A stunning story of one man’s journey toward forgiveness: It was 9 October 2012 when [Pascale Zezez] was kidnapped on bus from Homs, bound for Aleppo. The men who took her were militias with ties to the Free Syrian Army, Bashar al Assad’s opponents. She was 20-years-old when her lifeless body was discovered. That was when this Christian Melkite man from Aleppo – who is very knowledgeable about sacred Eastern art and has taken many pilgrims round on their visits to... Read more

From The Telegraph:  In Iowa 57 per cent of probable voters are evangelical Christians and Mr Trump released a video in which he showed his mother’s Bible, saying it was “very special to me”. He added: “I want to thank the evangelicals. I will never let you down.” On Sunday the Republican front-runner, who is a Presbyterian, attended a non-denominational church with his wife Melania in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He took Communion but momentarily became confused and tried to put... Read more

From The Guardian:  Church of England clergy may be allowed to wear casual clothes during services so long as they are “seemly”, in a move which would sweep away centuries of tradition. Members of the church’s synod, or ruling body, are being consulted by bishops on a change to church law which requires clergy to wear certain robes at specific services, including holy communion, weddings and funerals. Among the proposals being considered is making traditional vestments optional, as long as... Read more

The image above, now circulating on Facebook, is remarkable. So is the video below. An estimated 2 million people took part. The story (h/t Fr. Patrick Longalong): Cebuanos and delegates to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) currently being held in this city trooped to the Cebu Provincial Capitol and filled its surrounding streets to hear the Mass led by Dublin, Ireland Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. According to Fr. Roberto Ebisa, SVD, of DYRF, Police Chief Inspector Ryan Debaras estimated the... Read more

Details:  A Philadelphia car salesman will be rolling like Pope Francis after winning a special Fiat 500L the pontiff used during his historic visit to the United States last year during an auction at the Philadelphia International Auto Show. Michael Chapman, owner of Chapman Ford in Northeast Philadelphia, placed the winning bid of $82,000 to buy one of the pope’s four-door compact at auction Friday night. The car retails for $19,495. People had the opportunity to bid in person or... Read more

The pope had some pointed words recently about social media, and media observer Terry Mattingly spoke to a familiar figure in the Catholic blogosphere for some additional insight and context: “Social networks,” Francis wrote, “can facilitate relationships and promote the good of society, but they can also lead to further polarization and division. … The digital world is a public square, a meeting place where we can either encourage or demean one another, engage in a meaningful discussion or unfair... Read more

Here’s a great look at an experience that helped form Luke Kuechly, linebacker for the Carolina Panthers: Walking into St. Xavier High School, you are greeted by Pope Francis. If any reminder is needed of the expectations at this private Jesuit school on the north side of the city, nothing does the trick quite like a framed photo of the leader of the Catholic Church. Farther inside are a display case presenting mission trips for students; an art gallery; a... Read more

Spoiler alert: Mary dies. That may not be the biggest takeaway from this quietly compelling and deeply meditative new movie, “Full of Grace,” but it’s one that is sure to make some Catholics squirm.  In our tradition, we aren’t accustomed to thinking of the Virgin Mary as older—or as actually enduring a physical death, like anyone else (including her son). We tend to imagine her gently being assumed, greeted by angels, receiving a crown, and watching over the world for the... Read more

This was posted on the “Family Feud” YouTube site last week—and it’s rapidly catching fire on social media. All I can say is this guy must be amazing at parish dances. He serves at St. Isidore’s in Bloomingdale, IL. Just watch. Rock on, padre! Read more