During his Sunday address to the faithful at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of his deep sadness at the Connecticut school shooting that left more than two dozen adults and children dead.
True peacemakers, the pope said, “are those who love, defend and promote human life in all its dimensions.”
On Jan. 1, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI established the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter to allow Anglican and Episcopalian groups in the U.S. to become Catholic
Meet Dylana Smith, a Catholic teen working with in her diocese with youth ministry. This inspiring sixteen-year-old is using Instagram, a social networking tool to promote the New Evangelization called for by Pope Benedict XVI among followers on the popular app.
You might think of him as “just the copy guy” but the Vatican’s copy guy actually has a different handle: “Monsignor 007.” Why the codename? That’s because Mitja Leskovar, the Slovenian priest who oversees photocopies of sensitive Vatican documents, is also responsible for a sweeping series of new security measures.
“We’re in the chapel eight times a day singing to God, and it’s just something that comes naturally from our hearts.”
Tekakwitha, a Native American known for her life of simplicity and sacrifice in the service of the Catholic Church became one of two Americans among seven others who reached sainthood status this weekend at the Vatican in Rome. The other American, Mother Marianne Cope, who was born in Germany but came to the United States as a child, was recognized for her work with those ailing from leprosy.
“The ‘door of faith’ (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church.” With these words Pope Benedict XVI welcomed us to begin this Year of Faith.The Year of Faith, like all gifts, must be received and opened.
The Synodal Assembly which opens today is dedicated to this new evangelization, to help these people encounter the Lord, who alone who fills our existence with deep meaning and peace; and to favour the rediscovery of the faith, that source of grace which brings joy and hope to personal, family and social life.
In liturgical prayer, especially the Eucharist, and – formats of the liturgy – in every prayer, we do not speak as single individuals, rather we enter into the “we” of the Church that prays. And we need to transform our “I” entering into this “we”.
In our devotion to Mary we must pray that our own lives be rooted in the virtues of the...
The Blessed Virgin Mary, because of her profound humility, had no other ambition than to do the will of...
