Every WYD has a theme and WYD 2013 was no different. Matthew 28:19 “go and make disciples of all nations” inspired everything that happened in Rio de Janeiro this past summer. But Pope Francis was part of many events and celebrations. Outside of the four main World Youth Day events, he was part of some ...read more

It’s true that in order to be declared a saint you have to be dead; you also have to have two confirmed miracles! But is that what sainthood is about? Do you really have to be dead in order to be a saint? Is there anyone you know whom you’d call a saint? Does being ...read more

Download World Youth Day’s Liturgy Book for Rio 2013. The book includes the Official WYD Prayer, the message of His Holiness Benedict XVI, message from Archbishop Orani João Tempesta, the WYD 2013 Hymn, the Liturgy of the Hours, Patron Saints of the Day, a guide to Confessions, the Order of the mass for all the major events, the ...read more

Archbishop Murray Chatlain of Keewatin-Le Pas, Manitoba, stands up after receiving a pallium from Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, today, June 29, 2013. The pope presented woolen pallia to 34 archbishops during the liturgy. His Holiness Pope Francis gave the pallia to newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops at the Mass celebrating the ...read more

Most people know Brazil to be the home of the Amazon river and the home of the Amazon rainforest. Brazil is also known for its samba music, their soccer teams, Copacaba beach, the Christ the Redeemer Statue, the favela slums and the annual Carnival celebrations. Brazil is also the fifth largest country in the world ...read more

On May 22, 2013, Pope Francis’ daily homily in the Chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae was inspired by the passage from the 9th chapter of Mark in which the disciples tell Jesus that they tried to stop someone who was not one of their party from driving out demons. In one section of his homily, ...read more

This Sunday, Pope Francis will join millions for an hour of prayer with the Blessed Sacrament. The initiative, called Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration, is part of the festivities of the Year of Faith invoked by Benedict XVI. In sync with St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Francis will be present, parishes around the world will hold their ...read more

On Thursday, the faithful will take over the streets of Rome for one of the most hallowed celebrations of the year: Corpus Christi, also known as the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Following the tradition of his predecessors (including Benedict XVI, seen above), Pope Francis will mark the solemnity by presiding at ...read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we contemplate and re-live in the liturgy the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the risen Christ upon his Church; an event of grace which filled the Upper Room in Jerusalem and then spread throughout the world. But what happened on that day, so distant from us and yet ...read more

This weekend, 120,000 members of lay movements and ecclesial associations are gathering in Rome to celebrate Pentecost and the Year of Faith. Around 150 different groups from around the world are registered for the events. Under the slogan, “I Believe! Increase our Faith”, the pilgrimage begins at the tomb of St. Peter on Saturday morning. ...read more