FAITH/STORIES
God triumphs through humility
God’s ‘style’ is not man’s ‘style,’ because God triumphs through humility. That was Pope Francis’ message in his homily during daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
God’s style can be seen in the death of the greatest of the prophets, St John the Baptist. This “just and holy man,” the “greatest man,” the man who had prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah, was beheaded in the darkness of his cell, alone, condemned by the vindictive hatred of a queen and the cowardice of a submissive king.
The Faith is the greatest inheritance we can leave
The most beautiful inheritance we can leave to others is the Faith: that was Pope Francis’ message during Holy Mass on Thursday morning at the Casa Santa Marta. In his homily, he invited us to not fear death, because the course of life continues.
Pope asks Mexican people for time alone with Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - In a video message one week before his apostolic visit, Pope Francis asked the people of Mexico for some time alone during his visit to pray before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
God wants to save you; will you let him, Pope asks
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - God doesn't want to condemn anyone; he wants to save every person in the entire world, Pope Francis said.
Vatican downplays film promo, says Pope will not have movie debut
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will not be an actor in a proposed movie based on the Gospels, a Vatican spokesman said.
Cardinal confirms some priests decline appointment as bishop
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Although the number is not high, it is no longer "exceptional" to have priests turn down an appointment as bishop, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Humility, holiness come with humiliation
Pope Francis’ Homily at Daily Mass – February 1, 2016
Humility, holiness come with humiliation
Humility is the way of holiness. That’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope focused on the story of King David who, aware of his own sin, accepts humiliation in a spirit of trust in the Lord. While God forgives sin, the Pope observed, “the wounds of corruption are difficult to heal."
Interpreting the Bible through nuance
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Chances are you’ve never heard a homily preached on Deuteronomy 20:10-18. It’s kind of difficult to apply these God-given rules of war to daily life in the 21st century.
So many get it so wrong
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterWhen it comes to misreading the lectionary on Sunday morning, there’s lots of ways of going wrong.
Pope Francis: World’s powerful are ‘slaves to sin’ who risk hell by ignoring the poor
By David Gibson, Religion News ServicePope Francis is taking direct aim at the wealthy and powerful of the world, saying in his message for Lent that they are often “slaves to sin” who, if they ignore the poor, “will end up condemning themselves and plunging into the eternal abyss of solitude which is hell.”
Pope tells Iran's president he has 'high hopes' for peace
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican, Pope Francis told him he had high hopes for peace.
Christianity 'running on fumes,' U.S. bishop tells eucharistic congress
By Simone Orendain, Catholic News ServiceCEBU, Philippines - Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron said popular culture's message of individuals being "infinitely right" is "repugnant to (Catholics') eucharistic faith." But he also said Christianity is "running on fumes" as it tries to counter the trend of people leaving the church or staying away from the Eucharist.
Live your faith during Lent, perform works of mercy
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Lent is a time of conversion and a time to deepen one's faith, demonstrating and sharing it through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, Pope Francis said.