Father Cantalamessa on the Virtue of Chastity
Those unable to say no to themselves in sin, will not be able to say yes to their neighbor in love, says Father Raniero Cantalamessa.Capuchin Father Cantalamessa, Pontifical Household preacher, said this in the first Advent sermon delivered Friday in the presence of Benedict XVI and members of the […]

The Holy See announced the discovery of a design for the cupola of the Basilica of St. Peter’s presumed to have been drawn by Michelangelo. A statement sent Friday reported that the design would be presented today to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, president of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the office in charge of construction matters […]

Teddy Bear Theology

December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Fate of Christians in Islamic Countries
By Father John Flynn, LCA reminder of the problems for Christian minorities in Islamic countries came recently with the case of a British school teacher jailed in Sudan. Gillian Gibbons ran into trouble when she allowed her students to name a teddy bear after the Prophet Mohammed, reported the […]

Here is a translation of the first Advent sermon delivered Friday by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Pontifical Household preacher, in the presence of Benedict XVI and members of the Roman Curia in preparation for Christmas.* * *
1. The Third Quest
“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; […]

On the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Benedict XVI presented Mary as the guide toward peace.During his visit Saturday to the image of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s Piazza de Spagna, the Pope proclaimed a “message of light and hope” to humanity.
After having been welcomed by the applause and cheers of the rain-soaked crowd of […]

Scandal of Late-Term Abortion
By Father John Flynn, LCOnce again questionable practices at abortion clinics have made the headlines. In Spain authorities are investigating four clinics after accusations they carried out abortions beyond the legal time limit, reported London’s Times newspaper, Nov. 30.
The Barcelona clinics were frequently used by British women according to the article, and […]

Gospel Commentary for 2nd Sunday of Advent
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM CapIn the Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent Jesus does not speak directly to us but his precursor, John the Baptist. The heart of the baptist’s preaching is contained in that phrase of Isaiah that he powerfully repeats to his contemporaries: “The voice […]

15 Let the monks ever bear in mind that the chastity they professed for the sake of the kingdom of heaven is to be valued as a gift of grace of surpassing worth. For it frees their hearts in a particular way, enabling them to cling more easily to God with undivided love, and in […]