Pilgrims participate in candlelight procession in the streets around Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Belem, Brazil. Brazilians have been honoring Mary with this annual procession since 1966. Mary appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, in 1917 in central Portugal. To find out more about this ...read more

In solidarity with those affected by the recent tragedies in Calgary and Lac-Mégantic, today the Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following message. Click here to read the full text of his letter. ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives: A closer look at Pope Francis’ message from Lampedusa, prominent churchmen weigh in on Lumen Fidei, and the Pope sends a letter of condolence to the people of Lac-Megantic. ...read more

Late yesterday afternoon, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops received the following message from the Apostolic Nunciature. It is a message from the Holy Father to the people of Lac-Mégantic. Upon learning of the tragic train derailment at Lac-Mégantic, with its many victims of whom a large number is still unaccounted for, His Holiness Pope ...read more

On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Tunisia, in solidarity with the many African migrants who have sought refuge there and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the attempt. The following is the homily of the Holy Father at an open air ...read more

Saint Teresa of the Andes Teresa of the Andes (or Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones Fernández y Solar) was born in Chile in 1900 to an upper class family. From early on Juanita participated daily at Holy Mass. Her constancy in the Eucharist reveals her inner thirst to meet Christ. Early in her ...read more

Tonight on perspectives:  a new encyclical illuminates the faith;  seminarians and novices meet the Pope;  and two soon-to-be saints to celebrate.  Check it out! ...read more

The following is a Salt and Light interview with Nadia Gundert (above), Director of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario.  On Saturday, July 27, 2013, the Archdiocese will host their first-ever “WYD at Home,” to allow young people here in Eastern Ontario to engage in the experience and excitement of WYD Rio. 1. ...read more

What are we to make of this latest encyclical written by the four hands of Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?  Remember that encyclicals make up a very significant part of the magisterial teaching of the Church.  Not only are they written and promulgated by the pope, but they focus on and are particularly ...read more

A pilgrim prays during Mass at Our Lord of the Good End church in Salvador, Brazil. The church’s gates are covered with ribbons (seen in background), which are symbols of faith. To find out more about this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janiero, Brazil visit wydcentral.org CNS photo/Ueslei Marcelino, Reuters ...read more