From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 18, the antiphon is based on Exodus ...read more

I vaguely remember my mother telling us, during the Season of Advent, while growing up, about the “O” antiphons. I never really understood what these were. Even as an adult, she would occasionally send me various reflections on the “O” antiphons. I must say, with regret that while I thought it to be an important ...read more

There are few Toronto Catholics (especially those who frequent the downtown core) who aren’t well-acquainted with St. Michael’s Choir School. They’re a regular feature at St. Michael’s Cathedral. It’s a rare treat though to interview them, and I was glad to have an opportunity to speak with the Choir’s talented conductors and singers on the ...read more

After leading the crowds in Saint Peter’s Square in praying the Angelus, the Pope expressed spiritual closeness to the Church in North America, which is celebrating the 350th anniversary of its first parish: Notre-Dame de Québec. The full translation of his words about the Quebec celebrations are as as follows: “We unite ourselves spiritually to ...read more

What does it mean to be a missionary? This is the question that participants are asking at the Missionary Congress of the Americas in Maracaibo, Venezuela. How would you answer this question? ...read more

Cardinal Fernando Filoni is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the congregation of the curia responsible for the transmission and dissemination of the faith throughout the whole world, in particular the coordination and guidance the Church’s diverse missionary efforts and initiatives. Some may know it by its former title, the Sacred ...read more

We all know that we must keep holy the Sabbath Day, but at the same time, in this day and age, in our society, we take for granted that businesses are open on Sunday and people work. Maybe we don’t work ourselves, but we go shopping, or in our desire for leisure time with our ...read more

The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever (13:8). This is why the mission of God, this mission for all humanity, a mission we should all be taking seriously, calls us today to discern how best to fulfill it to our people in our day. ...read more

One of the first times that I heard the phrase “the new evangelization” was in John Paul II’s Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (at the close of the Great Jubilee of 2000): Over the years, I have often repeated the summons to the new evangelization. I do so again now, especially in order to insist ...read more

In case you missed it this week, or haven’t had a chance to read the full text, here is Pope Francis’ Catechesis at this week’s General Audience, with English voice over. Once again Pope Francis asks if you know the date of your Baptism. Be prepared! The Holy Father also gives out homework as part ...read more