From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 18, the antiphon is based on Exodus ...read more

I vaguely remember my mother telling us, during the Season of Advent, while growing up, about the “O” antiphons. I never really understood what these were. Even as an adult, she would occasionally send me various reflections on the “O” antiphons. I must say, with regret that while I thought it to be an important ...read more

Pope Francis has issued his first Apostolic Exhortation on Tuesday, Evangelii Gaudium, translated into English as The Joy of the Gospel. The 224-page document outlines the Pope’s vision for a missionary Church, whose “doors should always be open”. The Pope speaks on numerous themes, including evangelization, peace, homiletics, social justice, the family, respect for creation, ...read more

I quote our guide as we stand on the Mount of Beatitudes admiring the sunset on the Sea of Galilee: “the Sea of Galilee receives and gives, but the Dead See receives and never gives. The Sea of Galilee receives water from the river Jordan, and gives water to the Dead See in the South, ...read more

  This post was contributed by Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, Secretary General of the Canadian Council of Churches.    As I write this blog on the 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in full awareness of it’s theme “Is Christ Divided?”, it is Thanksgiving Monday, a time when so many of us focus on ...read more

How can St. Anthony’s story continue to inspire generations of believers? That was one of many questions I looked into, as I prepared for this latest Catholic Focus. So you know, St. Anthony to this day continues to be one of my favourite Saints in the Church. Besides helping me with lost items (like keys), ...read more

A reflection on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 Psalm 33 “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage” Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20 “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” That has got to be one of my favourite passages of scripture. God ...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

The month of May is traditionally the month of Mary in the Catholic Church. To celebrate this month we’ll be bringing you a series of posts about obscure Marian devotions. The first devotion we’ll be examining is Our Lady Untier of Knots. The year is 1612, the place is Augsburg, Germany. A nobleman named Wolfgang ...read more

   Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ catechesis talk at this week’s General Audience. Transcription and translation provided by Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters, good day. The season of Easter that we are living with joy, guided by the liturgy of the Church, is par excellence the time of the Holy Spirit, ...read more