BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Pope Francis today released his 2017 Lenten Message for World Youth Day, in anticipation for World Youth Day Panama 2019. Below, find the full text of his address: ...read more
Sometimes, because it’s Lent we may overlook some feasts or solemnities that fall during the season. It’s hard to ignore the Feast of St. Patrick, but how many really pay attention to the Solemnity of St. Joseph? ...read more
Last Monday, Pope Francis celebrated four years since his election as pontiff. During this week, the Holy Father received many messages and witnesses for this anniversary, words of profound admiration and encouragement to continue on this path, his ministry. Speaking to Vatican Radio, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said: “I believe that Amoris Laetitia has ...read more
If I were to sum up all the little fragments that I collected to form the image of Pope Francis in my mind, all that resonates with me, it could be summed up in this one sentence: “Your life is a prayer.” ...read more
A reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent We all have some part of us that we wish was different. Something in ourselves that we wish was otherwise. Often this part of us can be a source of shame, of fear, of regret, of embarrassment. It is something we wish would just go away, that ...read more
Deacon Pedro and Richard Valenti spent a little time sharing with Richard's children about Pope Francis and his anniversary. This poem came out of that conversation. ...read more
(CNS photo above: Pope Francis updates the Roman Curia on his reform agenda during their Christmas audience in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 22, 2016) Catch an all new Perspectives on Church Reform under Francis Friday, March 17th at 7pmET & 11pmET No matter where you’re from or how you interpret the first four ...read more
Inevitably and unjustly, people tend to compare popes as they were set to fit in a certain mold. Well, there is actually a model, and I think we are all short of meeting the minimum requirements; the model is Christ, so, who we are to judge? I say this because I see no reason to ...read more
In Rome yesterday, the Pope, prayed the Angelus with pilgrims and tourists that gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the Second Sunday of Lent. The Holy Father reflected on the Gospel of St. Matthew, and recounted the Transfiguration of Our Lord. “In this Lenten season,” he said, “let us contemplate devoutly the image of the ...read more
Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., in his capacity as President of the CCCB, has written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concerning the recent decision by the Government of Canada to provide $650 million toward “sexual and reproductive health and rights”. ...read more