Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that... Read more

  For generations throughout the centuries Jewish families have gathered to commemorate the night when God freed them from slavery under pharaoh in Egypt and led them into freedom. They were freed by the blood of the lamb they sacrificed and whose blood they sprinkled on their doorposts. God ordered the Israelites to keep this memorial feast and they have kept it as we heard in the first reading, as a perpetual institution, eating unleavened bread and a roasted lamb.... Read more

Pope Francis has decided to remain at the Casa Santa Marta rather than moving into the Papal Apartments where past Popes have lived.  The Pope did move from the room assigned to him when he arrived for the conclave to a VIP room at the Casa Santa Marta.  Federico Lombardi explained that the room is larger and gives the Pope the possibility to more easily receive visitors and guests.  Francis will still use the Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace... Read more

On a day like today in 1980, Archbishop Romero of San Salvador was celebrating Mass at the chapel of the hospital where he lived.  After preaching, the archbishop moved towards the center of the sanctuary to prepare the altar, he no longer allowed others to help him at the altar for fear of his future murderer accidentally shooting the wrong person.  From the back seat of a car that had parked at the door of the church while the driver pretended to check... Read more

Please pray for my friend from seminary Father Michele Kayal, he is a priest in Aleppo, Syria and was kidnapped a few weeks ago by Syrian rebels on the road from Damascus to Lebanon.  Ever since the troubles began in Syria, I have kept him and my other Syrian priest friend in my prayers.  Father Michele is a man with a good and kind heart.  Finding out about this thirty minutes before Mass tonight certainly made the reading of the... Read more

  As one drives or walks in a city, there are so many things to read.  Advertisements, billboards, road signs, warnings, inscriptions, posters, historical markers, graffiti etc.  Most of these do not evoke a deep emotional response, they simply want us to purchase an item, vote for a candidate or stay out of a construction zone. While in Jerusalem I read an inscription while walking down a busy road while participating in the Stations of the Cross.  Not only did... Read more

Buenos Aires has been talked about much in the last week ever since its archbishop became Pope Francis.  The Paris of the South is a magnificent, bustling, cosmopolitan city home to almost three million people.  The Porteños (as people from Buenos Aires are called) are very proud of their city, and rightfully so.  I’ve posted a few pictures of the main sites of this great city. Metropolitan Cathedral at the Plaza de Mayo Interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral Tomb of... Read more

Pope Francis began the homily of his inaugural Mass with a reflection on the role of Saint Joseph as protector of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and the Church.  The Pope asked, “How does Joseph exercise his role as protector?  He does so discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand.” The Pope continued by posing a second question, “How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of... Read more

Pope Francis began by wishing everyone a good day and ended by wishing everyone a good lunch. Pope Francis smiled and laughed, interacting in a personal way with a crowd of over 150,000 people. Pope Francis made a joke after mentioning a book by Cardinal Walter Kasper that he was not trying to promote the sale of books by his cardinals. Pope Francis mentioned an old lady who deeply moved him when she said to him, “The Lord forgives all... Read more

While addressing the Argentinian Senate on Wednesday, Senator Liliana Negre de Alonso received the news Cardinal Bergoglio had been elected Pope.  “Bergolio was chosen?” she interrupted her speech. She turned to the other senators to confirm what she had just learned.  Requesting permission to interrupt from the President of the Senate, Negre de Alonso became visibly emotional.  “Forgive me I cannot continue speaking, I am too excited.”  After being granted an interruption from the President, she continued: “I am supremely... Read more