El filósofo Heráclito de la antigua Grecia tenía razón cuando declaró hace unos 2.500 años que “lo único constante es el cambio”. Al considerar la naturaleza del cambio filósofos como Heráclito han discutido a lo largo de los siglos la paradoja del “Barco de Teseo”. El héroe de guerra griego Teseo regresó en su barco a Atenas y con el tiempo las diversas partes del barco fueron reemplazadas. La pregunta es: cuando al pasar del tiempo toda parte de la... Read more
This morning Pope Francis appointed Bishop Steven J. Raica the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. Bishop Raica is currently the Bishop of Gaylord in Michigan and will succeed Bishop Robert Baker, who served as the fourth bishop since 2007. Bishop Raica’s installation Mass is scheduled for June 23rd at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham. A priest of the Diocese of Lansing, Bishop Raica was ordained a priest in 1978 and a bishop in 2014.... Read more
The ancient philosopher Heraclitus was correct when he stated about 2,500 years ago that “the only constant in life is change.” When considering the nature of change, philosophers like Heraclitus have plunged into the paradox of the “Ship of Theseus.” The Greek war hero Theseus returned on his ship to Athens, and over time the various parts of the ship were replaced. The question is: when over time every single part of the ship is replaced, is it still the... Read more
The Archbishop of New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond tested positive for coronavirus. This statement was published in the Archbishop’s Facebook page: Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, I have been feeling fine. Recently, I had very mild symptoms, which included fever only. Out of an abundance of caution, I took the Coronavirus test which came back positive. I have notified those with whom I have been in close proximity. Needless to say, I have self-quarantined in order to be responsible and not affect... Read more
In 1633 the citizens of the Bavarian town of Oberammergau in southern Germany and the nearby villages along the same valley made a vow to perform the Passion of Jesus if God spared them from the plague that was indiscriminately killing people throughout Germany. No one in the village died, and since that year, a Passion Play has been performed forty-one times, once roughly every ten years. Set to begin this May, an announcement has been made that the Passion... Read more
During this time of the coronavirus pandemic, the Church wants to assure the faithful that God’s mercy is always present and always available to them. The Major Penitentiary at the Vatican, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, issued a statement urging priests to continue to hear confessions during this time of pandemic. He recommends that confession take place “in a ventilated place outside the confessional, [adopting] a suitable distance, [using] protective masks, without prejudice to absolute attention to the safeguarding of the sacramental... Read more
Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship, issued a decree on the Feast of Saint Joseph regarding the celebration of Holy Week in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. After recognizing the difficult times we are living through, he writes in response to various inquiries that have arisen from Bishops from throughout the world. He then gives general indications and suggestions. Easter – the liturgical celebration of Easter cannot be transferred to a later date. Chrism Mass... Read more
Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, diocesan administrator for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, announced today that in the face of COVID-19, drastic changes have been made to the installation ceremony of Archbishop-Elect Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv. A private installation will be held on May 6 at 12:30 p.m. Solemn Vespers will also be held privately on May 5 at 7 p.m. Both events will be attended by a minimal number of people and will be available on livestream . The Archdiocese... Read more
There is a chilling video online of a parish church in Bergamo, Italy with about fifty wooden caskets lined up around the walls of the church on the floor. This is what is happening in the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in northern Italy. It is a somber reminder of the seriousness and aggressiveness of this coronavirus. The obituary page of the daily local newspaper is ten to eleven pages long. Watch the video here The Diocese of Bergamo has... Read more
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Pope Francis to pray at Saint Peter Square Friday at 1pm EST
Pope Francis invites all the Christian faithful to participate in a special time of prayer led by him at Saint Peter Square on Friday, March 27th, 2020. The ceremony will include readings from the Scriptures and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It will conclude with the Pope imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing which is usually held only twice per year, at Christmas and Easter, from the balcony over the entrance of Saint Peter Basilica. The prayer and blessing will... Read more