Aleteia’s Zoe Romanowsky interviewed her recently, and she spoke —among other things—about the priest who was instrumental in her conversion: Q: What are the qualities that Fr. Gregory possessed that allowed him to be such an instrument of God for you, do you think? A: It couldn’t have been anybody else, really; there were so many factors… it was like the perfect storm. I think the fact that we were the same age, so we were equal, on a level playing... Read more

The pontiff met film director Martin Scorcese at the Vatican today after a screening of the new movie “Silence.” Rome Reports has the video. Check it out below. I was impressed that he also kissed the pope’s ring (something I did when I was met him back in May, and which he clearly doesn’t like.) Read more

The following letter was issued by the Rev. Michael Perry, O.F.M., Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans)—an exceptional plea for prayers for the Holy Land.  Among other things, he requests that the “children’s Mass” on the first Sunday of every month be dedicated, in a special way, to praying for peace. +++ To all the friars of the Order of Friars Minor to the Poor Clares, to the sisters to the brothers of the Secular Franciscan Order,... Read more

From Vatican Radio:  In the message for this 54th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Pope reflects on the missionary dimension of our Christian calling. The Holy Father says that “commitment to mission is not something added on to the Christian life as a kind of decoration, but is instead an essential element of faith itself.  A relationship with the Lord,” he adds, “entails being sent out into the world as prophets of his word and witnesses of his... Read more

Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Inspiring. Check this out, from the Diocese of Orlando website: Bishop Noonan stood in front of the altar at Holy Cross Parish in Orlando and laid his hands over the head of Elias Coll. At that moment, a calling the 63-year-old Catholic had his entire life was finally fulfilled. “From the time I was in my mother’s womb, I feel I was called to be a deacon,” said Deacon Coll. Deacon Coll was originally scheduled to be ordained... Read more

From RNS:  Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. believes that Donald Trump “will become America’s greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.” But that wasn’t enough to persuade him to accept Trump’s offer to become secretary of education, he said. Falwell told RNS the decision was due to concerns for the health of his family and the university he leads.   …Falwell said he talked about the post in separate phone calls with the president-elect and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. His interest was motivated... Read more

Here’s the first part of our discussion at America Media two weeks ago on “deacons, women and the call to serve.” Details:  The current Vatican commission exploring the possibility of women deacons has raised a number of questions about their role in the church. As ordained ministers who are neither priests nor lay people, the actual role of deacons in the parishes where they minister remains unclear to many Catholics. What are deacons, and how has their role changed over... Read more

From Aleteia:  It’s not too easy to see, but the official canonization portrait of Mother Teresa depicts what’s known as the “unity cross” on her rosary. The unity cross is linked to the Schoenstatt movement, as it was created by the first generation of Chilean Schoenstatt seminarians who studied in Brazil and Switzerland. The unity cross depicts Jesus on a low cross, enabling Mary to be pressed against him, as she collects his blood in a chalice which is at... Read more

I first posted this on my old Beliefnet blog back in 2008, but it’s too good not to post again. I offer this with a grateful diaconal bow to the legendary Rocco, who first drew attention to this great preacher, who hails from Massachusetts. THIS is an Advent homily for the ages. Snip:  I remember the day that Gerry died, as Mary held his hand. She wept. Oh how she wept as she clung to his body in the hopes of... Read more

Ad multos annos! As we begin a new liturgical year, a new batch of deacons in Ohio. The men were ordained Saturday morning at Columbus’s St. Joseph Cathedral. If anyone has more information to pass along, please do. They are: David Michael Bezusko, Michael Thomas Kopczewski, David John Lozowski, Kevin Peter Murrin, Jason Minh Nguyen, Ronald Eric Onslow, Stephen Anthony Petrill, Thomas David Phillips III, Thomas Joseph Rowlands, Charles Gregory Waybright, Mark Russell Weiner, and Paul Joseph Zemanek. Welcome, brothers!  Congratulations!... Read more