For Lebanese professor Antoine Courban, invited to the recent conference on citizenship promoted by al-Azhar, Islamic culture is attempting to make an epochal turn.

In his apartment on the first floor of a modern building in the heart of Ashrafyyeh, Beirut’s “Christian Quarter”, Antoine Courban, professor at Saint Joseph University, a historical Jesuit establishment in Libanon. Among Byzantine icons and Koranic commentaries, the professor is anticipating Pope Francis’ arrival to Cairo.

The social media feeds are filled with woeful statuses and comments about the possibility of a nuclear war involving North Korea and the United States. Looks like Russia and China are dangling their fingers in the situation as well.

That’s a very simplistic summary of what’s going on in the world arena, but it’s enough for the purposes of this post. I write about spirituality, not politics. My concern here isn’t what’s going on inside of government offices but rather what’s going on inside of our hearts – and what’s coming out of our mouths as a result.

According to pious tradition, the Rosary was given to Saint Dominic in an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the year 1214. In the 15th century, it was promoted by Alanus de Rupe (St. Alan of the Rock), a Dominican priest and theologian, who established the "fifteen rosary promises" and started many rosary confraternities.

The best way for a good night's sleep is to reclaim your inner peace and rest with a heart united to God

My dear God in heaven,
O Creator,
O One who loved me into being…

Now that the voices are silenced
and the crowded world of projects
and overwhelming noise is hushed,
here, at my bed, I seek your consolation.

Even though candles no longer have a practical purpose, the Church still requires their use in the liturgy.

With the exception of the Easter Vigil and the Advent Rorate Masses, in modern celebrations of the Mass, candles typically do not retain their former practical purpose of illuminating a darkened space. Yet, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states, “The candles, which are required at every liturgical service out of reverence and on account of the festiveness of the celebration, are to be appropriately placed either on or around the altar.”

What did Jesus mean when He uttered the words "It is finished!" in John 19:30?

The phrase actually translates one word in Greek, tetelestai, from the root tele­ō, which means "to finish, fulfill."

Significantly, this specific form of the verb, tetelestai, is only found twice in the entire New Testament, both times in John 19.

“May the balm of Mercy reach everyone”

Throughout his papacy so far, Pope Francis has consistently shown himself to be a messenger of mercy. This has been evident not only in the words he has spoken, but also in the deeds he has done – for example, in the strong rumour that he sometimes go out of the Vatican at night to give money to the poor; a rumour which, when directly asked about it in an interview, Archbishop Krajewski refused to deny.

It has been almost two decades since a Roman Catholic Pope has been on an official visit to Egypt. It was the year 2000 when Pope John Paul II said in Arabic “Peace be upon you”, making history as the first Pope to visit Egypt. The Catholic Pope has not visited since, until now. On April 28, Pope Francis will land in Cairo in a visit that has been billed as a historic moment.

The Easter season stretches from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, making up what is known as “The Great 50 Days.” This is a season in which the Church rejoices in and with the resurrected Christ. It is certainly the most festive season of the year as the Church proclaims the Easter Alleluia. Lilies abound in our churches and the baptismal font and the paschal candle are at the center of our Easter celebrations. The faithful renewed their baptismal vows on Easter Sunday and reflects upon them throughout the Easter season.

Holy Week Reminds Us of Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus

When we think of the Passion of our Lord or make the Stations of the Cross, one image that should come into our mind’s eye is the Sixth Station — St. Veronica wiping the face of Jesus to comfort him. Because Jesus left an image of his face on her veil, surely Veronica — and who knows how many others with her — would venerate that image of his Holy Face countless times over the years.