Following a historic three-day visit to Lebanon, Pope Benedict is now on his way back to Rome. This was a very important trip for the 85-year old Pontiff. Despite increased tension and violence in the Middle East, he spent time meeting with government officials, signed the long-awaited Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Medio Oriente and met ...read more

Earlier today, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass and officially presented the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Medio Oriente at the City Centre Waterfront in Beirut. Published below are copies of his homily and Angelus, which followed the celebration of Mass. Dear Brothers and Sisters, “Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Eph 1:3).  ...read more

This special message comes to us from Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, the Archbishop of Ottawa. His letter coincides with today’s feast, the Triumph of the Cross. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This fall marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. To commemorate this Golden Anniversary, Pope Benedict XVI wrote ...read more

Below you will find an English translation of the address Pope Benedict gave this past Wednesday inside the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican. In his catechesis, Pope Benedict continued his reflection on prayer, using the book of Revelation. Dear brothers and sisters, Last Wednesday I spoke about prayer in the first part of ...read more

For me, life means Christ, and death is gain: A Reflection for the Feast of St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For September 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Politicians. That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for truth. Help for Poorest Churches. That Christian communities may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and ...read more

After an incredibly busy year here at the office, I began wondering how I would spend my two weeks holidays. To date, I really haven’t taken any personal days for myself. It’s been go, go, go all year with many exciting projects. Many possibilities presented themselves. I was asked a few months ago by a ...read more

From the office of daily readings for August 28, Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor O Eternal Truth, true love and beloved eternity from The Confessions of Saint Augustine Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under your guidance the innermost places of my being; but only because you had become my helper was ...read more

Considered the last of the Fathers of the Church, St. Bernard of Clairvaux has been celebrated for centuries as a man of great intellect and greater holiness. As is evident in his prolific writings, Bernard was one for whom the Word of God impregnated every aspect of the human experience. He knew the Bible by ...read more

Just as the faithful of Vancouver have a pilgrimage to celebrate the feast of Assumption, Catholics in Edmonton have their own shrine to visit on this feast. The Skaro shrine, located 80 km northeast of Edmonton, was built at the turn of the 20th century by residents of the Polish settlement there. In 1904 residents ...read more