Arts
Pius XII book earns honour for King’s prof Ventresca
A Canadian has captured the first ever American Catholic Historical Association prize for biography.
Bob Carson’s dream comes true
TORONTO - Being the crossword puzzle guy in a prison means you are never without friends. You become the go-to person when someone is stumped.
Soup’s On to support children’s charities
TORONTO - As a food columnist for 22 years at Canada’s largest newspaper, Catholic writer Mary McGrath tasted a lot of soup. Now she’s serving up her favourite recipes in a book to support children’s charities.
Purging of Christians well underway in Egypt
In Michael Coren’s new book, Hatred: Islam’s War on Christianity, The Catholic Register’s award-winning columnist examines the relationship between Islam and Christianity and minces no words in decrying widespread Christian persecution. Here is an excerpt from his book.
Christ as the centre of life
Soul of Christ: Meditations on a Timeless Prayer, Sr. Marie Paul Curley (Pauline Books & Media, 161 pages, $17.50).
Your relationship with Christ is not just for Sunday, says Sr. Marie Paul Curley.
Singing nun covers Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’
ROME - Italy’s singing nun Sr. Cristina Scuccia, who became a global sensation after winning a TV reality show, has chosen Madonna’s controversial hit “Like a Virgin” as the first single from her debut album.
You gotta eat here
VATICAN CITY - They say you can feast like a king, and now you can eat like a pope after a young chef from the Vatican’s Swiss Guards published a cookbook featuring the favourite recipes of Pope Francis and his predecessors.
Ecologist finds God in all creation
Fr. John McCarthy has a love of nature that goes back to his early childhood. When he joined the Jesuits, his novice master recognized that his interest in the natural world was profound and encouraged him to make time for it in his priestly life. He has and on a grand scale.
Melendez strums a message of hope
TORONTO - Armless guitarist Tony Melendez wants audiences to walk away from his performances with hope.
A view from the Old Testament needed to understand Jesus
Burn your self-help books and follow the Divine Word to be happy, says Fr. Robert Barron in his new six-part study program Priest, Prophet, King.
Padre Pio sculpture calls us to Confession
On a trip to Italy 11 months ago Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz discovered the nation’s love for St. Padre Pio. Creator of the acclaimed Jesus the Homeless sculpture, Schmalz was soon inspired to create a work of art to honour the Italian saint.
Catholic music is a rocking success story
Under blue skies, dressed in black, stand the members of Christian band Darkness Divided. In the serenity of a forest clearing, the band members’ hands are stretched straight up, revealing streams of thick, dark blood pouring from wounds artificially created on their open palms. In the background, lyrics suggestive of Christ’s crucifixion are belted out supported by the severe guitar and drum sounds typical of a metalcore band. This is a scene from “The Hands that Bled,” a single off the band’s newly released album, Written in Blood.