A lovely, if often overlooked, element in preparation for the sacrament of marriage as a Catholic is the Rite of Betrothal offered by the Church. My fiancé and I were thrilled by the opportunity to participate in this rite in the midst of our engagement and wedding planning. If you are unfamiliar, the Rite of ...read more

  Pope Benedict XVI: A Lifelong Commitment to Ecumenism by Sr. Donna Geernaert, SC   One day after his election to the papacy on April 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the College of Cardinals. He affirmed his commitment to the ecumenical agenda of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, and identified his primary task ...read more

Gratitude for a generous gift. That is my overwhelming response to the life, ministry, and towering intellect of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Gratitude for this foremost public theologian of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Gratitude for his tireless efforts to communicate the faith of the Church in a world that is forgetting its theological ...read more

On January 5, Pope Francis presided over the funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Square. Read below the full text of the homily he gave on this solemn occasion:   Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis St. Peter’s Square Thursday, 5 January 2023   “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” ...read more

In today’s catechesis on discernment, Pope Francis pays his respects to Benedict XVI and speaks on spiritual accompaniment and the Virgin Mary as a “great teacher of discernment.” Read the full text below: Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! Before beginning this catechesis, I would like us to join with those here beside us who ...read more

A year into his pontificate, Benedict XVI wrote his Spiritual Testament. He thanked God, his parents, and loved ones, and reflected on the insights and challenges of theology in the 20th century. The Vatican released it on the day he died, December 31, 2022. Read the full text below: Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict ...read more