Violence in the Middle East, Libya, the Ivory Coast. Destruction in Japan. Persecution of Christians. Amidst all the turmoil it seems hard to find the joy of Easter. But in his Urbi et Orbi message, Pope Benedict XVI says it is for these “painful situations” that Christ died for us. In heaven all is peace ...read more

Christ is Risen, alleluia! Truly, He is Risen, alleluia! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ...read more

In an Easter Vigil liturgy that included six readings, Pope Benedict chose to focus on the first one. In explaining the selection of the reading from the first chapter of Genesis, the Pope asks, “Is it really important to speak also of creation during the Easter Vigil? Could we not begin with the events in ...read more

Pope Benedict presided over the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum today. The meditations this year were written by an Augustian nun, Sister Maria Rita Piccione, OSA. She’s the President of the Our Lady of Good Counsel Federation of Augustinian Monasteries in Italy. In the meditation on the fourth station, Jesus meets his Mother, ...read more

Ecce lignum crucis, in quo salus mundi pependit. Venite, adoremus. Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world. Come, let us worship. Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., quoted that familiar refrain as he concluded his homily at the Good Friday liturgy. The Papal household preacher delivered the homily, as ...read more

During the Last Supper, Jesus pleaded four times for unity. Pope Benedict says that plea remains his constant prayer to the Father on our behalf. Unity, conversion and humility were themes from the Holy Father’s homily celebrated today at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. “How deeply it must have concerned him!” said the Holy ...read more

While many dioceses in Canada celebrate their Chrism Mass at the beginning of Holy Week, in Rome the Mass which has the blessing of the holy oils is held the morning of Holy Thursday. During this morning’s Mass, the Holy Father offered a reflection on the significance of the three oils: “the oil for anointing ...read more

The Easter Triduum offers the most beautiful liturgies of the year. Salt + Light is connecting viewers with Rome and the Holy Father through live broadcasts of the Triduum liturgies. On Holy Thursday, April 21st at 11:30am ET/8:30am PT, Pope Benedict XVI will commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper as he celebrates Holy Mass from the Basilica ...read more

In 1858, four Sisters of St. Ann traveled from Montreal to Canada’s West Coast aboard the SS Seabird with Victoria’s first Bishop, Modeste Demers (a relative of their current Bishop!).  They made the two-month voyage via a circuitous route through the Isthmus of Panama. Their goal was to aid the Bishop in his mission to ...read more

Holy Week has begun and here in Canada we are two weeks away from a Federal Election – needless to say, there are a lot of people who are not paying attention to Holy Week and Easter, and a lot of people who are not paying attention to the election. I think the latter group ...read more