I vaguely remember my mother telling us, during the Season of Advent, while growing up, about the “O” antiphons. I never really understood what these were. Even as an adult, she would occasionally send me various reflections on the “O” antiphons. I must say, with regret that while I thought it to be an important ...read more

This week we look at why TIME named Pope Francis “Person of the Year”, we get the details on the story of one Franciscan community currently undergoing an Apostolic Visitation, and we speak to a representative from Development and Peace, the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis about the Pope-promoted campaign to end hunger: “One Human ...read more

The Italian newspaper La Stampa has published an exclusive interview with Pope Francis where he speaks about Christmas, hunger in the world, the suffering of children, the reform of the Roman Curia, women cardinals, the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), and his upcoming apostolic visit to the Holy Land.   By: ANDREA TORNIELLI (VATICAN INSIDER) ...read more

There are few Toronto Catholics (especially those who frequent the downtown core) who aren’t well-acquainted with St. Michael’s Choir School. They’re a regular feature at St. Michael’s Cathedral. It’s a rare treat though to interview them, and I was glad to have an opportunity to speak with the Choir’s talented conductors and singers on the ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives:– Pope Francis is the Time Person Of the year– And we take a look at today’s general audience   ...read more

At the end of his weekly General Audience on December 11, Pope Francis had this message for the faithful of the American continent. Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking ...read more

Declaration by Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., regarding the nomination of Pope Francis as “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine This fact is unsurprising, considering the resonance and very widespread attention given to the election of Pope Francis and the beginning of his pontificate. It is a positive sign that one of the most prestigious ...read more

After leading the crowds in Saint Peter’s Square in praying the Angelus, the Pope expressed spiritual closeness to the Church in North America, which is celebrating the 350th anniversary of its first parish: Notre-Dame de Québec. The full translation of his words about the Quebec celebrations are as as follows: “We unite ourselves spiritually to ...read more

  By Clayton Imoo Advent is about waiting.  Anticipating.  Expecting.  Preparing.  Hoping.  This sounds a lot like youth ministry to me. We wait for youth to commit their lives to Jesus.  We wait for them so we can start our youth gatherings.  We wait for their parents to come pick them up at the end ...read more

Below find the telegramme of condolences that Pope Francis sent to the South African President, Jacob Zuma: It was with sadness that I learned of the death of former President Nelson Mandela, and I send prayerful condolences to all the Mandela family, to the members of the Government and to all the people of South ...read more