From The Boston Globe: The pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Canton died at the start of a Mass on Sunday morning. Father Michael McLellan, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, died at the 11:30 a.m. service. It is not clear if he was saying the Mass at the time. “We are saddened to have learned of the news of Father Michael McLellan’s passing,” Terrence Donilon, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, said in a statement. “We... Read more
The tragic story of a priest who died at the start of Mass last Sunday raises the question of what happens in such circumstances. The document De Defectibus, promulgated by Pope Pius V in the 16th century, offers this: If before the Consecration the priest becomes seriously ill, or faints, or dies, the Mass is discontinued. If this happens after the consecration of the Body only and before the consecration of the Blood, or after both have been consecrated, the Mass is... Read more
From The Boston Globe: The pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Canton died at the start of a Mass on Sunday morning. Father Michael McLellan, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, died at the 11:30 a.m. service. It is not clear if he was saying the Mass at the time. “We are saddened to have learned of the news of Father Michael McLellan’s passing,” Terrence Donilon, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, said in a statement. “We... Read more
From Paul Haring at Catholic News Service comes this wonderful picture from Sunday. Caption: Pope Francis and two newly ordained priests give a blessing during the “Regina Coeli” led from the window of the pope’s studio at the Vatican April 26. The priests and 17 others were ordained by the pope during a liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning. Read more
From an online media group called Mighty.LA: As the world responds to the Islamic State with hatred and vengeance, there is one group that is responding differently. They are not allies with ISIS but enemies. And they have been slain by the thousands in the hands of ISIS. ISIS calls them The Nation of the Cross – The ones they have killed are bringing a message of forgiveness and hope. Declaring a love that they do not know – A... Read more
Compelling testimony from another Patheos blogger, Christian Piatt: I practice the “Hail Mary.” Not only that, but I use a rosary to go through my prayers. I’ve shared this with some folks, and inevitably someone is surprised by this. I’ll get something like, “I didn’t know you’re Catholic,” or “Why pray to Mary? After all, she’s not actually God.” Or is she? Not that I think she personally was “God with skin on,” like we sometimes talk about Jesus. But like... Read more
View image | gettyimages.com From The Catholic Herald: The Polish Catholic Church has called for a fitting tribute to hundreds of its priests who died during World War II at the Nazi concentration camp in Dachau. “Dachau was the main camp for priests from all over Europe, and over half came from Poland,” said Mgr Józef Kloch, spokesman for the Polish bishops’ conference. “We want to highlight this as we remember the camp’s liberation by the US Army, paying tribute... Read more
Details: On Sunday morning Pope Francis ordained 19 new priests, exhorting them to serve the flock rather than manage it, and to feed the people of God with heartfelt homilies rather than boring sermons. “Let this be the nourishment of the People of God,” Francis said during the ceremony in Saint Peter’s Basilica, “that your sermons are not boring, that your homilies reach people’s hearts because they come from your heart, because what you say to them is what you carry in... Read more
Hail Mary, full of grace; all generations call you blessed. Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith, you responded: “Let it be done unto me.” Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana, you prompted your Son to perform his first sign. Be with us as we discern our life’s work and guide us in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps... Read more
Details: On Sunday morning Pope Francis ordained 19 new priests, exhorting them to serve the flock rather than manage it, and to feed the people of God with heartfelt homilies rather than boring sermons. “Let this be the nourishment of the People of God,” Francis said during the ceremony in Saint Peter’s Basilica, “that your sermons are not boring, that your homilies reach people’s hearts because they come from your heart, because what you say to them is what you carry in... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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