Andrew Santos had the chance to sit down with Laurie Friesen, Youth Director for the Ukrainian Eparchy of Saskatoon, at the 2012 Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network Conference in Ottawa, Ont. Nearly 300 Youth Ministers and Archdiocesan Youth Directors from across Canada gathered in Ottawa for this bi-annual event. ...read more

Below is Pope Benedict’s homily, as delivered at the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio during vespers in Rome. On March 10 he presided at vespers, along with Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Church. Your Grace, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Monks and Nuns of Camaldoli, Dear Brothers and Sisters, ...read more

At first impact the phrase “the Cuban Church” sounds like an oxymoron, or a misnomer and thoughts of an underground catholic presence might spring to mind. That might have been true at some point. However, Pope Benedict XVI’s planned visit to the Island nation later this month shows that is not the case today, and ...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

We are about halfway through lent already, the point at which many people begin to think “why did give up chocolate?” or “why did I decide to get up earlier to pray before I start my day?” It’s also the point when many people feel the need for more spiritual nourishment in order to get ...read more

“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a despot whose shooting and shelling of his own people cannot be defended,” wrote the Catholic Register in a recent editorial, “yet he may be the last line of defence for Syria’s Catholics.” The editorial captures the paradox of a country where, despite a UN-estimated death toll of 7500 civilians, ...read more

March 8th is International Women’s day. In Canada not many people know what this day is, or remember to say “happy women’s day” to the women in their lives. When I lived in Italy and Spain this day usually arrived accompanied by Mimosas or other flowers. The Vatican news portal news.va published this reflection on ...read more

When we look at a conflict we always think of the innocent people who are suffering without any blame — the people who every day are fighting to survive, people who are persecuted just for being Christians. It is very difficult to watch TV and see my brothers in faith suffering just because they believe ...read more

The following post was contributed by Fr. James Mallon, founder and director of the John Paul II Media Institute. Fr. James hosts the new series “Dogmatic Theology“, which airs on S+L on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT. The program repeats Thursdays at 1:00 pm ET and Fridays at 9:00 am ET. ...read more

If you could celebrate Easter anywhere in the world, where would you go? For many Christians like myself, the answer is obvious: the Holy Land, where Jesus experienced his passion, death, and resurrection. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is making this possible for two fortunate people. Holyland-pilgrimage.org is inviting would-be pilgrims to create a one-minute Youtube ...read more