HOMILY OF POPE BENEDICT XVI BEATIFICATION OF POPE JOHN PAUL II ST PETER’S SQUARE 1 MAY 2011 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Six years ago we gathered in this Square to celebrate the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Our grief at his loss was deep, but even greater was our sense of an immense grace […]
IN 1205 the glorious martyr Peter was born at Verona of heretical parents. He went to a Catholic school, and his Manichean uncle asked what he learnt. “The Creed,” answered Peter; “I believe in God, Creator of heaven and earth.” No persuasion could shake his faith, and at fifteen he received the habit from St. […]
ST. VITALIS was a citizen of Milan, and is said to have been the father of Sts. Gervasius and Protasius. The divine providence conducted him to Ravenna, where he saw a Christian named Ursicinus, who was condemned to lose his head for his faith, standing aghast at the sight of death, and seeming ready to […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31) God’s Divine Mercy Brings Freedom, Healing, and Transformation This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad (Psalm 118:24). Today is a day of double blessing. Not only […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-216-17,22-23; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9) Seeing Ourselves as Jesus Sees Us Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb (John 20:3). On this great feast of the Resurrection, let’s take a look at the first […]
CELEBRATION OF PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI St Peter’s Square 26th World Youth Day Sunday, 17 April 2011 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear young people! It is a moving experience each year on Palm Sunday as we go up the mountain with Jesus, towards the Temple, […]
ST. OPTATUS and seventeen other holy men received the crown of martyrdom on the same day, at Saragossa, under the cruel Governor Dacian, in the persecution of Diocletian, in 304. Two others, Caius and Crementius, died of their torments after a second conflict. The Church also celebrates on this day the triumph of St. Encratis, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14–27:66) Spending Time with Jesus during Holy Week Keep watch with me (Matthew 26:38). Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most significant week of the year. Everything that Jesus said and did while on earth was […]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are all painfully aware that there are many Catholics today who are living in cohabitation. The Church must make it clear to the faithful that these unions are not in accord with the Gospel, and to help Catholics who find themselves in these situations to do whatever they […]
Today we travel outside the walls (Fuori le Mura) of Rome to visit the Basilica of Saint Paul. This is one of the four major basilicas of Rome. Now known as a papal basilica, this was known as the patriarchal basilica associated with the ancient see of Alexandria. You may recall we visited another former […]
Today we visit the church of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Cosmas and Damian excelled in medicine and offered their services for free. During the Diocletian persecutions, they were arrested. Because they would not renounce their faith, they were tortured. They suffered no injury during an attempted drowning or when they were burned. Crucifixion did not […]
Today we visit San Sisto Vecchio, Saint Sixtus the Old. Named ‘the old’ because it is the oldest monastery in Rome. Twice throughout our Lenten Station pilgrimage I’ve mentioned the story of Saint Lawrence meeting up with Pope Saint Sixtus II while the Holy Father was headed towards his martyrdom. This church is built over […]
On my tours, I often ask the group to name the cathedral of Rome. Many know the correct answer is Saint John Lateran. Some, understandably, think that Saint Peter’s Basilica is the cathedral. Now, if I were to ask where is the first cathedral of Rome, what would you say? Before you answer, let’s take […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41) Allowing Jesus to Heal Our Spiritual Blindness I was blind and now I see (John 9:25) As you read about the blind man in this story, notice how the people viewed him initially. The disciples saw his blindness […]
Today we visit the basilica of San Marco. First dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, the church was later also dedicated to Pope Saint Mark, who once lived on this site. This is one of Rome’s oldest churches, built around the year 336. Known as Titulus Marci, this was one of the original twenty-five titular […]
As Lent progresses, we may find ourselves concentrated inward, often reflecting on the sacrifices or commitments that we have made on our Lenten journey thus far. We think about abstaining from meat on Fridays, about skipping dessert and about increasing our prayer life. All of these practices are an important part of maintaining discipline during […]
Today we visit the church of San Vitale, located on the bustling street of Via Nazionale. In the late fourth century a small chapel was built here to honor the martyrs Saint Gervase and Saint Protase. In the fifth century a wealthy woman named Vestina donated money to build a larger basilica and the church […]
Today we travel across the Tiber into the Trastevere neighborhood to visit the church of Santa Cecilia. At sixteen, Cecilia, a Christian, vowed to remain forever a virgin. Her father, however, had different plans and arranged for her to wed Valerian, a pagan nobleman. She broke the news to her groom on the wedding night. […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; Romans 5:1-2,5-8; John 4:5-42) Letting Jesus Set Us Free Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation Give me a drink (John 4:7). Today’s Gospel gives us a glimpse into the power of God’s mercy and love. When Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a […]
San Clemente, today’s station church, is one of the greatest places to experience Rome’s many layers. Here, a twelfth century basilica sits on top of a fourth century basilica which was built over a, possibly, first century house with a temple next door. In ancient times, it was often easier to build over previous structures, […]
Perhaps better known by it’s nickname, Santa Maria della Navicella, today’s station church is Santa Maria in Domnica. In the ninth century, a church was built here over the site of a third century house. The home, owned by a noblewoman named Cyriaca, was a meeting place for early Christians and a refuge for the poor. A […]
Yesterday we visited the church of Santi Apostoli. This is the church where candidates for the priesthood would go on Ember Friday to pray for guidance from the Holy Apostles. Today’s station church is Saint Peter’s Basilica, the place they came to be ordained on the following evening. We’ll visit this massive basilica again in a […]
My dear friends in Christ: On this Feast of Saint Patrick, I wish the entire Archdiocese of New York an abundance of God’s blessings. May our great patron saint intercede for us, obtaining from the Almighty Father all the graces that we need as disciples of His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ! Is there one […]
Today we travel to Santi Apostoli, the church of the Holy Apostles, to visit the tomb of apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James the Less. That we visit the church today on Friday of the Quattro Tempora di Primavera, is not by chance. This was traditionally a day when the public would approve candidates for the priesthood […]
