As we enter into a particularly focused period of prayer with the beginning of the Easter Triduum today, let us keep our Holy Father’s intentions in our prayers this month. Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for April is: That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by ...read more

When discussing the Milwaukee abuse case in his letter to the New York Times (published earlier today on the S+L Blog HERE), Cardinal Levada refers to the presiding judge in the canonical trial of Fr. Lawrence Murphy.  The presiding judge at the time was Fr. Thomas Brundage.  Fr. Brundage, who is now serving in the ...read more

The official newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the Catholic San Francisco, has published a letter by Cardinal William J. Levada responding to New York Times’ articles on clergy sexual abuse and Pope Benedict XVI.  The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith defends the Holy Father and chastises the paper ...read more

“I am well aware,” Christopher West confessed in his recent interview with S+L, “that those looking for flaws in me will always be able to find them.” The popular Theology of the Body author and speaker offered a forthright response to his critics, who last year sparked a surprising public debate among Catholic academics. Theologian ...read more

For nearly thirty years it has been claimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing in Medjugorje, a small town in western Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many believe, while many are skeptical. Earlier this month, Pope Benedict XVI launched an investigation into the alleged apparitions. Today on the Catholic News Service Vatican Report, Carol Glatz ...read more

As Pope Benedict XVI comes under vicious criticism by the media regarding claims of clergy sexual  abuse, the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent a letter to the Holy Father offering his prayers and support on behalf of the Bishops of Canada. Bishop Pierre Morissette writes: “We recognize with admiration and ...read more

The Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated their Chrism Mass in the heart of the city today at St. Michael’s Cathedral.  The Mass, which commemorates the gift of the priesthood, was well attended by many priests and by many faithful who wanted to support their pastors. In his homily, Archbishop Thomas Collins spoke about the role of ...read more

The Church graciously gives to us so many gifts. Through the Sacraments, through the liturgies, through guided prayer and meditation, we are given powerful moments to grow in our spirituality and we are offered this gift of faith. But gifts come not only from moments but through people. And the Church has certainly given us ...read more

[The following article was written by the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus Carl Anderson, and originally appeared in the Monday March 26th edition of Zenit.] Twenty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II inaugurated the celebration of World Youth Day — to be celebrated on Palm Sunday each year. He understood — as does ...read more

I met the Pope on Friday. The president of Guatemala was in Italy and, as per protocol, he also stopped by the Vatican to see Benedict XVI. Because I speak Spanish and Italian, I was included in the press pool that was allowed into the San Damaso Library for the visit. The pool of journalists ...read more