BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Earlier today in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Shrine of the “Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre”. At the shrine he made the following address. Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have come as a pilgrim to the house of the blessed statue of Our Lady of Charity, la Mambisa as you ...read more
14 years after Bl. John Paul II’s trip to Cuba, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated mass tonight on Cuban soil to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of the discovery of the image of the “Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre”. Below find a clip of the Holy Father’s homily. Please find the full text of his ...read more
On a recent episode of Catholic Focus, we tackled the issue of prostitution and the ongoing legal challenge to Ontario’s laws related to the sex trade. Today, a Court of Appeal reaffirmed parts of Justice Susan Himel’s controversial 2010 ruling that struck down three of those laws. In summary, the court agreed with Justice Himel ...read more
The Holy Father’s address given today at Antonio Maceo International Airport, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Below find the full text of Pope Benedict’s arrival address. Thank you, Mr President, for your welcome and your kind words, with which you also conveyed the sentiments of respect of the Cuban government and people for the Successor of ...read more
Today the Holy Father said farewell to Mexico at the International Airport of Guanajuato, Leon, Mexico. Thousands gathered to say goodbye to their beloved Pope. Below find the full text of his farewell address. My brief but intense visit to Mexico is now coming to an end. Yet this is not the end of my ...read more
The most fundamental question about human existence is where do we come from? Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has supplied a scientific explanation for nearly two centuries. The Catholic Church, while always maintaining belief in a creator, has accepted evolution as “”more than a theory”” but not as a wholesale explanation for the mystery of ...read more
Memorable quotes from Day 3 of Pope Benedict’s Apostolic voyage to Mexico. “Certainly your dioceses face a number of challenges and difficulties at the present moment. Yet, in the sure knowledge that the Lord is risen, we are able to move forward confidently, in the conviction that evil does not have the last word in ...read more
This evening Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Vespers with the Bishops of Mexico and Latin America in the Cathedral of Our Most Holy Mother of Light, Leon, Mexico. Below, find the full text of his address. It gives me great joy to be able to pray with all of you in this Basilica-Cathedral of León, dedicated ...read more
Below please find the full text of the Pope Benedict’s Angelus address given to more than 600 000 Mexican faithful gathered at the Parque del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Park), at the foot of Cerro del Cubilete (Beaker Hill). Dear Brothers and Sisters, In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the grain of wheat that falls to the ...read more
Today Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for more than 600 000 Mexican faithful gathered at the Parque del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Park), at the foot of Cerro del Cubilete (Beaker Hill). Resting atop Cerro del Cubilete (Beaker Hill) is a statue of Cristo Rey (Christ the King), a tribute to the martyrs of the Cristero War. Below is a clip of ...read more