Homily of Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM, Cap. Preacher of the Papal Household, at Good Friday Serivice for the Passion of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica. We have just heard the account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. There is one point in particular in that account on which we need to pause.  Then Pilate took ...read more

“JUDAS WAS STANDING WITH THEM” (JN 18:5) Following the tradition, the homily for this afternoon’s Good Friday Service for the Passion of the Lord is preached by Capuchin Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa. In the divine-human history of the passion of Jesus, there are many minor stories about men and women who entered into the ray of ...read more

In a solemn liturgy that began with Pope Francis prostrating himself before the Cross, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion was held today in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Following tradition, the Good Friday homily was given by the Preacher to the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap. The Capuchin father’s message is titled, ...read more

Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, delivered the homily during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His message incorporated some of the great intellectual and spiritual figures in the history of the Church, and urged the faithful to repentance with the sure knowledge that abounding mercy and forgiveness ...read more

The Son of God came into this world, and good carpenter that he became under Joseph’s training, he gathered together the most rickety and knotty pieces of wood that he could find, and  he built a ship that is still afloat after 2,000 years. That’s from the Scottish Catholic writer Bruce Marshall. Papal household preacher ...read more

Ecce lignum crucis, in quo salus mundi pependit. Venite, adoremus. Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world. Come, let us worship. Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., quoted that familiar refrain as he concluded his homily at the Good Friday liturgy. The Papal household preacher delivered the homily, as ...read more

As we’ve said many times, the Easter Triduum is the peak of the liturgical calendar.  The Triduum — and Holy Week — also provide some excellent homilies and messages to reflect upon.  You may want to check out the following: Pope Benedict’s Urbi et Orbi Message and Blessing: “The Church is the people of the ...read more