Five wounds of Christ: Pope urges recovery of traditional devotion
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Pope Francis seems to be fixated on the wounds of Christ. And he has suggested that other Catholics might want to be as well.
Present in the Eucharist, Jesus transforms those who receive him, Pope says
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Despite the chill and gusts of wind in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis welcomed the beginning of spring with an impromptu lesson about gardening and how to grow into being better Christians.
Robert Kinghorn: Young evangelists heed cries of the poor
By Robert KinghornRecently I found myself in the basement of a downtown church surrounded by a confirmation class of children, teachers and parents. The church sits in an area where the outreach of the Church on the Street is most challenging, and the class had responded to the call of Pope Francis in The Joy of the Gospel: “We cannot passively and calmly wait in our church buildings; we need to move from a passive ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral mission.”
The crucifix is for contemplation, not decoration, says Pope
By Catholic News Agency
VATICAN – On Sunday Pope Francis said that the crucifix is not just something decorative to hang on the wall or wear, it is an important sign of our beliefs – and should be truly looked at and prayed before as the source of our salvation.
Pope Francis: How many people go beyond the mindless recitation of the Lord's Prayer?
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Forgiving those who have caused pain or offense is not easy, Pope Francis said.
Salvation of souls the primary purpose of pastoral care, Doctrine of Faith prefect says
By Catholic News Agency
VATICAN – Promoting and defending Catholic teaching is itself a pastoral practice, said Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Confessors should seek to bring penitents closer to Jesus, Pope says
By Catholic News Service
By truly listening to the penitent during confession, "we listen to Jesus himself, poor and humble; by listening to the Holy Spirit, we put ourselves in attentive obedience, becoming listeners of the Word" in order to know what God wants to be done, he said.
Mary Marrocco: Lent is an opportunity to go beyond the noise
By Mary MarroccoWhat’s the best way to wake a sleeper? Throw cold water? Tickle the feet or play loud music?
Don't hold grudges; forgiveness comes from forgiving others, Pope says
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Christians must let go of resentments and forgive those who have wronged them so that they may experience God's forgiveness, Pope Francis.
Pope adds feast of Mary, Mother of the Church to universal calendar
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN – Pope Francis has decreed that Latin-rite Catholics around the world will mark the feast of "the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church" on the Monday after Pentecost each year.
The soul is God's temple, not your own, Pope warns
By Catholic News Agency
VATICAN – Like Jesus cast out the merchants from the temple in Jerusalem, we should drive the desire for personal gain and advantage from our hearts, replacing it with love, Pope Francis said Sunday.