hand and heart

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Conversion on the Way to Damascus, Caravaggio (c.1600-1). Paul knew all about God acting in unexpected ways. He encountered the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and was changed forever.

God's Word on Sunday: With God, expect the unexpected

Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C) April 3 (Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11)

God can and does act in surprising and even shocking ways and cannot be confined by dogmatic formulas or learned treatises. Did calling one individual — Abraham — and staking everything on his fidelity make sense? Who would have ever predicted or reasoned the burning bush, the plagues of Egypt, the exodus, the giving of the commandments on Sinai and the entrance into the Promised Land?

Pope Francis touches a Marian statue after consecrating the world and, in particular, Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis consecrates Ukraine, Russia to Mary

VATICAN CITY -- As Russia's violent monthlong invasion continued to devastate Ukraine, Pope Francis laid the fates of both countries at the feet of Mary in the hopes that peace would finally reign.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in is seen at the Vatican in this 2020 file photo. On March 19, 2022, Pope Francis promulgated the long-awaited constitution reorganizing the Roman Curia.

Changes to Curia constitution open positions to laity

VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting Pope Francis' new constitution on the Curia's organization.

God's Word on Sunday: God’s graces come in a timely fashion

God's Word on Sunday: God’s graces come in a timely fashion

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 27 (Year C) Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Corinthians 5:7-21; Luke 5:1-3, 22-32

The journey of the Israelites to the promised land should have taken a few months, but it stretched into 40 years.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, interim president of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Cardinal Czerny meets refugees in Slovakia, Ukraine

VATICAN CITY -- Continuing the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny visited Slovakia and a Ukrainian border town to convey the pope's closeness to victims of Russia's war against Ukraine.

This is an icon of Mary by Yulian Volyanyuk. The image is known as the “Pokrova” in many East European nations.

Marian icon comforts amid horror of war

As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia’s invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.

A sign in St. Peter's Square calls for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to Mary, before the start of Pope Francis' Angelus at the Vatican March 13, 2022. The Vatican said Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary March 25.

Pope Francis to consecrate Russia, Ukraine to Mary

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica March 25, the Vatican said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Eastern-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, attend an interreligious prayer service in the Latin-rite cathedral of Lviv, Ukraine, March 10, 2022.

Papal envoy sets off for besieged Ukrainian cities with 'Gospel weapons'

LVIV, Ukraine-- "I've come with the three most sophisticated Gospel weapons: prayer, fasting and alms," Cardinal Konrad Krajewski told reporters in Western Ukraine March 10 as he prepared to head toward Kyiv and other cities under Russian bombardment.

God's Word on Sunday: God is defined by His faithful presence

God's Word on Sunday: God is defined by His faithful presence

Third Sunday of Lent, March 20 (Year C) Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9

After his flight from Egypt, Moses had settled down to a quiet life as a shepherd, but God had other plans for him.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a news conference following talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Ruslan Kazakbayev, in Moscow March 5, 2022. Russian authorities released a statement March 8 saying that Lavrov spoke over the phone with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, about the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.

Vatican secretary of state speaks with Russian foreign minister

VATICAN CITY -- In a telephone call with Russia's foreign minister, the Vatican secretary of state "conveyed Pope Francis' deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine," the Vatican said.

People sort donations from Vatican employees for Ukraine outside the Governatorato, a building housing the Vatican's governing offices, at the Vatican March 7, 2022.

Vatican mobilizes humanitarian efforts to aid Ukraine

VATICAN CITY -- As the Russian military continues to bombard Ukraine, the Vatican is mobilizing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering.

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