BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Seventy-year-old Fr. Michael Prieur is a professor of Moral and Sacramental Theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario; he is also a bioethics specialist and an author of numerous books.  But there is one topic that has intrigued him so much that he wrote a book about it and shared it with us at ...read more
Do you love the pull of a good mystery, the intrigue of a “who dunnit?” Well, before you pick up that mystery novel, consider for a moment the mysteries that are right in front of us – the mysteries of the Catholic Church and, in particular, the central mystery of the Holy Trinity. Now, there ...read more
Violence in the Middle East, Libya, the Ivory Coast. Destruction in Japan. Persecution of Christians. Amidst all the turmoil it seems hard to find the joy of Easter. But in his Urbi et Orbi message, Pope Benedict XVI says it is for these “painful situations” that Christ died for us. In heaven all is peace ...read more
Christ is Risen, alleluia! Truly, He is Risen, alleluia! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ...read more
In an Easter Vigil liturgy that included six readings, Pope Benedict chose to focus on the first one. In explaining the selection of the reading from the first chapter of Genesis, the Pope asks, “Is it really important to speak also of creation during the Easter Vigil? Could we not begin with the events in ...read more
Pope Benedict presided over the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum today. The meditations this year were written by an Augustian nun, Sister Maria Rita Piccione, OSA. She’s the President of the Our Lady of Good Counsel Federation of Augustinian Monasteries in Italy. In the meditation on the fourth station, Jesus meets his Mother, ...read more
Ecce lignum crucis, in quo salus mundi pependit. Venite, adoremus. Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world. Come, let us worship. Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., quoted that familiar refrain as he concluded his homily at the Good Friday liturgy. The Papal household preacher delivered the homily, as ...read more
During the Last Supper, Jesus pleaded four times for unity. Pope Benedict says that plea remains his constant prayer to the Father on our behalf. Unity, conversion and humility were themes from the Holy Father’s homily celebrated today at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. “How deeply it must have concerned him!” said the Holy ...read more
While many dioceses in Canada celebrate their Chrism Mass at the beginning of Holy Week, in Rome the Mass which has the blessing of the holy oils is held the morning of Holy Thursday. During this morning’s Mass, the Holy Father offered a reflection on the significance of the three oils: “the oil for anointing ...read more
The Easter Triduum offers the most beautiful liturgies of the year. Salt + Light is connecting viewers with Rome and the Holy Father through live broadcasts of the Triduum liturgies. On Holy Thursday, April 21st at 11:30am ET/8:30am PT, Pope Benedict XVI will commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper as he celebrates Holy Mass from the Basilica ...read more