Search for Irish roots adds depth to author’s Catholic identity
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Mike Mastromatteo By Mike Mastromatteo TORONTO (CNS) — Given Irish history and the people’s struggles with the great famine, British absentee landlord oppression, and the 19th-century migrations to North America, there is virtual storehouse of material for historical fiction, especially for a writer with an Irish-Catholic sensibility. …
Pope Benedict: Yearning for mercy is sign of longing for God’s love
IMAGE: CNS/Stefano Spaziani By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although he lives a relatively hidden life in a villa in the Vatican Gardens, retired Pope Benedict XVI continues to study modern theological questions and, occasionally, to comment on them publicly. The attention Pope Francis and many Christians are giving …
Pope Francis to make debut on Instagram, Vatican official says
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Firming up his presence on social media, Pope Francis will make his debut on the photo-sharing app Instagram, a Vatican official announced. Msgr. Dario Vigano, prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, said the pope’s new account “Franciscus,” will …
Seminary to host Father and Son Day of Service
Young men (ages 13 through 18) and their fathers are invited to “Real Men, Real Faith: Father and Son Day of Service” at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Mount Washington on April 9. The Day of Service provides a unique opportunity for young men and their fathers to spend a fun, …
Closed doors, hearts cause suffering to innocent migrants, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like the people of Israel in exile, migrants forced from their homeland due to war and persecution are often left to suffer because of closed hearts and doors, Pope Francis said. “In these cases one may ask, ‘Where is …
At Vatican trial, official says he felt threatened to release documents
IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The secretary of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See testified in a Vatican court that he felt he was being threatened and had little choice but to give confidential documents to two Italian reporters. Under questioning …
Salvation comes through the cross, not a magic wand, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/John Taggart, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The story of God’s love for humanity is starkly clear in a crucifix; redemption is possible because the Lord took on the sins of the world, Pope Francis said at morning Mass. “The crucifix is not a decoration; …
Mother Teresa to be canonized Sept. 4; pope sets other sainthood dates
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jayanta Shaw, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata a saint at the Vatican Sept. 4. The date was announced March 15 during an “ordinary public consistory,” a meeting of the pope, cardinals and promoters of sainthood causes that …
Mother Teresa to be canonized Sept. 4; pope sets other sainthood dates
Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata a saint at the Vatican Sept. 4, the conclusion of the Year of Mercy jubilee for those engaged in works of mercy. The date was announced March 15 during an “ordinary public consistory,” a meeting of the pope, cardinals and promoters of …
Christ’s passion to be retold in live musical broadcast from New Orleans
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Clarion Herald By Beth Donze NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Christ’s final hours will come to life in spectacular fashion on Palm Sunday, March 20, when Fox airs “The Passion,” a two-hour, live musical event from New Orleans. Bolstered by a soundtrack of contemporary songs performed live by …