Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ) was elected by 77 votes on 13 March 2013 as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. He became the first Jesuit to be elected as a Pope, the first Pope from South America (Argentina), and the first non-European Pope since the papacy of Pope Gregory III who was from Syria. When he was elected as Pope, Francis had been a priest for 44 years – ordained on 13 December 1969 (ordained a priest on the 13th day of... Read more
“When you think of your death, seek not your rest in the hardened ground. But do so in the breast of men where heartbeats can be found.” – Jason Versey, A Walk with Prudence Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI became the head of the Catholic Church at a time when grievances of sexual abuse by the clergy were threatening the Church`s global moral standing. The abuse indignities hounded most of the late Pope`s papacy but he received credit for starting... Read more
Pope Francis`s homily at the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 5 January 2023 “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46). These were the final words spoken by the Lord on the cross; his last breath, as it were, which summed up what had been his entire life: a ceaseless self-entrustment into the hands of his Father. His were hands of forgiveness and compassion, healing and mercy, anointing and blessing, which led him also to entrust... Read more
On Saturday, December 31, 2022 the Vatican announced to the world the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at age 95. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927, in Germany’s Bavaria. Through pastoral training, Pope Benedict was a theologian. He became the first Pope from Germany since the 11th century. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pontiff since the 15th century to resign. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was ordained a priest June 29,... Read more
In response to Christ`s call, Mother Teresa completely denied herself. She was very conscious of the poor from a young age; Jesus Christ was the center of her life, hence, her Christ centric approach to life. Mother Teresa’s hermeneutical interpretation of scripture also transformed the way she approached each suffering individual. Mother Teresa`s Christocentric View Personal and intimate relationship Mother Teresa unequivocally understood Jesus through prayer and devotion. Her intimate relationship with Christ made her see His human dimension in... Read more
Catholicism (the people (Catholics) and the institution (Catholic Church)) is by far the biggest denomination in the world. It is divided into the Anglo-Catholic derivatives, Eastern Rite, and Latin Rite. The Canons The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEC); Latin; Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium (CCEO)) clearly defines the difference between church and rite as follows: Canon 27 – A group of Christian faithful united by a hierarchy according to the norm of law which the supreme authority of the... Read more
In the Book of Revelation, Archangel Michael led God`s armies in the fight against the forces of evil. In Hebrew, the name ‘Michael’ means, “Who is like unto God?” The Archangel is usually depicted holding a sword, scales, banner, and an overpowered dragon. Michael is a symbol of triumph over evil – reminding Christians about the fight with the forces of evil in the world. On July 5 2013, Pope Francis consecrated the Vatican to Archangel Michael`s protection. Like the... Read more
On Sunday, May 29, 2022, Pope Francis announced a consistory for August 27, 2022 in which the Pontiff will create 21 new cardinals – 16 of the clergymen are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote for the next bishop of Rome in a conclave. On August 29-30, 2022 another consistory will follow; in this consistory, all of the Church`s cardinals will gather to discuss the Roman Curia`s new apostolic constitution, “Praedicate Evangelium” (“Proclaiming the Gospel”) decreed... Read more
“Always remember this: life is a journey. It is a path, a journey to meet Jesus. At the end, and forever. A journey in which we do not encounter Jesus is not a Christian journey.” – Pope Francis In the Catholic Church, the red color symbolizes blood and fire; the color also symbolizes martyrdom, sacrifice, charity, and love. The clergy wear red vestments and the altar is draped in red during the celebration of the Precious Blood of Christ, on... Read more
“Prayer is the raising of one`s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” – Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2559). Catholics pray to and praise Mary as a way of raising their minds and hearts to God, they praise her as the Mother of God, as a Vessel, and as a Queen. Catholics praise Mary the same way the Angel Gabriel praised her in his salutation in Luke 1:28, “Hail, favored one!... Read more
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