On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Tunisia, in solidarity with the many African migrants who have sought refuge there and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the attempt. The following is the homily of the Holy Father at an open air ...read more

Saint Teresa of the Andes Teresa of the Andes (or Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones Fernández y Solar) was born in Chile in 1900 to an upper class family. From early on Juanita participated daily at Holy Mass. Her constancy in the Eucharist reveals her inner thirst to meet Christ. Early in her ...read more

The following is a Salt and Light interview with Nadia Gundert (above), Director of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario.  On Saturday, July 27, 2013, the Archdiocese will host their first-ever “WYD at Home,” to allow young people here in Eastern Ontario to engage in the experience and excitement of WYD Rio. 1. ...read more

What are we to make of this latest encyclical written by the four hands of Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?  Remember that encyclicals make up a very significant part of the magisterial teaching of the Church.  Not only are they written and promulgated by the pope, but they focus on and are particularly ...read more

A pilgrim prays during Mass at Our Lord of the Good End church in Salvador, Brazil. The church’s gates are covered with ribbons (seen in background), which are symbols of faith. To find out more about this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janiero, Brazil visit wydcentral.org CNS photo/Ueslei Marcelino, Reuters ...read more

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting you, and today our joy is even greater, because we have gathered for the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day. You are seminarians, novices, young people on a vocational journey, from every part of the world. You represent the Church’s youth! If the Church ...read more

Blessed José de Anchieta José de Anchieta was born in 1534 on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.  José first went to study in Portugal when he was 14 years old at the Royal College of Arts in Coimbra. Intensely religious, he felt the vocation for priesthood and sought admission in 1551 to the Jesuit College ...read more

Young people carry the World Youth Day Cross during its arrival in Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil on May 19, 2013. To find out more about this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, visit wydcentral.org CNS photo/Ricardo Moraes, Reuters ...read more

The very light that guides our path Deacon Pedro Guevara Mann Producer, Salt and Light Catholic Television Network In Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict wrote: “Faith is a personal act – the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself. But faith is not an isolated act. No one can ...read more

Pope Francis’ first encyclical is a beautiful invitation to believers and seekers alike.  While Lumen Fidei is officially addressed to bishops, priests, members of religious orders and “the lay faithful,” it is also a heartfelt attempt to speak to anyone still searching for God. There is probably little that will be deemed “newsworthy” in Lumen ...read more