Below is the prayer written by Pope John Paul II to St. Augustine on the occasion of 1,650th anniversary of the saint’s birth. O great Augustine, our father and teacher, who knows the shining paths of God and also the crooked paths of men, we admire the marvels that divine Grace has worked in you, ...read more

A reflection on Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in honour of his feast day. ...read more

Read Fr. Michael Knox, SJ's reflection on the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe: Franciscan martyr of WWII in honour of his feast day. ...read more

Why Saint Alphonsus Liguori is a true gift to the Catholic Church; A reflection in honour of his feast day (August 1). ...read more

A Jesuit Perspective on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, July 31 There is an old story which passes from generation to generation within the Society of Jesus which quotes St. Ignatius of Loyola as having said that should the Society be disbanded he would need 15 minutes of prayer in order to reconcile ...read more

As Pope Francis was leaving the cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday following mass with the bishops and priests, he met a couple who presented to him their own newly-born daughter who was born anacephalic (without a brain). Normally the baby would have died at birth but she was still alive.  ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the Coordinating Committee of CELAM, the Latin American Bishops’ Conference, July 28, 2013 1. Introduction I thank the Lord for this opportunity to speak with you, my brother bishops, the leadership of CELAM for the four-year period from 2011 to 2015. For 57 years CELAM has served the 22 Episcopal ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the 28th World Youth Day Prayer Vigil on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 2013 Dear Young Friends, We have just recalled the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. In front of the crucifix he heard the voice of Jesus saying to him: “Francis, go, rebuild my house.” The ...read more

Watching the footage of this week, and especially the Way of the Cross yesterday and the Vigil tonight, I am reminded of the essence of our mission here at Salt and Light.  In so many ways, the world is covered in darkness and embraced by a wave of indifference, and the fault is ours. It ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the Bishops of Brazil, Archbishopric São Joaquim, July 27, 2013 Dear Brothers, How good it is to be here with you, the Bishops of Brazil! Thank you for coming, and please allow me to speak with you as one among friends. That’s why I prefer to speak to you in Spanish, so ...read more