Raissa and Jacques Maritain and the New Evangelization
“The Church has sanctified extreme passions, blessed the frenzied, acclaimed the neurosis it had previously canalized and nothing, it seemed, could stop me at its door. Nothing.”
Summer’s here and now is the time to Make Today Count
Summer is under way and it’s time for road trips. Whether it is a short trip from a small town to a big city for the weekend, a coast-to-coast marathon to see Canada in an over-packed car or a backpacking Euro-rail adventure, a road trip is often an adventure — and maybe even a first step in finding our own unique life path.
Jesus offers no free pass
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 25 (Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30)
The concept of a universal God was not a New Testament invention. The vision of the inclusion of other peoples and nations in God’s plan of salvation was firmly embedded in the third portion of the Book of Isaiah. The sojourn in Babylon had stretched the intellectual and spiritual horizons of Israel’s people. They encountered other belief systems and cultures more directly than in the past. Even in foreign captivity they saw God at work and their release from captivity was a gift of Cyrus the new Persian ruler, designated God’s anointed in Isaiah.
Soccer stars help launch Pontifical Academy of Sciences' school project
VATICAN CITY - Immediately after meeting Pope Francis, Gianluigi Buffon, captain of the Italian national soccer team, and Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina's team, lent their hands -- actually just a finger -- to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
His Holiness, the soccer fan, asks players to be real role models
VATICAN CITY - With admiration and big smiles all around, the lifelong soccer fan Pope Francis met the star players and coaches of the Argentine and Italian national soccer teams hoping to compete for the World Cup in 2014.
Pope asks people to consider what they desire most
VATICAN CITY - Yearning and loving give people the strength to move forward and overcome obstacles, but Christians must ask themselves what really is their hearts' desire, Pope Francis said.
Pope to parents: Teach your children to respect, defend human life
VATICAN CITY - Respect for human life from conception until natural death is something children must be taught, not mainly with words, but by the example of their parents, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis discovers charismatic movement a gift to the whole church
VATICAN CITY - During World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, July 23-28, many worshippers in the crowds could be seen swaying from side to side, arms raised in the air, wearing rapt or joyous expressions on their faces.
Before electing Pope Francis, cardinals heard plea for unity, holiness
VATICAN CITY - The last formal exhortation to the 115 cardinals who elected Pope Francis in March included reminders of the importance of presenting the Catholic faith in its entirety, the need to recognize the errors of Church members and the need for unity within the Catholic community.
Like Jesus, we all have to do the heavy lifting
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 18 (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53)
Faith seen anew in the eyes of Jerusalem
I’ve just returned home from Jerusalem, mind and heart overflowing. Of many illuminating experiences requiring reflection and expression, I begin with my visit to Calvary.