BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
It was April 8, 2016 when the post-synodal exhortation by Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia was first released at the Vatican. ...read more
During the Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father gave an unscripted homily. The Pope’s Easter message “Urbi et Orbi” is given to the world at the end of mass, from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica. Here is the English language translation of the “Urbi et Orbi” message: Dear Brothers ...read more
I wonder why in English we don’t refer to Easter as “Passover”. I suspect that for the first Christians, “Passover” is what it was all about. ...read more
  In March 2016, the Salt + Light team went to the Holy Land on pilgrimage to bring you reflections from the biblical places where Jesus lived. You can watch the entire videos from the Holy Land Trip here. The following text below is from my reflection about the empty tomb of Christ, that was ...read more
At 8:30 pm on Holy Saturday evening, Pope Francis presided in the Vatican Basilica at the Solemn Easter Vigil in this holy night. The ritual began in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica with the blessing of fire and preparation of the paschal candle. The procession to the main altar with the lighted Paschal candle and ...read more
On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the ecumenical movement seems to have entered a "Holy Week," where the churches can look back at all that's been accomplished, and know, deep down, that the looming hill of Calvary has yet to be climbed. ...read more
Good Friday – Passion of the Lord Way of the Cross, Led by His Holiness Pope Francis Meditations by Anne-Marie Pelletier Introduction The hour has now come. Jesus’ journey along the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, an endless encounter with afflicted bodies and hearts, a journey driven by his urgent need to proclaim the ...read more
In this video, Fr. Rob Galea talks about the Sacrament of The Anointing of the Sick. This is part of an eight-part series on the Sacraments. Follow Fr. Rob Galea! http://www.FrRobGalea.com Social Media: @FrRobGalea ...read more
On Good Friday at 5:00 p.m., Rome time in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Passion according to the Gospel of John was proclaimed. This was followed by the homily delivered by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. ...read more
Here is a Zenit translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave off-the-cuff after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. ...read more