For many the Year of Mercy is a challenge. One finds oneself wondering “how do I do this mercy thing?” While it does entail a certain amount of humility and willingness to let go of oneself, there are some helpful guidelines. Sr. John Mary of the Sisters of Life shared some of the necessary “dispositions ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For March 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Respect for Women – That in every country of the world, women may be honored.  Holy Rosary – That families, communities and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.  Daily Offering ...read more

Much has been made of the messages Pope Francis delivered during his visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. As always, the pope made reference to local saints and historical episodes in his homilies and addresses, thrilling the locals and confusing foreigners following on television. Here’s a rundown of the some of the people and things ...read more

Most priests are not adequately prepared to deal with difficult pastoral situations, according to Vatican officials studying the pastoral challenges to the family. This was one of the topics included in the Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, for the upcoming Synod on the family. The document was the result of a consultation process, which involved ...read more

The week started off with a shocking theft, the recovery of the stolen item (in multiple installments) the announcement of a new book that is already getting a mixed reception, an audience with an American University, the announcement that several people are moving closer to sainthood….and it closed with the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of ...read more

by Elizabeth Krump It’s part of the human condition: we all crave connection. Friendship, fellowship, relationship – these are enormously important concepts to us. We have a desire to understand and be understood, to love and to be loved, not just in a romantic way, but in an emotional and spiritual way. And while it ...read more

In a week when the media was focusing on bishops with lavish spending habits, and funeral rites for Nazi war criminals, Pope Francis was drawing people back to what matters: prayer. Pope Francis put prayer front and centre this week any chance he could get. On Thursday the official papal tweet read: “Our prayer cannot ...read more

This post is part of a series of reflections by TJP writers on Pope Francis’s recent interview. Full Series List: The Papal Interview: Young Jesuits React and Reflect The Original Interview: At America Magazine By Jason Welle, SJ Pope Francis’s interview has many people, not least us here at TJP, jumping for joy, and rightly ...read more

If you’ve been paying close attention to the subjects of the past three episodes of Panes of Glory, you would have noticed that we haven’t touched on any windows of women.  Are they in hiding?  Are they not important? For this last episode in the series, be prepared to meet some of the most powerful ...read more

Women – particularly mothers – are hard on themselves. This became very apparent to me as I joined the ranks of mommy groups after my first baby was born two years ago. With the pressures of caring for our children, our homes, and our family’s faith life placed squarely on our shoulders, we have good ...read more