BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Usually, when we hear about people searching for Church, it refers to people who are “un-churched.” In other words, that they have not found the Church, God, salvation, etc. But what if they have? At least, what if they believe in God, go to Church and even love The Church – yet are still searching ...read more
Tonight, Tuesday March 13 at 7pm ET, Mary Rose Bacani and I host a Catholic Focus episode on gender and identity. We interview Pia de Solenni, a leading female theologian and winner of the 2001 Pontifical Academy Prize for her doctoral dissertation analyzing feminism in light of St. Thomas Aquinas. To the question “Can feminism ...read more
Many Salt+Light viewers are familiar with our on-air personalities, but behind the camera there is a host of hard working and creative individuals that make S+L tick. One of those individuals is Marc Boudignon. His face may not be familiar, but he is one of S+L’s dedicated and talented editors — bringing you our book ...read more
“Pray for my conversion.” I remember coming across these words when reading about Brother Andre Bessette, the pious porter who was known as the miracle maker of Mount Royal, in Quebec. It struck me as an odd statement. Brother Andre, proclaimed blessed in May 1982, was a very holy man. How could a living saint ...read more
It’s that time of year again! Or at least it’s a little earlier than what would normally be that time of year. It’s time for most of us in Canada to spring forward! (I say most as my colleague Gillian, a native of Saskatchewan, reminded me that parts of B-C and most of her province ...read more
When I ran out my front door the other day and began my sprint for the streetcar (the way I usually begin my morning commute) I couldn’t help but notice that it was snowing. “More snow,” I thought, “Does it ever end?” I am sick of the white stuff, wearied of the cold, irritated by ...read more
Today in the liturgical calendar the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Felicity and Perpetua. These two women were martyred at Carthage, in Northern Africa in 203. Their names may sound familiar as they’re mentioned in the Roman Canon at Mass. (“For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and ...read more
“Je me souviens,” the license plates read. Do you really? The question applies to both Quebecers and those living outside la belle province: Just what is your knowledge of the Quebec Church and its religious history? Most people will tell you one of two contradictory narratives. The first is that Quebec remains an uncompromisingly Catholic ...read more
Today has been another busy day of touring and walking and looking and thinking in the Holy Land. Our destination was Bethlehem – we were driven to the check point by our tour guide to meet with representatives of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, who then drove us from the security point into the ...read more
It has been another beautiful day here in the Holy Land. Today began early – our tour guide, Rivka (who is an extensive textbook of all historical matters) said a sunrise over the Sea of Galilee is not to be missed. What luck – my hotel room faces east. And so I awoke at 5:30 ...read more