One of the highlights for me covering the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey to the Czech Republic was his visit to the Our Lady of Victory Church, and veneration of the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. The Infant has a special place not only in my life, but in the life of my family. ...read more

The second day of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic was highlighted by an open air Mass in Brno, the largest city in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. The Holy Father traveled from Prague via plane — a short trip, some 200kms — to celebrate Mass that was held at ...read more

Day one of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic has come to an end. The day began at Stará Ruzyn, the largest airport in the Czech Republic, 10kms outside of Prague’s city centre. The Holy Father was greeted by Czech President Václav Klaus and his wife Livia, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, as well ...read more

What are we to expect from Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic that begins on Saturday? One theme of discussion that has come up in the last few weeks is secularization. Just over 31% of the Czech population identify themselves as Catholic, according to statistics released by the Vatican this week. The ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI’s Wednesday General Audience looked at the Eastern monk Symeon the New Theologian. One point I found interesting, particularly in this Year of the Priest, was the Holy Father’s comments on spiritual direction. Symeon had a spiritual father who helped him greatly as a young man, and our Pontiff invited the faithful to ...read more

In the past two seasons of Lectio Divina with Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto’s chief shepherd has meditated on the Sermon on the Mount and the writings of St. Paul. The third season premiers this weekend, with the Archbishop reflecting on the Parables of Jesus. The Sower, the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan are among ...read more

A woman religious from Israel will be among five new beatifications occurring this fall. The announcement of the five new blesseds came last week from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. The four other Blesseds include a Spanish Cardinal, a Hungarian Martyr, an Italian diocesan priest and a German religious. Here are ...read more

Obtenir le lecteur Flash pour voir cette vidéo. On Thursday, Salt + Light was visited by the daughter and son-in-law of a saint. Laura Molla and Giuseppe Pannuti were visiting from Milan for the dedication of a new St. Gianna Maternity Home located in Brampton, Ontario. On Friday they traveled to Washington, D.C. for a ...read more

As we celebrate the feat of St. Augustine this Friday, I couldn’t help but thinking one of his most famous quotes: “Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.” (I believe the context of the quote was Augustine’s ongoing conversion and the difficulty he had in dismissing his mistress) Chastity is a bit of a ...read more

It was very much a Marian weekend for Pope Benedict XVI. On Saturday, he celebrated Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption at St Thomas of Villanova, a Church that is across the square from the Papal Summer residence Castel Gandolfo. In his homily, the Holy Father said: The Assumption reminds us that Mary’s life, ...read more