At 8:30 pm on Holy Saturday evening, Pope Francis presided in the Vatican Basilica at the Solemn Easter Vigil in this holy night. The ritual began in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica with the blessing of fire and preparation of the paschal candle. The procession to the main altar with the lighted Paschal candle and ...read more

Good Friday – Passion of the Lord Way of the Cross, Led by His Holiness Pope Francis Meditations by Anne-Marie Pelletier Introduction The hour has now come. Jesus’ journey along the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, an endless encounter with afflicted bodies and hearts, a journey driven by his urgent need to proclaim the ...read more

On Good Friday at 5:00 p.m., Rome time in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Passion according to the Gospel of John was proclaimed. This was followed by the homily delivered by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. ...read more

Here is a Zenit translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave off-the-cuff after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. ...read more

Chrism Mass Homily of Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston Cathedral of the Holy Cross April 11, 2017 One of the common themes of movies and TV shows is time travel, apparatuses that allow people to travel back in time. By adding the renewal of our priestly commitment, Pope Paul VI has given ...read more

On Thursday, Pope Francis presided over the Chrism Mass, during which the sacred oils used for the Sacraments and Ordinations were blessed. In his homily for the Mass, the Holy Father spoke about the “joy of the Gospel”. ...read more

It is always amazing how Jesus speaks to us through the hearts of children. Watch The Good Shepherd and walk with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, from the Last Supper, his arrest, passion and crucifixion, with the help of the imagination and words of children. The Good Shepherd was made in partnership with the Office of ...read more

A reflection on the Passion of our Lord What do we celebrate on Good Friday? Why do we drag ourselves through the Passion year after year instead of skipping right ahead to the joy of the resurrection at Easter? Do we not know that Jesus is risen? Do we suffer from annual amnesia, reliving the same ...read more

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Palm Sunday 9 April 2017 Today’s celebration can be said to be bittersweet. It is joyful and sorrowful at the same time. We celebrate the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem to the cries of his disciples who acclaim him as king. Yet we also solemnly proclaim the Gospel account of ...read more

Another beautiful Liturgy that takes place during Holy Week is one that is not attended by most lay people, but nevertheless has its importance and place during Holy Week. It is the Chrism Mass. ...read more