The Early Renaissance is considered one of the most crucial and dynamic periods in Western art history. Wealthy 14th-century Florentine citizens commissioned extravagant works of art, spurring artists to explore new materials and innovate new artistic techniques. In a type of new evangelization of their era, these artists also turned to the New Testament stories ...read more

An integral part of any successful pilgrimage is that moment of self-doubt when you ask yourself, “What have I gotten myself into?” This was a question often uttered along the route of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which I walked last fall. On the rough days, as we shuffled along the seemingly interminable path, ...read more

Below is the full text of a pastoral letter written by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk  to all Ukranian Greek Catholic faithful. The topic of the letter is The Vibrant Parish – A place to encounter the living Christ. On this occasion I wish to emphasize that all the members of our Church have a personal responsibility ...read more

Below is the full text of a letter from Ukranian Greek Catholic Major Archbishop, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk to the Beloved Mothers of Priests serving in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church throughout the world. Dearly Beloved Mothers,Christ is Risen!During my life as a layman, priest and bishop, I’ve come to reaIize that perhaps the most solemn ...read more

Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily during Canonization Mass for three new saints, Sunday May 12 at St. Peter’s Square. Transcription and translation courtesy of Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters! In this seventh Sunday of Easter we are gathered to celebrate with joy a feast of holiness. Thanks be to God ...read more

Do you remember where you were when the white smoke appeared, heralding the election of Pope Francis? That will always be an easy question for me, since I was in the S+L studio doing live commentary. The third smoke signal of the conclave looked distinctly different from the first two, which were easily discernible as ...read more

February 11 will long be remembered as the day Pope Benedict announced his resignation – the first pontiff in 600 years to do so. But do you recall the event during which he made his stunning declaration? The Holy Father had convoked a meeting of cardinals to vote on three causes for canonization. As expected, ...read more

There were three popes in Vatican City on Friday May 10, 2013: Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Tawadros II. The latter is the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian church in the Middle East. Pope Tawadros was making his first trip outside Egypt since he was enthroned in November ...read more

The month of May is traditionally the month of Mary in the Catholic Church. To celebrate this month we’ll be bringing you a series of posts about obscure Marian devotions. The first devotion we’ll be examining is Our Lady Untier of Knots. The year is 1612, the place is Augsburg, Germany. A nobleman named Wolfgang ...read more

   Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ catechesis talk at this week’s General Audience. Transcription and translation provided by Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters, good day. The season of Easter that we are living with joy, guided by the liturgy of the Church, is par excellence the time of the Holy Spirit, ...read more