Pope Francis’ first encyclical is a beautiful invitation to believers and seekers alike.  While Lumen Fidei is officially addressed to bishops, priests, members of religious orders and “the lay faithful,” it is also a heartfelt attempt to speak to anyone still searching for God. There is probably little that will be deemed “newsworthy” in Lumen ...read more

The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa, on today’s publication and distribution of the encyclical letter of faith entitled “Lumen Fidei” – The Light of Faith, made the following statement: “It is with great joy that I welcome Pope Francis’ first encyclical. His reflections on faith are in continuity with all that the ...read more

Blessed Sister Dulce Maria Rita de Souza Pontes was born in 1914 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. From a young age she showed a profound spirit of charity. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God at the age of eighteen taking the name Dulce after her ...read more

A child dressed as an angel walks alongside other women during an Easter Sunday procession in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. To find out more about this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janiero, Brazil visit wydcentral.org CNS photo/Pilar Olivares, Reuters ...read more

The Meera’s look like any other family at the ethnically diverse parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Brampton, Ontario. They warmly greet fellow parishioners as they arrive for Mass, as if they have been here a lifetime. But just a few weeks prior, they were stuck in one of the most dangerous countries on ...read more

  Word has spread quickly about the possibility of two beloved popes of recent history being canonized together in the coming months.  Pope John XXIII, who will forever be remembered for calling and opening the Second Vatican Council, and Pope John Paul II the iconic global figure, are now awaiting Pope Francis’ final approval.  Catholic ...read more

St George St George was a soldier in the Roman Empire at the time of Diocletian. When he converted to Christianity he was tortured and beheaded. Since the fourth century St. George has been venerated as a martyr for Christ. He is represented as one who faces the dragon, symbolizing his firm faith and triumph ...read more

A woman walks past religious icons hanging on a wall during celebrations for the feast of St. George the martyr in Rio de Janeiro. St. George is one of the most popular saints in Brazil, where many believe he protects against evil. To find out more about this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de ...read more

In today’s photo of the day, children play in the Vidigal neighborhood in the southern section of Rio de Janiero. In 1980 Pope John Paul II was so stunned by the poverty he saw there that he gave Vidigal his gold ring as an offering. With help from the church, the dangerous and drug-ridden neighborhood ...read more

Blessed Albertina Berkenbrock Albertina Berkenbrock was born in Santa Catarina, Brazil in 1919. On August 16, 1928, she made her First Holy Communion; an experience she described as the most beautiful day of her life. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a model of purity and the ...read more