Irenaeus was a Greek who was born between the years 120 and 140. He had the great privilege of being taught by St. Polycarp, who had been a disciple of St. John the Apostle. Irenaeus once told a friend: “I listened to St. Polycarp’s instructions very carefully. I wrote down his actions and his words, […]

The Holy Father Benedict XVI has called the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. The event, which is due to be held in the Vatican from October 4 to 25, 2009, has as its theme: “The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. ‘You are the salt […]

(VIS) - Given below is the text of a communique released today by the Holy See Press Office concerning Benedict XVI’s forthcoming “Motu Proprio” on the use of the Missal promulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962.
  “Yesterday afternoon in the Vatican, a meeting was held under the presidency of the Cardinal Secretary of State […]

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
preserve in me the heart of a child,
pure and transparent as a spring.
Obtain for me a simple heart
That does not brood over sorrows;
A heart generous in giving itself,
Quick to feel compassion;
A faithful, generous heart
that forgets no favor
and holds no grudge.
Give me a humble, gentle heart
Loving without asking any return;
A great indomitable […]

Benedict XVI named Archbishop John Foley as pro-grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.Archbishop Foley, 71, leaves his position as president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, where he has served for 23 years. He succeeds Cardinal Carlo Furno, 85, who presented his request for retirement for reasons of age.
John […]

Affirms That St. Cyril Is a Model for Today 
Benedict XVI offered the example of one of the first Christian catechists as a role model for the Church of today.
The Pope dedicated his address at today’s general audience in Paul VI Hall to the figure of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a fourth-century bishop.
“Cyril’s homilies make up […]

Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli as the new president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Archbishop Celli, 65, is leaving his current post as the secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See to assume his new position. Archbishop Celli will be taking over the presidency of the communication […]

Offers Responsible Advertising Guidelines
The Catholic Church has been in advertising for 2,000 years, says Archbishop John Foley. It is called evangelization.
Archbishop Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and a self-proclaimed “chocoholic,” talked with executives of the Nestle Corporation about advertising on June 22 in France.
“The presentation of the good news of Jesus […]

Campaign Looks to Aid Couples
In a campaign to promote matrimony the U.S. bishops are asking couples, “What have you done for your marriage today?”
Today, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ committee on Marriage and Family, introduced public service announcements and a Web campaign to highlight the value of marriage and […]

Saint Gerard, spotless lily of purity, by the angelic virtue and thy wonderful innocence of life thou didst receive from the Infant Jesus and His Immaculate Mother, sweet pledges of tenderest love, grant, I beseech thee, that I may ever strive in my life-long fight, and thus win the crown that awaits the brave and […]