In light of the debates at the Synod on the Family in Rome, it is relevant to reflect on marriage from an African Christian perspective at a time when many Catholic homosexuals are suffering due to disagreement on their place in the Church.
In the Catholic Church I found solid ground
By K. Albert LittleThis Easter I became a Catholic.
What was a long and sometimes circuitous journey culminated, in a way, at the Easter Vigil as I was confirmed, received into the Church and shared in the eucharistic celebration.
Still astonishing good news 2,000 years later
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialThrough the powerful Scripture readings of the Triduum, and especially the Gospels of the Easter Vigil and Easter morning, we catch glimpses of the profound meaning of the Paschal mystery. How can we give expression to the conquest of death and the harrowing of hell? We must honestly admit to ourselves that we have no words.
Who am I on the Via Dolorosa?
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialThis year on Palm Sunday, we listen attentively to Mark’s Passion story of Jesus’ final days and hours on Earth — a story of striking contrasts. In Mark’s jarring story, we witness the anguish of Jesus who has been totally abandoned by friends and disciples. He is resigned to His fate. He makes no response to Judas when he betrays Him, nor to Pilate during His interrogation. In Mark, Pilate makes no effort to save Him, as the Roman procurator does in the other three Gospels.
The transforming light of Christ’s face
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialThe Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B) invites us to consider John’s Gospel story from Chapter 12 — a fitting climax to Jesus’ public ministry. It is the last official act before the events of His passion next Sunday.
The Spirit makes rebirth possible for us
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialThe Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Lent (Year B) features a nocturnal conversation between two important religious teachers: on the one hand a notable “teacher of Israel” named Nicodemus, and on the other, Jesus, whom Nicodemus calls a “teacher from God.”
Opening the hearts of the people
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialJohn’s account of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is in sharp contrast to the other Gospel accounts of this dramatic story. In the Synoptic Gospels, this scene takes place at the end of the “Palm Sunday Procession” into the holy city.
Before the light, there must be darkness
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, Catholic Register SpecialToday’s Old Testament and Gospel readings take place on two important biblical mountains — Mount Moriah and Mount Tabor. Both readings give us profound insights into our God and His Son, Jesus, our Saviour.
Windsorite taught us how to live the Bible
By Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSBWith the sudden death of my Basilian confrère Fr. Ulysse (Bud) Paré on March 25, many tributes and accolades will rightly be heaped upon him for his academic accomplishments, first at the University of Toronto, then at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute and at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. His many former students at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon, the University of Toronto, Assumption University in Windsor and most recently at St. Peter’s Seminary in London will fondly recall his clear, dynamic presentations on exegetical methods and hermeneutical interpretation of the Bible.
Make fasting prayer, almsgiving
By Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSPFor Catholics, the practice of fasting has by and large fallen off the screen, due in large measure to the minimalistic interpretation of what Church members are told “fasting” means: “Take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.”
Make this a year of prayer, patience
By Fr. Stan Chu IloSomeone asked me recently, “After the Year of Faith, what will be the Church’s theme in 2014? How does the Pope designate a theme for the year?”