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Promotes Social Doctrine in Latin America Tour
A democracy without values, including the effort to fight poverty, is actually harmful to society, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Cardinal Renato Martino said that Saturday in Quito, at the inauguration of a conference on the social responsibilities of the governing class in light […]

Archbishop Pius Ncube resigned from leadership of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo, but will now be in charge of pastoral programs.
Archbishop Ncube resigned Sept. 11 after being accused of adultery, a charge that many see as a ploy by the government to silence the prelate. The archbishop has been a staunch defender of human rights and […]

Ordains 5 Italians and 1 Pole to Episcopacy
Bishops must be “angels” for others, explained Benedict XVI on Saturday, during the ordination Mass for six more successors to the apostles.
In a crowded St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope performed his first episcopal ordinations since his election to the See of Peter.
He ordained five Italians and one Pole.
Noting […]

A group of Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims led by their respective leaders journeyed from Rome to Istanbul in a 10-day ecumenical pilgrimage. The 100 pilgrims, led by Catholic Cardinal Sean O’Malley and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios, left Boston on Sept. 16. Details of the entire pilgrimage can be found on Cardinal O’Malley’s blog, complete with […]

Heavenly Father, I kneel before You to pray now the waters of my Baptism to flow back through the generations; through all the roots of my family tree. Let the cleansing, life-giving Blood of Jesus flow through every generation - first, second, third, fourth, fifth; all the way back. Let the Blood of Jesus flow […]

By Father John Flynn, L.C.
Decades of declining birthrates are causing a rapid aging of many nation’s populations.
Romanian President Traian Basescu recently warned that his country’s population was declining and that more needs to be done to support women who have children, the Associated Press reported Sept. 18.
“Romania urgently needs to revise its demographic policies,” he […]

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with the people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sister!
Today, the Gospel of Luke presents the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus (16:19-31). The rich man embodies […]

It is not the length of our prayers that give them value, but their fervor or love. If love needs much time in which to express itself, by all means let it persist in its ardour and in the movement by which it expresses itself. If, on the other hand, a word or even a […]

Jerome was a Roman Christian who lived in the fourth century. His father taught him his religion well, but sent him to a famous pagan school. There Jerome grew to love pagan writings and lost some of his love for God. Yet, in the company of a group of holy Christians, with whom he became […]

Here is the homily delivered by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, primate of Ireland, at the Mass on Tuesday marking the opening of the 2007-2008 school year.
* * *
Homily Notes of
Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland
Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham,
25th September 2007
I remember well the occasion on which I, as archbishop […]

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are called “saints” because they are holy. But they are different from the rest of the saints because they were not human. They are angels. They are protectors of human beings and we know something about each of them from the Bible.
Michael’s name means “who is like God?” Three books of […]

Benedict XVI bid farewell to the community of Castel Gandolfo as he prepares to return to the Vatican next week.
The Pope received in audience today Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the diocese in which Castel Gandolfo is located, as well as local religious communities, the civil authorities and the personnel in charge of security during […]

Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, on the readings from this Sunday’s liturgy.
* * *
A Rich Man who Dressed in Purple Garments and Fine Linen
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
The principal thing to bring to light in regard to […]

Archbishop Asks for an End to Violence
A 40-year-old Catholic priest who was delivering aid to displaced refugees is the latest victim of Sri Lanka’s two-decade civil war.
Jesuit Father Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service in the northeastern district of Mannar, was killed when a land mine exploded, reported Aid to the Church in Need.
The […]

Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Michael Hoeppner, vicar general of the Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, as bishop of Crookston. The Vatican also announced today that the Pope accepted the resignation, submitted for reasons of age, of Bishop Victor Herman Balke, 76, of Crookston. Michael Hoeppner was born in Winona in 1949 and ordained a priest in […]

Eucharist at Heart of Activities
Five hundred missionaries are planning to put “Jesus in the Center” of Rome and invite people to experience the joy of Christianity.
From today till Oct. 7, missionaries ranging in age from 16 to 35 will be visiting schools, retirement centers, hospitals and Churches, “to try to communicate Jesus’ love,” Monsignor Mauro […]

The nation’s largest Catholic civil rights group urged a national boycott of Miller Brewing Co. Thursday for its sponsorship of a San Francisco street fair.The Catholic League is upset over Miller’s ties to a fair promoted in an ad that shows semi-nude men and women in bondage at a table with sex toys portraying Leonardo […]

Today’s celebration honors a lay person from the Philippines, St. Lawrence Ruiz, and his fifteen companions. These sixteen martyrs were killed for their faith in 1637, in Nagasaki, Japan. Born in Manila, St. Lorenzo was the father of a family. He joined the Dominican priests, brothers and lay volunteers who were going to Japan to […]

Catholics Struggle With Conflicts in Law
The patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church says that the contradiction in the legal system embodied in the Egyptian Constitution makes life difficult for the faithful.
Patriarch Antonios Naguib explained the difficulties of the Egyptian legal situation to the Germany-based group Aid to the Church in Need.
The patriarch said that on […]

Letter on 1962 Missal Causes Skirmish
By Elizabeth Lev
After the sunny skies of August, storm clouds appeared this week in Rome as Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter “Summorum Pontificum” came into effect Sept. 14.
For those who have been sleeping under a liturgical rock this summer, the July 7 papal document, issued “motu proprio” (on his own initiative), […]

Members of Canadian Sect
Six women religious were excommunicated in Arkansas for their involvement in the schismatic association Army of Mary, based in Quebec.
The diocesan newspaper The Arkansas Catholic said that it is believed to be the first time anyone in the Diocese of Little Rock has been formally excommunicated.
“It is a painfully historic moment in […]

In the city of Gomez Palcio located in the northern Mexican state of Durango, the second annual Medical Mission was held from May 21-25, spearheaded by a group of seven Americans that came from the SSPX’s chapels in Philadelphia, Phoenix, El Paso and North Carolina who joined up with a fellow group from SSPX’s chapels […]

“If our life was not under Mary’s protection, we might tremble for our perseverance and our salvation.”  (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

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Yesterday evening in the Swiss Hall of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, Benedict XVI attended a concert by the “Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli” International Festival Orchestra of Brescia and Bergamo, Italy. The event was organized to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Pope Paul VI who was a native of the town of Concesio […]

Today the Holy Father met with Latin-rite prelates of the Ukrainian Episcopal Conference who have just completed their “ad limina” visit.
  In his talk to the bishops, the Pope expressed his appreciation for “the catechetical, liturgical, apostolic and charitable activities” in their dioceses. “Your pastoral work,” he said, “is undertaken in a territory in which […]

Vincent, the son of poor French peasants, was born in 1581. When he grew up and became famous, he loved to tell people how he had taken care of his father’s pigs. Because he was intelligent, his father sent him to school. And after finishing his studies, Vincent became a priest.
At first, he was given […]

Note Prevailing Contradictions in American Society
As U.S. dioceses prepare for Respect Life Sunday, Cardinal Justin Rigali urged Catholics to seek and spread the truth.
On Oct. 7, Catholics in the United States will mark the annual day dedicated to praying for and promoting a culture of life. It is held the first Sunday of October.
Cardinal Rigali, […]

Benedict XVI named Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, to the Congregation for Bishops. The Vatican announced today the appointment of the 72-year-old prelate. Among its duties, the dicastery helps oversee the appointments of bishops. It conducts background investigations and makes recommendations to the Holy Father. Justin Rigali was ordained a priest in Los Angeles […]

People of faith and conscience from some 80 cities in 33 states are launching the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in American history, said the 40 Days for Life campaign director.
David Bereit said this about 40 Days for Life, a pro-life campaign that starts today, focusing on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils at […]

“All Are Brothers and Sisters With Equal Rights”
Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square. The reflection was a continuation of last week’s commentary on St. John Chrysostom.
* * *
Dear brothers and sisters,
We continue our reflection today on St. John Chrysostom. After his time […]

Interview With Postulator of Cause
News that relics of Pope John Paul II are for sale through the Internet is entirely false, says Monsignor Slawomir Oder, the postulator of the Pontiff’s cause of beatification.
The relics have been made available to the public for free, but the selling of religious objects is a sacrilegious act, the priest […]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who when the world was growing cold, in order that the hearts of men might burn anew with the fire of Your love, did in the flesh of the most blessed Francis reproduce the stigmata of Your passion: be mindful of his merits and prayers; and in Your mercy vouchsafe to […]

The Novena to St. Francis of Assisi begins Sept 26 through Oct 4.
NOVENA TO
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Glorious Saint Francis,
who voluntarily renounced
all the comforts and riches of your home
to follow more perfectly the life of poverty
and abnegation of Jesus Christ:
obtain for us,
we pray,
a generous contempt of all things in this world,
that we may secure the […]

A new museum featuring all the stamps and coins minted in Vatican City State since 1929 is open to the public. The Philatelic and Numismatic Museum of Vatican City State, located within the Vatican Museums, opened today. A section of sketches, printing plates, plaster models, bronze casts and other materials illustrating the various phases in […]

The Israeli government is no longer granting routine re-entry visas to Arab Christian religious leaders who wish to travel in and out of occupied Palestinian territories. According to information given to the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation by Christian clergy in Jerusalem, Christian church workers will now have to apply for re-entry visas at Israeli […]

Mother Superior Says Visionary Was Filled With Light
When Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone’s book about the last Fatima visionary was presented, guests got a chance to watch a video about Sister Lucia’s final moments, related by her Mother Superior.
At Friday’s presentation of “L’Ultima Veggente di Fatima” (The Last Fatima Visionary), written by the Pope’s secretary of state, […]

These two martyrs were twin brothers from Syria who lived in the fourth century. They were very famous students of science and both became excellent doctors. Cosmas and Damien saw in every patient a brother or sister in Christ. For this reason, they showed great charity to all and treated their patients to the best […]

This morning the opening ceremony was held for the new Philatelic and Numismatic Museum of Vatican City State, located within the Vatican Museums.
The new museum brings together all the stamps and coins minted in Vatican City State from 1929 to the present day. It includes a section containing sketches, printing plates, plaster models, […]

Here is the text of a commentary written by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the Pontifical Household, in response to an essay on religion and evolution written by Christopher Hitchens.
* * *
CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS AND THE END OF EVOLUTION
A few weeks ago an anonymous benefactor saw to it that I received a free Italian edition […]

On Friday October 5, with the title of “The Century of Martyrs and Religious Persecution in Spain (1934-1939),” an academic conference will be held in Rome to mark the beatification of 498 Spanish martyrs of the 20th century. The beatification ceremony itself is due to be held on October 28.
According to a communique […]

This famous Russian saint lived in the fourteenth century. He was given the name of Bartholomew when he was baptized. He was not as bright as his two brothers, but he did learn to read and write. This made him very happy because he greatly desired to read the Bible. Bartholomew’s parents were nobles. While […]

U.S. bishops say that an attempt to protect their country against terrorists has gone awry due to misinterpretation of language — and that true refugees are the victims.
Bishop Thomas Wenski, a consultant to the episcopal Committee on Migration and chairman of the Committee on International Policy, gave testimony last week before the Human Rights and […]

Addresses Visiting Bishops From Ukraine
Benedict XVI affirmed that Eastern and Roman Catholics are united in forming one Church.
The Pope said this today when receiving in audience the bishops of the Latin rite of Ukraine, in Italy for their five-yearly visit and accompanied by Greek-Catholic bishops from that country. They visited Benedict XVI at the papal […]

Debate Continues Over Euthanasia
By Father John Flynn, L.C.
The issue of euthanasia came to the forefront of news again recently, with the publication of a note Sept. 14 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The statement, written in reply to questions sent to the Vatican by U. S. bishops, stipulated that providing nutrition […]

Cardinal William Keeler celebrated his last public Mass as archbishop of Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Benedict XVI accepted Cardinal Keeler’s retirement for reasons of age in July, and named Archbishop Edwin O’Brien as his successor. Archbishop O’Brien, who previously led the military ordinariate, will be formally installed Oct. 1.  Cardinal Keeler, […]

In his first public statement after his episcopal ordination Friday, Archbishop Joseph Li Shan said, “I want to thank the Pope.” Archbishop Li began his ministry in the ancient Saint-Savior Church, saying that he wanted to visit all the parishes and meet the faithful of the archdiocese, Asia News reported. The archbishop also said in […]

Book Quotes Sister Lucia
There is no fourth secret of Fatima and the third secret in its entirety has already been revealed, says Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
This was confirmed Friday at the official presentation of Cardinal Bertone’s book, “L’Ultima Veggente di Fatima,” (The Last Fatima Visionary). The Pope’s secretary of state wrote the book, released in Italian […]

Says They Are Called To Know Christ Deeply
The prayer of a bishop is not only a commitment, but a necessity, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this upon receiving in audience at Castel Gandolfo on Saturday the participants of a meeting of recently ordained bishops.
The Holy Father spoke to the 112 prelates, all of whom were […]

A little Italian boy born in 1653 was named Charles Anthony. He was just five years old when his loving parents died. He was sent to live with his uncle. This uncle was a cross, mean man. He treated Charles worse than a servant. Yet the boy took this hard treatment quietly and patiently. When […]

All the months and years seem to flow to this central point.
First awakenings of spiritual life long past.
A path set out upon long walked now.
So many miles of a journey ahead.
And yet no map to follow.
No well-written plan to look at.
Only a small still voice within.
The Spirit moving in the depths of the soul.
A gentle […]

Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today when receiving in audience Saturday morning participants in the meeting of recently ordained bishops. The audience took place at Castel Gandolfo.
* * *
Dearest brothers in the episcopate,
It has become a custom in the last few years for recently nominated bishops to come together to […]

Archbishop of Southwark Releases Decision
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith denied approval of the statues of the Community of the Divine Innocence, reports the Archdiocese of Southwark.
Archbishop Kevin McDonald released a statement Friday reporting the decision of the doctrinal congregation, along with the note issued by the dicastery entitled “Observations of the Congregation […]

Reflects on Parable of Dishonest Steward
VELLETRI, Italy, SEPT. 23, 2007, (Zenit.org).- Christ makes his followers rich with his poverty, Benedict XVI said in two reflections on the parable of the dishonest steward.
The Pope made a brief pastoral visit today to the suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni, the titular see to which he was appointed as cardinal […]

Aide Surveys Pope’s Green Streak
Benedict XVI is concerned about the future of the planet, according to the Vatican spokesman.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said this during the most recent edition of the Vatican Television program “Octava Dies.” The Vatican spokesman was commenting on the Holy Father’s recent statements on safeguarding creation.
“Various times during his pontificate,” said […]

Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave this morning during a Mass celebrated in the plaza of the Cathedral of San Clement, on the occasion of the Pope’s brief pastoral visit to the suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni, some 25 miles southeast of Rome.
* * *
Dear brothers and sisters!
I have returned with great […]

United States Publishes Annual Survey
By Father John Flynn, L.C.
There has been progress toward reducing religious persecution and discrimination in the world, according to the latest annual report from the U.S. State Department.
The “2007 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom” was published Sept. 14. The 800-page report covers the 12-month period up to June 30, 2007.
During […]

By Dorothy Day
The Catholic Worker, October 1949, 4,6.
Summary: (DOC #165) Reviews Dom Remhert Sorg’s, O.S.B. pamphlet “Towards a Benediction Theology of Manual Labor.” Discusses the traditional views of labor from both a philosophical and theological outlook, particularly that of the Egyptian Monks. Also mentions other writers who have contributed to a philosophy of labor.
We […]

The truth behind the conspiracy theory
By Joseph Ferrara
Catholic Newswire’s April 1991

The apocalyptic turmoil and destruction resulting from the Persian Gulf War is being harnessed by self-styled Globalists to hasten the founding of a One-World government.  President Bush has given his personal endorsement of such a World Parliament by calling for the early formation of a […]

Thecla was a beautiful young pagan noblewoman who lived in the first century. She was from the city of Iconium, in Turkey. She read many philosophy books, yet nothing satisfied her desire to know about her Creator. When St. Paul the apostle came to preach the Gospel of Jesus in Iconium, Thecla’s prayer to know […]

The men and women who neglect every effort to improve their souls and assert that they are happy anyway are merely lying to us and to themselves. Their despair may be invisible, as yet, but it is latent and it is real. Let a crisis come upon such people, and the distress they concealed is […]

Boston Prelates Lead Faithful to Rome, Istanbul
Going on a pilgrimage with an ecumenical group helps Christians draw closer together as they draw closer to God, says an organizer of the 2007 Boston Orthodox-Catholic Pilgrimage.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, and Metropolitan Methodios, the Greek Orthodox  leader of Boston, are leading 100 pilgrims this month on […]

“I Enjoy the Right to Comment on Proposed Laws”
Here is a statement written by Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, in which he welcomes a report clearing him of contempt of Parliament.
Cardinal Pell was referred to the Privileges Committee of the New South Wales Legislative Council for comments he made during the debate on the […]

Father Rosmini’s Writings Were Condemned
The beatification of a 19th-century priest whose writings were once condemned by the Holy Office will take place in Novara this fall.
Father Antonio Rosmini, a theologian and philosopher, will be beatified Nov. 18 by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.
Some of his works were condemned because […]

Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, on the readings from this Sunday’s liturgy.
* * *
Make friends with wealth
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13
This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with a parable that in certain respects has important contemporary relevance: the parable […]

Thomas was born in Spain in 1488. From his kind parents, he learned to be very charitable with the poor. He did well in school and became a teacher of philosophy when he finished his studies. Next he joined the Augustinian order. After he became a priest, he was given many important responsibilities. Finally, he […]

Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Kosinets said that all foreign Catholic priests would be banned from the country over the next few years. Of the roughly 350 Catholic priests in the country, the majority are foreign and almost all of those are Polish. Belarus has been targeting foreign Catholics since last year, deporting all those […]

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz Returns to Belarus
Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, who has led the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow for 16 years, as archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev, in Belarus.
“I am going home,” the Belarus native told Vatican Radio today after the appointment had been announced.
The Vatican also announced that Father Paolo Pezzi, of […]

Benedict XVI’s move to make the older form of the Mass more available “is not a step backward,” according to Cardinal George Pell. The archbishop of Sydney said this during a press conference earlier in the week on the preparations for World Youth Day 2008. “I agree with Benedict XVI on this subject,” he said. […]

Father Lang Comments on
The statement asserting that the priest celebrating the older form of the Mass has “his back to the people” misses the point, says Father Uwe Michael Lang.
The posture “ad orientem,” or “facing east,” is about having a common direction of liturgical prayer, he adds.
Father Lang of the London Oratory, and recently appointed […]