BLOG: Apostolic Journeys,Pope Francis,Reflections,World Youth Day
This evening the Holy Father greeted the Children gathered in Peace Square, Guanajuato. In an ecstatic atmosphere, the Holy Father’s speech was interrupted several times with loud cheers! ...read more
Memorable quotes from Day 2 of Pope Benedict’s Apostolic voyage to Mexico. “The disciple of Jesus does not respond to evil with evil, but is always an instrument of good instead, a herald of pardon, a bearer of happiness, a servant of unity.” “He [Jesus] wishes to write in each of your lives a story ...read more
This evening the Holy Father greeted children gathered in Peace Square, Guanajuato. In an atmosphere of festive and joyful song, the Holy Father spoke with the young children gathered, encouraging them to draw near to the Lord. He spoke of the true nature of discipleship saying, “He [Jesus] wishes to write in each of your ...read more
3 memorable quotes from Day 1 of Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Apostolic Voyage to Mexico. “The church is not a political power, it’s not a party, but a moral reality, a moral force” “Together with faith and hope, the believer in Christ – indeed the whole Church – lives and practises charity as an essential element ...read more
Upon Pope Benedict’s arrival at the International Airport of Guanajuato, Mexico the region has reason to celebrate. Although Blessed Pope John Paul II visited Mexico five times, he never went to Guanajuato – known as the most Catholic state of Mexico. In his opening address the Holy Father warmly greets the Mexican faithful as a ...read more
At first impact the phrase “the Cuban Church” sounds like an oxymoron, or a misnomer and thoughts of an underground catholic presence might spring to mind. That might have been true at some point. However, Pope Benedict XVI’s planned visit to the Island nation later this month shows that is not the case today, and ...read more
Recently, we met with several priests from the Archdiocese of Toronto and asked them what they loved about being priests. The answers were varied and inspiring. For me, the most moving was Fr. Peter Marr who said, “I love that I can bring more love, more healing into the world, which is so broken, and ...read more
I have many fond memories of the years I spent studying with the Benedictines in Collegeville, Minnesota. That Abbey-University combination is quite unique, and it fosters a really vibrant academic (and especially theological) atmosphere. Such a place tends to draw influential people to it, and so on more than one occasion – and often to ...read more
A prayer vigil was held at Rome’s St. Ignatius Church on Dec. 7 to show contrition for clerical sexual abuse. The service was led by Canada’s Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who currently serves as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. Below is the full text of his homily. My venerable brother bishops and priests and ...read more
January 24th was the feast day of St. Francis de Sales – patron of journalists and communicators – and the occasion Pope Benedict chose to announce the Church’s message for World Communications Day 2012.  The message is an interesting one, highlighting the importance of silence as a crucial variable in effective and meaningful communication.  “In ...read more