Last year I wrote and produced the documentary film A Hand of Peace: Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust. While it was a privilege to be able to present the historical truth about Pius’ many efforts to save Jews from Nazi aggression I also regretted the many other accomplishments of his papacy that were left ...read more

It was very much a Marian weekend for Pope Benedict XVI. On Saturday, he celebrated Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption at St Thomas of Villanova, a Church that is across the square from the Papal Summer residence Castel Gandolfo. In his homily, the Holy Father said: The Assumption reminds us that Mary’s life, ...read more

The following article about Changing Course: A Catholic project for city schools appeared in the summer/fall edition of Salt + Light’s Lampstand newsletter. The DVD can now be pre-ordered for delivery beginning August 24th. Click here to learn more and view the trailer! “The students took off as soon as we got there,” squawked a ...read more

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the oldest Marian Feast, returns every year in the heart of summer. It is an opportunity to rise with Mary to the heights of the spirit where one breathes the pure air of supernatural life and contemplates the most authentic beauty, the beauty of holiness. ...read more

In a recent interview with Catholic News Agency, the new Archbishop of New York, the Most Reverend Timothy Dolan spoke about the challenges facing the Church in the United States. These challenges could be just as applicable to Canada as well. I found of particular interest his comment that the real vocations crisis is not ...read more

Liturgically, this has been a week of martyrs. Sunday was the feast of St. Benedicta of the Cross, or Edith Stein, Monday was St. Lawrence, today is St. Pope Pontian and companions, and tomorrow the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe. These martyrs were the focus of Pope Benedict XVI’s Sunday Angelus address — you can ...read more

A lot of you may have seen this on YouTube already, because it’s gotten quite popular. It’s called JK Wedding Entrance Dance. The wedding is in a church at St. Paul, Minnesota, and the whole wedding party dances to Chris Brown’s song “Forever” as they walk down the aisle towards the altar. This has gotten ...read more

There is a wonderful story from the life of St. Clare of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate today. I’ll grab it from New Advent’s Catholic Encyclopedia entry on St. Clare: When, in 1234, the army of Frederick II was devastating the valley of Spoleto, the soldiers, preparatory to an assault upon Assisi, scaled the walls ...read more

As many of our readers know, after the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, a Marian Congress focusing on Our Lady of Guadalupe was held late last week and into the weekend. Through a variety of speakers, the Congress examined the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe from a scientific perspective, while also discussing her message, ...read more

Among the key patron saints of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Blessed Mary MacKillop stands out as being the only native-born Australian. During her beatification in 1995, Pope John Paul II said that Mary MacKillop embodies the best of Australia and its people: “genuine openness to others, hospitality to strangers, generosity to the needy, ...read more