Two months before his death in 1979, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen met Pope John Paul II in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The two embraced, and the now Blessed John Paul II said to the legendary Catholic writer and broadcaster: “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a loyal ...read more

Nobody in Spain is up at 8:30am on a Saturday morning. Nobody. Except this Saturday. A handful of volunteers from World Youth Day were up and moving at 8:30am. The lure was a very rare visit to La Aguilera and a unique religious community for women based there called Iesu Communio. They don’t like to appear ...read more

While Pope Benedict frequently invites Catholics to pray for particular causes, he has made a unique, official appeal for the Church in China. Speaking at the General Audience last Wednesday, he said that “all Catholics throughout the world have a duty to pray for the Church in China: those members of the faithful have a ...read more

The phrase “the calling of the twelve” took a whole new meaning this past weekend when Pope Benedict XVI connected with 12 astronauts on the International Space Station. Catholic News Service takes a look at the conversation. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

A Filet-o-Fish billboard? I couldn’t help but notice that this Lent there was a bit of a ad blitz for McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish sandwich. Coincidence? Or a marketing strategy aimed at Christians who may be turning to their aquatic friends during the penitential season. It’s interesting to note that the sandwich was first introduced for Lent ...read more

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” These words from this Sunday’s gospel are perhaps among the most consoling ones found ...read more

Credit card bill due on Monday? No problem, the world’s going to end on Saturday! At least that’s according to some people. In this week’s Catholic News Service Vatican Report, Rome correspondent Carol Glatz and Rome Bureau Chief John Thavis look at what the Church has to say about the end of the world. To ...read more

If you’ve been paying close attention to the subjects of the past three episodes of Panes of Glory, you would have noticed that we haven’t touched on any windows of women.  Are they in hiding?  Are they not important? For this last episode in the series, be prepared to meet some of the most powerful ...read more

A major study has been released today examining the causes and context of clergy sexual abuse in the United States. The study, begun in 2006, was conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York and initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. USCCB president Archbishop Timoty ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI is calling on the faithful to pray for China. Speaking at today’s General Audience, the Holy Father says because of restrictions and pressures on the Church by China’s communist government “Christ is living his passion” there. He says that Chinese Catholics want unity with the universal Church, and with the Successor of ...read more