#2 Father Jean-Marc Fournier A Catholic priest in Paris, France “We Need Tangible Signs of Faith” Every year since 1803, even during the Nazi occupation, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has held a Christmas Mass — except for this Christmas, because of the historic fire that ravished the Cathedral in April 2019. The fire of Notre [...]
Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi, while the Eastern Churches commemorate the Baptism of Christ, where the Father and the Holy Spirit give combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12 Homily starter anecdote “Because you never know what’s going [...]
This Sunday, Pope Francis reflects on the Feast of the Holy Family and how St Luke’s Gospel describes the presentation of Jesus in the Temple Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! On this first Sunday after Christmas, we celebrate the Holy Family of Nazareth, and the Gospel invites us to reflect on the experience lived by [...]
At the Angelus on St Stephen's Day, Pope Francis said that Christ’s coming into the world means we must “convert” and change our way of thinking. Pope Francis said that Christ’s coming into the world means we must “convert” and change our way of thinking. The Holy Father was speaking ahead of the Angelus on Tuesday. In Italy, and [...]
In his homily at Christmas Mass “During the Night” in St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope reflects on how, with the birth of Jesus, everything becomes a source of hope The Christmas story is retold every year with all the places, people and themes we know so well: the stable, the shepherds, the birth. But perhaps the [...]
On the Third Sunday of Advent - called "Gaudete Sunday" in reference to the introit traditionally sung at the Mass of the day, which begins, "Gaudete in Domino semper", Pope Francis prayed the traditional Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, beneath the window of the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. We bring [...]
· the General Audience the Pontiff begins a new series of reflections dedicated to hope and asks that no one be excluded from the recognition of human rights · “Hope is the virtue of the little ones”, because “the great ones ... do not know what it is”. Thus, Christian hope is the focal point of the [...]
Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! In these days of Christmas the Child Jesus is placed before us. I am certain that in our homes many families still have a nativity scene arranged, continuing this beautiful tradition brought about by St Francis of Assisi which keeps alive in our hearts the mystery of God who became man. [...]
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! How well these young people sing! How talented! [commenting on the young people singing Christmas songs in the Square] In the climate of joy that it is Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family this Sunday. I think back to the great meeting in Philadelphia, last September; the [...]
December 25, 2015, Friday -- Pope's Christmas Message: Peace "Let us allow tears of repentance to fill our eyes and cleanse our hearts."—Pope Francis, today in Rome, as part of his Christmas Day message, delivered "Urbi et Orbi," that is, literally, "To the City (Rome) and to the world," from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica [...]
