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

If you missed the broadcast premiere of This Side of Eden on Sunday, there are a number of other opportunities to see it throughout Holy Week and the Easter Triduum: Salt + Light (live streaming and iPhone 3Gs/4 LIVE feed off our main page too) Monday, April 18th: 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT Wednesday April ...read more

To mark the beginning of Holy Week, Benedict XVI preached on the Lord’s ascent to Jerusalem, which was commemorated liturgically with the blessing of palm branches and the procession with them before Mass. In his homily, the Holy Father said that man seeks to follow Jesus “along the high road that leads to the living ...read more

Which is your favourite Holy Week liturgy? Of the 156 people who responded to the question, Easter Vigil came out on top with 82 votes. Good Friday received 27 votes, Holy Thursday 20 votes, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday came out almost even at 12 and 11 respectively… and there 4 votes in the ‘other’ ...read more

Pope Benedict has repeatedly urged the universal Church to encourage and support Christians in the Holy Land. One way to do this is financially through the collection traditionally taken up on Good Friday. A letter from the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri was released Monday calling on the faithful to ...read more