BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
On Sunday, April 3, 2016, Pope Francis presided over Mass in celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Below you will find the full text of his address. “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (Jn 20:30). The Gospel is the book of God’s mercy, to be ...read more
At 6:00 on Saturday evening in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis presides over the Prayer Vigil with those who follow the spirituality of Divine Mercy and take part in these days of the Jubilee of Mercy celebrations. At the end of the vigil, the Pope pronounces the homily which is found below: With joy and thanksgiving ...read more
A reflection for the second Sunday in Easter, year C: Acts 5:12-16: Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31 Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe… I don’t know about you, but when I imagine this scene, I don’t think Jesus is giving Thomas a hard time. I think he’s ...read more
A child dressed as an angel walks alongside other women during an Easter Sunday procession in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais March 31,2013. (CNS photo/Pilar Olivares, Reuters) ...read more
A video tribute to a great saint who walked among us on the 11th Anniversary of his death. ...read more
U.S. President John F. Kennedy, his wife, Jacqueline, and their children, Caroline and John Jr., are seen on Easter Sunday in 1963. (CNS photo/Reuters) ...read more
The Archdiocese of Boston announced today (April 1, 2016) that Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. is publishing a pastoral letter (God’s Mercy Runs to Meet Us) to guide the faithful during this Year of Mercy.  Officially released for the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday April 3, Cardinal Seán will distribute the first printed ...read more
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops released their response to the call to action issued by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission . Bishop Donald Bolen of Saskatoon is the head of the Canadian Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission. He answers questions about the Church’s response to the TRC’s call to action, what it means, why ...read more
Musicians take part in a parade during the Festa do Divino, or Festival of the Divine, in Sao Luiz do Paraitinga, Brazil, May 27, 2012. The Festa do Divino is one of Brazil’s most important Catholic celebrations, marking Pentecost 50 days after Easter. (CNS photo/Roosevelt Cassio, Reuters) ...read more
Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic? This week, on the third of our mini-series on Marriage and Canon Law, Deacon Pedro speaks again with Fr. Alex Laschuk of the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Toronto. They speak about all the different possibilities there are to make sure that your Marriage is Catholic and share ...read more