In the high school chapel, young people are meditating. A song rises spontaneously. Then silence. A song springs up again: “The Holy Spirit is given to us…”
The last preparatory meeting for confirmation has just ended. We who are accompanying these youths are both surprised and moved by this improvised praise. Something has taken place during these times of preparation; something which is beyond us.
Francis at Santa Marta explains the “topography” of the Christian life and its three points of reference: memory of the first encounter with God, prayer and “going” on mission to proclaim Jesus
Pope Francis wrapped up an intense 1-day apostolic visit to the Italian port city of Genoa with the celebration of Mass.
To the faithful present for the open-air ceremony in Genoa’s Kennedy Square, the Pope said Christians must never tire of working for the common good, they must never fear going out into the world with Christ’s message of peace and hope…
The Islamic State’s double attack shakes Jakarta: Christians and Muslims hold on to Pancasila, the Charter of five principles protecting democracy and pluralism.
After meeting with Trump, Francis at the general audience greets the faithful of Hong Kong on the day of Our Lady of Sheshan
The Church “is not trapped inside a fortified citadel, but walks in its most vital environment, which is the road” and there “meets people with their hopes and disappointments, which are sometimes heavy.” The Pope said in the general audience.
The Ascension of Jesus
When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Why did Jesus have to ascend into Heaven so that his resurrected body would be hidden from our natural sight? I’ve squirmed with guilt over asking the question. Hadn’t Jesus already done more than enough for us by suffering, dying, and rising? Wasn’t he entitled to a glorious homecoming at the right hand of the Father — and maybe a bit of a break from us and our brokenness?
A 28 minute-talk at the audience with US President. The initial tension dissolves in a more relaxed atmosphere towards the end. Bergoglio asks the White House tenant for a commitment to peace
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Mary Help of Christians on May 24. Today, like centuries before, Christians facing persecution, violence and death, have invoked Mary’s protection under this designation. Concerning it, Saint John Bosco wrote of his order, the Salesians' primary mission: "The principal objective is to promote veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians. This title seems to please the august Queen of Heaven very much."
Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales writes a letter to the bishop of the diocese affected by the terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert.
