Holy See Also Discloses Details on Tonights Youth Gathering Ahead of Canonizations

Vatican City, April 22, 2014 (Zenit.org)

The Holy See hosted a press briefing today with the postulators for the causes of Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II. The briefing was the first in a series of press conferences to be held this week as part of the lead up to Sunday’s canonizations.

Msgr. Walter Insero, head of the Office for Social Communications for the Vicariate of Rome, opened the briefing by giving details of this evening’s youth gathering at Saint John Lateran Basilica. The event is entitled L’eredita’ dei santi (Legacy of the Saints), a phrase taken from 1 Ephesians 1:18.

Fr. Giovangiuseppe Califano, O.F.M. and Msgr. Slawomir Oder, postulators for John XXIII and John Paul II respectively, will offer their testimony. The liturgy of the Word will be presided over by Bishop Matteo Zuppi, auxiliary bishop of Rome.

Speaking to the press, Fr. Califano offered his reflections on Blessed John XXII and some aspects of his life which were considered in his cause for sainthood.

When we think of John XXIII the images that are evoked are those of humility, generosity, authentic joy, he said (per the translation of Fr Dorantes). Read more →

Vatican City, April 13, 2014 (Zenit.org)

This week begins with the festive procession of olive branches: the whole people welcome Jesus. The children, the young people sing, they praise Jesus.

But this week then moves forward into the mystery of the death of Jesus and of his resurrection. We have heard the Passion of the Lord. We will do well to pose just a single question: Who am I? Who am I before my Lord? Who am I before Jesus who enters into Jerusalem? Am I capable of expressing my joy, of praising him? Or do I distance myself from him? Who am I before Jesus who suffers?

We have heard many names, many names. The group of leaders, some priests, some Pharisees, some teachers of the Law, who have decided to kill him. They waited for the opportunity to seize him. Am I like one of them?

We have also heard another name: Judas. 30 pieces of silver. Am I like Judas? We heard other names: the disciples who understood nothing, who slept while the Lord suffered. Do I sleep through my life? Or am I like the disciples, who did not understand what it meant to betray Jesus? Am I like that other disciple who wanted to resolve everything with the sword? Am I like them? Am I like Judas, who pretends to lover and kissed the Master to hand him over, to betray him? Am I a traitor? Am I like the leaders who hastily put together the tribunal and look for false witnesses? Am I like them? And when I do these things, if I do them, do I believe that I save the people in this way? Read more →

One May Wonder Where So Many Faithful Flock Each Morning

Vatican City, April 07, 2014 (Zenit.org)

It is evident that Catholics are acknowledging Lent in various ways throughout the Eternal City. However, some may not realize that there is a particular Lenten tradition in which English-speakers have been participating.

The Pontifical North American College has been following the tradition of the Roman station churches. Information about the station churches, including the the history of Roman stational liturgy history, the schedule, times, and history of the churches themselves, can be found on PNAC’s website.

This Roman tradition dates back almost back to the start of Christianity. It started with the pope celebrating Mass every day of Lent at a different church in Rome. The objective was to bring more unity within the city and its different churches. Read more →

Adam and Eve and the Innkeeper

I never thought about it this way but Susan Stabile offers a guest post about the only two great sins – the sin of Adam and Eve and the sin of the Innkeeper – and that all other sins are a manifestation of these two.

She writes… In Freedom and Forgiveness: A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Fr. Paul Farren suggests that just as there are two great commandments, there are only two great sins – the sin of Adam and Eve and the sin of the Innkeeper – and that all other sins are a manifestation of these two. He describes the sin of Adam and Eve as wanting to be God and not allowing God to be God. The sin may be manifest in many ways, but always involves a failure to accept ourselves as the loved creation of God. Farren describes the sin of the Innkeeper as not having space for the poor and those who are in need, failing to live as a community of love, a community of people in relationship.

Read more →

Some Ideas for Sacrifice This Season

Atchison, Kansas, March 04, 2014 (Zenit.org) Tom Hoopes

We are fast approaching Ash Wednesday, and it is time to start planning your Lenten fast.

Lent is about recommitting to prayer, fasting so as to make room for God and almsgiving to relearn self-giving love — and for many of us, the biggest obstacle to prayer is social media, the biggest time-waster (and stressor) is our phone and computer, and the location of our frivolous, self-centered spending has moved online.

So as so many Catholics gear up to turn off Facebook for Lent here are some more nuanced ideas for what to give up for Lent (as previously published at Catholic Vote).

  Read more →