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

The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever (13:8). This is why the mission of God, this mission for all humanity, a mission we should all be taking seriously, calls us today to discern how best to fulfill it to our people in our day. ...read more

Today’s solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the crowning of the liturgical year, also marks the conclusion of the Year of Faith opened by Pope Benedict XVI, to whom our thoughts now turn with affection and gratitude. By this providential initiative, he gave us an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of ...read more

One of the first times that I heard the phrase “the new evangelization” was in John Paul II’s Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (at the close of the Great Jubilee of 2000): Over the years, I have often repeated the summons to the new evangelization. I do so again now, especially in order to insist ...read more

In case you missed it this week, or haven’t had a chance to read the full text, here is Pope Francis’ Catechesis at this week’s General Audience, with English voice over. Once again Pope Francis asks if you know the date of your Baptism. Be prepared! The Holy Father also gives out homework as part ...read more

Asking what you do to strengthen your faith is a bit of a non-question. The answer is obvious: You pray, you go to the Sacraments, you read Scripture, you engage with a Parish community. But when your faith feels fragile, how do you strengthen it? Because most people who are struggling with faith and feeling ...read more

Well, there’s good news! We’ve made recent episodes of The Church Alive show available online so you can re-watch or catch-up on episodes that have already aired. Visit our website for the latest episode, peruse through the schedule to see what you can look forward to or play-back old episodes. In the meantime, watch our ...read more

Over 100 thousand people gathered with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square for Mass today, Sunday, October 27th, 2013, to mark the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time and the World Family Day at the close of the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which met in Rome this past week to ...read more

Today, Saturday, October 26, Pope Francis gathered with families for the The Pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Tomb for the Year of Faith, an event planned by the Pontifical Council for the Family. Here is the Holy Father’s address: Dear Families! Good evening and welcome to Rome! You have come as pilgrims from many parts of ...read more