Panettone translates as “a large loaf of bread.” Actually, it’s a large sweet bready cake with various creamy fillings, raisins and candied fruits; its dome is covered with toppings of different flavors. Panettone’s origins probably date back to the Roman Empire: ancient Romans sweetened a type of leavened cake with honey. During the Renaissance, it became [...]
NOVEMBER SUNDAY 1 The Path of the Beatitudes The beatitudes are the most direct path toward happiness and holiness, Pope Francis said during Mass on All Saints’ Day. He urged the congregation to imitate Jesus in walking the difficult, yet rewarding, road to heaven. The Pope said the beatitudes make up “the path of holiness, and [...]
How is the Church, as St. Paul says in Ephesians, the fullness of Christ? A thoughtful reflection on the deeper meaning of the events we are now celebrating “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth… And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:14, 16) [...]
On a visit to New York just before Christmas, our Art Editor Lucy Gordan visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and spoke with European Sculpture Curator Dr. Wolfram Koeppe. Dr. Koeppe, what exactly is your position at the Museum and how long have you worked here? Dr. Wolfram Koeppe: My title is Marina Kellen French Curator [...]
Meister Bertram von Minden (1345-1415), "The Creation of Adam and Eve," panel from Grabow Altarpiece, now in the Kunsthalle in Hamburg, Germany Love, marriage, sacrifice, procreation: a reflection on the deep meaning of human love and marriage Many schools and universities pride themselves to have finally acknowledged that the difference between man and animals [...]
German officers who had become prisoners of war Did the Vatican actually help Nazi criminals “on the run” at the end of the Second World War? An Italian scholar points to another “protector” Among the accusations directly or indirectly targeting Pius XII and the Church of his time, is the one that he and [...]
Bavarian bishops walk in procession to the Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers near Bad Staffelstein, Germany (CNS photo/Daniel Karmann, EPA) On November 20, noting that only 10 percent of German Catholics attend Mass every Sunday, Pope Francis said: “One can truly speak of an erosion of the Catholic faith in Germany” Pope Francis [...]
Clergy process at the start of the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops for Africa in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 25. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Oct. 26, 2009) Pope Francis traveled to Africa November 25-30, bringing a message of hope and reconciliation to three nations which continue to experience exploitation, violence, [...]
Letter from a longtime Vatican Watcher Hope you are well! Thank you for the splendid commentaries you have been sending forth on the Synod. I’m not an ombudsman, but several friends have commented that your writing is the sanest and most godly that is coming from the press. I particularly appreciated your recommendation that the Church [...]
Cardinal Robert Sarah’s boldness in proclaiming the Gospel and resisting the Zeitgeist is a prophetic witness reminiscent of a 5th century North African Pope who laid the foundations for healthy church-state relations, Archbishop George Gänswein has said. In a well-received speech in Rome Nov. 20 at the launch of the German edition of the book God or [...]
