We continue our series of occasional articles on the history and spirituality of the Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholic Churches. Our hope is to deepen our understanding of the ties that bind us, and to slowly “build bridges” that may, at some future time, allow closer relations, and perhaps even full reunion, among our Churches. In that [...]
Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome “The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue, will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist [...]
In a seemingly “orphaned” world there is hope for a “contagious motherhood” that brings acceptance, tenderness and forgiveness. During Mass at Santa Marta on Tuesday, 15 September, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, in the presence of the Council of Cardinals, Pope Francis reflected on the motherhood of Mary and of the Church which, without [...]
“Everything is there in the ‘littleness’”. In the Mass at Santa Marta on Tuesday morning, 8 September, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Pope Francis focused on the manner of God, who acts in small ways but opens vast horizons for us. Referring to the text of the Collect recited moments before, which asked the [...]
November 24, 2014, Monday — The Pope and Mary: 30 Minutes of Silent Prayer A few moments ago, on the afternoon of Monday, November 24, in Rome, Pope Francis prayed silently for half an hour before an ancient and important icon of the Virgin Mary. The Pope was praying before the icon this evening because tomorrow [...]
March 11, 2013, Monday -- Alpha and Omega "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω) —the name of Jesus in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). "I said to my soul, be still, and let the dark come upon you Which shall be the darkness of [...]
