeper knowledge of the … read more
Perspectives Daily – May 14, 2013
Today on Perspectives, Pope Francis' daily homily, implementing the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Pastoral Plan and Pope Francis attends Italy's March for Life. … read more
The Humble, Yet Powerful Beginning of a New Age
Solemnity of Pentecost, Year C - Sunday,May 19, 2013The readings for Pentecost are Acts 2:1-11;1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Rom 8:8-17 and Jn 20:19- or Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26 We know the story well (Acts 2:1-10) -- it is the dawn of the day of Pentecost and the followers of Jesus are gathered to wait and pray. This new day begins with an explosion of sounds from heaven, and a violent wind. The story is … read more
Perspectives Daily – May 13, 2013
Tonight on Perspectives: It's May 13 and the universal Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. We also tell you about the three new saints who were canonized by Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday. … read more
To all Mothers of priests
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 and awe-inspiring moment that can be … read more
Three new Saints
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 who has made His glory – the glory of Love – to shine on the Martyrs … read more
New documentary asks: Who is Pope Francis?
Do you remember where you were when the white smoke appeared, heralding the election of Pope Francis? That will always be an easy question for me, since I was in the S+L studio doing live commentary. The third smoke signal of the conclave looked distinctly different from the first two, which were easily discernible as black. Initially, this one appeared grey — light grey — and we, along with … read more
Approved under Benedict, Francis proclaims first saints
February 11 will long be remembered as the day Pope Benedict announced his resignation – the first pontiff in 600 years to do so. But do you recall the event during which he made his stunning declaration? The Holy Father had convoked a meeting of cardinals to vote on three causes for canonization. As expected, the cardinals confirmed the blesseds, whose record of sanctity had already satisfied … read more
Vatican Connections: May 10, 2013
There were three popes in Vatican City on Friday May 10, 2013: Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Tawadros II. The latter is the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian church in the Middle East. Pope Tawadros was making his first trip outside Egypt since he was enthroned in November 2012. Friday’s visit between the Coptic leader and Pope Francis also marks … read more
Hidden Devotions: Mary Untier of Knots
The month of May is traditionally the month of Mary in the Catholic Church. To celebrate this month we’ll be bringing you a series of posts about obscure Marian devotions. The first devotion we’ll be examining is Our Lady Untier of Knots. The year is 1612, the place is Augsburg, Germany. A nobleman named Wolfgang Langenmantel goes to the University of Ingolstadt to see Jesuit Father Jakob … read more
New Salt and Light series nears completion
Salt and Light Producers Cheridan Sanders and Sebastian Gomes review the script of an episode of The Church Alive, a new series for the Year of Faith dedicated to Vatican II and the New Evangelization. The 13-part series, which is filmed at the CBC studios in downtown Toronto, will premiere this coming September. (Photo, May 7, 2013: Sam Sorich) Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI was the last … read more
General Audience: May 8, 2013
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, given to us "not by measure" (cf. John 3:34) by the crucified and risen Jesus. … read more
More posts
- Perspectives Daily – Francis meets leaders of women’s religious orders
- Lamentation, Crucifixion and Ascension: a work of art
- Perspectives Daily – May 7, 2013
- In Jesus, the Future Has Already Begun!
- S+L to stream ordination of new bishop for Hamilton
- Perspectives Daily – May 3, 2013
- How can we stop gendercide, if we can’t even discuss it?
- Our Chinese Programming: Sign of a New Pentecost
- Why we march for life in Washington, Ottawa and many other cities…
- Meet the leader of Ukrainian-rite Catholics
- Vatican Connections: May 3, 2013
- Photo of the Day: Praying in the Mater Ecclesia Chapel
- Pope to pray rosary upon return to Marian basilica
- Momentous transitions and awesome joy
- Perspectives Daily – May 2, 2013
- Photo of the Day: Pope Francis greets Pope Benedict
- Does the World Need Ideals?
- Perspectives Daily – May 1, 2013
- Papal General Audience: Wednesday, May 1
- Council of Jerusalem, the Advocate, and Pastoral Strategy