“The good Lord gave me a father and a mother more worthy of Heaven than of earth”. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring These words come to us from Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Carmelite nun and youngest daughter of Louis and Zélie Martin. Their names will soon be added to the book of saints next October ...read more

The first time I heard of Archbishop Oscar Romero was during my Grade 12 religion class. Now, religion was the last class of the day and so there was every reason to just skip it. Something that Mr. Whitebread (no kidding, that was his surname) was all too aware of, and took measures against. His ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For October 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Human Trafficking – That human trafficking, the modern form of slavery, may be eradicated. Mission in Asia – That with a missionary spirit the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to ...read more

“There is something holy about this place, something special. Here we stand on holy ground sanctified by the blood of the martyrs. Here we pray in solidarity with them. These are our Jesuit brothers who gave their lives: willingly, freely – and in love,” says Fr. Steve Leblanc, SJ – Jesuit priest at Martyrs’ Shrine ...read more

On Friday, September 25, 2015, Pope Francis arrived at Ground Zero to participate in an Interreligious Prayer to commemorate the fallen of 9/11. Please see below for the Holy Father’s prepared remarks. Interreligious Meeting Ground Zero Memorial, New York Friday, 25 September 2015 Dear Friends, I feel many different emotions standing here at Ground Zero, ...read more

On Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated the Canonization Mass of St. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Please see below for the full prepared text of his homily. Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington ...read more

Below you will find the final address of Pope Francis during the celebration of Vespers at the Cathedral of Havana on Sunday, September 20, 2015. Celebration of Vespers with Priests, Men and Women Religious and Seminarians at the Cathedral of Havana Homily of Pope Francis – FINAL VERSION Cardinal Jaime [Ortega] spoke to us about ...read more

Say the name Junípero Serra in American church circles and you are likely to get a mixed set of reactions. Some will tell you he is the saintly Franciscan who evangelized what is today the U.S. Others will tell you this is the man who forced the natives to convert by confining them to the ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For September 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Opportunities for the Young – That opportunities for education and employment may increase for all young people. Catechists – That catechists may give witness by living in a way consistent with the faith they proclaim. Daily ...read more

To my Venerable Brothers Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Cardinal Kurt Koch,  President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity Sharing the concern of my beloved brother, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, for the future of creation (cf. Laudato Si’, 7-9), and at the suggestion ...read more