It is perhaps easier to think of ecclesial communion in the abstract, as a concept to which I give my assent but one which has little concrete impact on my life. For those recently entering the Catholic Church, particularly when the lack of papal primacy and the Magisterium are experienced as an ecclesial deficit motivating ...read more

CNS photo: Arturo Mari ...read more

This video came to our attention this past week. It was produced by the Women’s Commission of the Archdiocese of Bombay to raise awareness about the increase in violence against women in India. It seems violence against women has always been an issue in the country but has increased recently. Our friends at Catholic News ...read more

In the spirit of the Superbowl celebrations today, we thought we’d share this fun photo from the Catholic News Service photo archives. Franciscan Sister Sean Marie Tobin is all smiles as she joins Green Bay Packers’ players on the turf at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., January 12, 2008 for the coin toss. Sister ...read more

Sebastian prepares to interview Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. Look for the interview to be featured in an upcoming S+L documentary about the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. Cardinal Wuerl served as Relator General during the 2012 Synod.   ...read more

With this week’s edition of Vatican Connections we’re already looking ahead to Easter and Holy week. The Vatican announced who will write the meditations for the Via Crucis that will take place at Rome’s coliseum, and released the pope’s liturgical itinerary for the next two months. As well, six men who were made Cardinals recently ...read more

If you’ve visited Jerusalem, you never forget your first glimpse of the Western Wall. (Even if you haven’t, you can virtually travel there via Google street view.) The holy site is bustling with noise and activity, quite unlike the hushed reverence one might expect. Bowing fervently as they chant their prayers, pious Jews are dwarfed ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For February 2013, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Migrant Families. That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. Peace. That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in ...read more

If a television producer predicts that the viewership of his new series will eclipse “Survivor”, “Celebrity Apprentice”, and “The Voice”, some skepticism is warranted. The statement becomes even bolder when the subject of this series is religious. Yet when the producer’s name is Mark Burnett, grand expectations are warranted. Burnett and his wife Roma Downey ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives: Israeli and the Vatican officials met in Jerusalem and we take a look at today’s General Audience. ...read more