I remember once, a Cuban friend who grew up in Cuba with no Christmas, telling me that she had never seen or heard of a Christmas tree before she left Cuba. But had Christ never been born, the implications would be much worse than not having Christmas trees. Just think of the music we’d be ...read more

But it's hard to escape the baggage of Christmas. It’s usually about this time that I start thinking about all the people who get lonely at Christmas. It’s true. This holiday reminds us of family, of our childhood and many people don’t have that, or have issues to reconcile or a past that they would rather not remember. Secular Christmas brings all that to the forefront. ...read more

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on discernment by returning to the theme of “desolation.” He says that “desolation is the clearest response to the objection that the experience of God is a form of wishful thinking, a simple projection of our desires,” because “the spiritual life is the relationship with God, the Living One who ...read more

Earlier this week I found myself listening to R.E.M.’s It’s the End of the World (although I much prefer the cover by Great Big Sea). It’s a good song and, while I’m not exactly sure what it’s about, I always think about it around this time of the year when all the Mass readings have ...read more

In today’s General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on his Apostolic Visit to Bahrain as a time of “dialogue,” “encounter” and “journey.” He says that “dialogue is ‘the oxygen of peace,'” that “encounters can form stronger relationships,” and that this “first visit of a Pope in Bahrain represents a new step on the journey between Christian ...read more

On Sunday, November 6, during the last day of his apostolic visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Pope Francis participated in a prayer meeting and Angelus with bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians, and pastoral workers. Below is the full text of the words he addressed to them on this occasion:   Pope Francis’ address to ...read more

On Saturday, November 5, Pope Francis visited Sacred Heart School in Awali where he met with young people from the Kingdom of Bahrain. He watched performances by dancers and a choir. Below is the full text of the words he addressed to youth on this occasion:   Pope Francis’ address to youth Sacred Heart School ...read more

On Saturday, November 5, the third day of his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Pope Francis participated in Mass at Bahrain National Stadium. Pope Francis speaks of Jesus’ invitation to love always and to put love into practice. Read the full text of his homily below:   HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS “Bahrain National Stadium” ...read more

At Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, Bahrain on November 4, Pope Francis addressed an Ecumenical meeting and prayer for peace. He reflected on the “unity in diversity and witness of life” given by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and said that “the praise of God” is the “gathering place” and “spiritual cenacle of our communion.” ...read more

At the Mosque of Sakhir Royal Palace in Alawi, Bahrain on November 4, Pope Francis addressed a meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders. He said that religious leaders have “a unique and inescapable duty: to help humanity to rediscover the forgotten sources of life, to lead men and women to drink from ...read more