From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis has called on the international community to take concrete steps to bring about peace and to protect all those who are victims of war and persecution. In a wide-ranging discourse to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, the Pope focused on a series of urgent issues which – he said – derive from a culture of rejection “which severs the deepest and most authentic human bonds, leading to a breakdown of society... Read more
Image: from NPR, courtesy the Corita Art Center And you’ve probably seen her work and not even realized it. Who knew? From NPR: Corita Kent’s silkscreens were once compared to Andy Warhol’s; her banners and posters were featured at civil rights and anti-war rallies in the 1960s and ’70s; she made the covers of Newsweek and The Saturday Evening Post; and she even created a popular postage stamp. Yet today, Kent seems to have fallen through the cracks of... Read more
He thanked his mother who prayed the rosary and went to Mass, and his large family. Take a look below. Read more
From National Catholic Reporter: Pope Francis strongly defends his repeated criticisms of the global market economy in a new interview released Sunday, rebutting those who accuse him of “pauperism” by saying he is only repeating Jesus’ message of caring for the poor. “Jesus affirms that you cannot serve two masters, God and wealth,” Francis states in the interview, bluntly asking: “Is it pauperism?” “Jesus tells us that it is the ‘protocol’ on the basis of which we will be judged,... Read more
“Dove of the Holy Spirit” by Bernini (ca. 1660, stained glass, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, via Wikipedia) From Vatican Radio: Remember to pray to the Holy Spirit: this was the message Pope Francis had for pilgrims and tourists who braved the drear and drizzle of a January morning in Rome, to gather in St Peter’s Square beneath the window of the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and pray the Angelus with the Holy Father on this Sunday... Read more
St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin via Wikipedia From The Guardian: An Irish Catholic priest received a standing ovation from his congregation when he revealed he was gay and then declared his support for same-sex marriage from the pulpit, according to reports. Father Martin Dolan, who has been a priest at the Church of St Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street, Dublin for 15 years, made the unexpected comments during mass. The priest, who was unavailable for comment and is... Read more
Two summers ago, I had the good fortune of meeting Fr. John Murray, who invited me to speak at a retreat on preaching at the San Alfonso Retreat House on the Jersey Shore. It was a great getaway, and the retreat house is a gorgeous spot. There’s nothing like waking up to the scent of salt air as the sun rises over the Atlantic, and gazing out at the crucifix standing watch over the beach. Fr. Murray was a gracious host.... Read more
From the vault, part of my homily for this weekend, marking the Baptism of the Lord, in 2013: At home, I have a little green book that someone gave me as an ordination gift: it’s the Rite of Baptism for Children, with all the prayers and readings for the sacrament. In the back, there’s a notation I scribbled on the inside cover: “Margaret Flanagan. July 1, 2007. First baby baptized.” I wrote that down in the book so I’d never forget. It... Read more
As you may have heard, Cardinal Raymond Burke is not a fan of female altar servers: It seems clear that many men are not being drawn into a deeper liturgical spirituality; today, many men are not being drawn to service at the altar. Young men and men respond to rigor and precision and excellence. When I was trained to be a server, the training lasted for several weeks and you had to memorize the prayers at the foot of the... Read more
A beautiful remembrance from The Orlando Sentinel: “Via mutatur, non tollitur.” The Latin phrase is said in Roman Catholic funerals, but Robert Kinsey was known for living its guidance: “Life is changed, not ended.” Every time Kinsey’s life was supposed to end, the three-time cancer fighter would surprise doctors and families. “He was a tough guy,” said his eldest daughter, Maryann Abbate of Marietta, Ga. “Very determined, great resolve. When he said he was going to beat something, he was... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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