Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, delivered the homily during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His message incorporated some of the great intellectual and spiritual figures in the history of the Church, and urged the faithful to repentance with the sure knowledge that abounding mercy and forgiveness ...read more

The Colosseum – an enduring symbol of the Roman Empire, and a memorial to the Christian martyrs of old. During the frequent imperial persecutions of the first three centuries Christians were led onto these very grounds and burned or fed to wild beasts. One of the Church’s first bishops, St. Ignatius of Antioch, was martyred ...read more

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper recalls the institution of the Eucharist and the giving of a new commandment: “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (Jn 13:34)  In his homily from the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Pope Benedict commented on the events which ...read more

In his homily during the Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica this morning – at which sacramental oils are blessed and priestly ordination promises are renewed – Pope Benedict XVI encouraged and challenged the Catholic priests of the world: “Does our consecration extend to the daily reality of our lives – do we operate as ...read more

“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13:15) Watch Salt + Light coverage of the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper today from the Vatican. WATCH NOW: http://saltandlighttv.org/live/ Chrism Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Thursday, April 5 ...read more

In his homily during the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict highlighted the great joy around Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem – “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!” (MK 11:9-10)  The Holy ...read more

On Good Friday, the Pope asks every parish in the world to take up a collection for the Church in the Holy Land. Which raises the question, what exactly does the Church in the Holy Land do with this? Among the most prominent Catholic institutions in the region is the Franciscan Custody of the Holy ...read more

Each year on Good Friday, dioceses and parishes in Canada and around the world hold a Collection for the Holy Land. Cardinal Leonardi Sandro, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, has issued a letter to promote this Collection. His letter includes a report (in English only) by the Custody for the Holy Land on ...read more

We are about halfway through lent already, the point at which many people begin to think “why did give up chocolate?” or “why did I decide to get up earlier to pray before I start my day?” It’s also the point when many people feel the need for more spiritual nourishment in order to get ...read more

Photo: Basilica of Santa Sabina, Roman station church Countless Churches around the world, and here at home, have their own particular way of praying the Stations of the Cross during the liturgical season of Lent. Rome has its own special way of marking the season of Lent known as “Station churches.” These are churches appointed ...read more