Pope Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit earlier today to the Marian Shrine of Loreto, in Italy. There, he entrusted the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization and the Year of Faith to the Blessed Mother. Published below is a copy of the homily he delivered during Mass at the Shrine of Loreto. ...read more

The last several months, the phrase “The New Evangelization” has come up in many different spheres here in our Salt + Light office. I cannot comprehensively cover all the ins and outs of our efforts on this – as this is in some sense what we do everyday! What I will say is that this ...read more

Who do you think of when you think of “disciple”? I think of a lot of holy and wise men and women and all the Saints: People of great sacrifice, humility, compassion – people who pick up their cross and follow Jesus. of course, I also think of the 12 apostles. They were hand-picked by ...read more

Below you will find an English translation of the address Pope Benedict gave this past Wednesday inside the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican. In his catechesis, Pope Benedict continued his reflection on prayer, using the book of Revelation. Dear brothers and sisters, Last Wednesday I spoke about prayer in the first part of ...read more

For Kris Dmytrenko, David LeRoss and I, tonight marks our final evening here in Niger. Since July 23, we’ve been on the ground working alongside Canada’s Development and Peace, as well as Caritas Niger, known locally as Caritas Développement Niger (CADEV Niger). CADEV works in partnership with a number of national and international humanitarian organizations to support the ...read more

Carlos Ferreira reflects on a visit to the site of St. Ignatius of Loyola's conversion and how God uses us with all our imperfections for His great works. ...read more

After a week of unforgettable moments in Toronto for World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II takes his leave of Canada. It was his third and final visit to Canada, but perhaps one of the most memorable. From Toronto he flew to Guatemala City to canonize blessed Pedro de San Jose Betancur. — Photo courtesy ...read more

While attending a World Youth Day itself has many immediate benefits, it would be a shame if its only benefits stayed trapped in the chronological time period within which they fell. The celebrations of World Youth Day last for a couple weeks. Putting the challenge of World Youth Day into practice takes a lifetime. Part ...read more

This post was written in 2010, just after Ontario hosted the G20 summit. Kris Dmytrenko reflects on how that event and the WYD2002 Way of the Cross changed the city. It takes a powerful force to interrupt the flow of a city like Toronto. If streets are closed for a parade, drivers find other routes ...read more