On my first day back in Rome since October, I was reminded of the many small details that differentiate this part of the world from Toronto. Even from the plane I could see the statuesque stone pines, a variety so graceful that they can be used in bonsai. I also delight in the tiny cars ...read more

According to most economic forecasters the prognosis in 2009 is pretty dismal. Everday we are greeted with newspaper headlines informing us about massive layoffs, falling stock prices, and gut wrenching stories of young people unable to find work and retirees facing the loss of their life savings. The Catholic Church is not exempt from the ...read more

On February 1st, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad was enthroned as the new leader of the 150-million member Russian Orthodox Church. The 62-year old Kirill was elected last week by a council made up of 700 priests, monks, and laypeople representing the dioceses and foreign missions of the Russian Orthodox Church from more than ...read more

I was outraged today when I read the comments of Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the UK’s Sustainable Development Commission, who said in an interview that families should be limited to two children in order to battle Global warming. According to Porritt families with more than two children are “irresponsible”. His commission is set to unveil ...read more

This past weekend, January 31st, was the fest of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian order of priests. I have a soft spot for Don Bosco, as he is commonly known. I grew up in a parish run by Scalabrinian fathers. The Scalabrinians were founded by Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, who was close friends ...read more

It’s the most recognizable pony tail on Salt + Light, and now it’s gone! To celebrate the big 4-0 Salt + Light’s Pedro Guevara Mann did something he hasn’t done since 1996 — cut his hair! No, it wasn’t some kind of act of rebellion to mark his 40th birthday (well, maybe it was), but ...read more

You may think a sport which celebrates violent collisions, bone jarring hits and jar dropping bravado would have little to do with faith. But when the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers square off in Super Bowl XLIII Sunday night there will be plenty of faith stories between the hashmarks. From Arizona Quarterback Kurt Warner’s unabashed ...read more

As anyone who reads this blog will know by now, Vancouver has a new Archbishop, Michael Miller. This past weekend, a Salt + Light crew traveled to Vancouver to cover his Mass of Thanksgiving, which officially marks the beginning of his tenure as Vancouver’s spiritual leader. That Mass will air on Salt + Light this ...read more

Every year (for the past four years), I wait until the time is right, and then I go away to London, Ontario, for a few days and lock myself up in a monastery. No, it’s not that dramatic, really. I spend my time in the monastery in quiet contemplation, to receive spiritual direction, and to ...read more

This Christmas, I received a gift of countless worth: the honour of meeting my newborn nephew and soon-to-be godson, Nathaniel Roland. Not only did he arrive one week early cause he couldn’t bear the thought of missing the big New Year’s bash (like godmother like godson), but he became the reason to celebrate. Holding the ...read more