Bangalore, India, Mar 10, 2014 / 12:57 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- “Called to be a Catechist,” a book recently released by the Indian Catechetical Association, discusses the role of the laity in faith education in the country. The book collects the talks delivered at the association’s 17th annual conference, held last year in Patna, and is edited by Fr. Gilbert Choondal, a Salesian priest. “The papers explore the dimensions of a catechist, including historical, religious, … [Read more...]
Papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo now open to public
March 10, 2014 by
Vatican City, Mar 10, 2014 / 11:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Known as the Barberini Gardens, the historic area of Castel Gandalfo has been declared open to the general public by Pope Francis, with tours available for those who are interested. Located roughly 20 miles south of Rome in the Alban Hills, the gardens surround the Papal Summer Residence at Castel Gandolfo and include the remnants of a Roman Villa, a 62 acre farm, and the ancient papal palace. According to a March 4 article published … [Read more...]
Vatican confirms papal visit to South Korea
March 10, 2014 by
Vatican City, Mar 10, 2014 / 08:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a statement released earlier this morning, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi confirmed Pope Francis’ apostolic trip to the Republic of Korea, which is slated to occur in August of this year. “Welcoming the invitation from the President of the Republic and the Korean bishops,” Fr. Lombardi announced in his March 10 statement, “His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Voyage to the Republic of Korea … [Read more...]
Pope Francis on Lenten retreat with members of Curia
March 10, 2014 by
Vatican City, Mar 10, 2014 / 05:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday afternoon Pope Francis left Rome with members of the Curia to spend their annual Lenten retreat in the hillside town of Ariccia, breaking from the tradition of holding it inside of the Vatican. According to Vatican Radio the Pope left Vatican City for the retreat, lasting from March 9 – 14, a few hours after his weekly Sunday Angelus address. In making the decision to hold the retreat here, thus removing themselves … [Read more...]
In first year, Pope Francis has challenged ‘all’ to live Gospel
March 9, 2014 by
Washington D.C., Mar 9, 2014 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Anticipating the one-year anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the Bishop of Rome, Catholic leaders nationwide have reflect on his papacy thus far, noting his call for every Catholic to evangelize. “In a certain sense, by his style of interviews and public statements, he kind of throws the ball back in our court as well – and I don't mean bishops, I mean all the faithful,” Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, … [Read more...]
Pope encourages Rome’s lay faithful to serve poor
March 9, 2014 by
Vatican City, Mar 9, 2014 / 10:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a message to participants at a conference on the mission of the laity in Rome, Pope Francis urged the city's Christians to be mindful of those in poverty. “I advise you to make habitual use of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a complete and valuable instrument. With the help of this 'compass,' I encourage you to work for the social inclusion of the poor, having for them always as a matter of … [Read more...]
Missionaries reflect on anniversary of expulsion from South Sudan
March 9, 2014 by
Juba, South Sudan, Mar 9, 2014 / 08:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fifty years after their expulsion from South Sudan, missionaries reflected on the challenges and unexpected blessings borne out of the dismissal, as well as upon the future of the country. "The expulsion: was it a sign or an inevitable misfortune?" asked Fr. Daniele Moschetti and Sr. Giovanna Sguazza, provincial superiors of South Sudan of the Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Sisters, a missionary religious order, in a Feb. … [Read more...]
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