At the beginning of an Italian bishops’ conference plenary session, Pope Francis gave each a copy of a text called “The Beatitudes of the Bishop”. Originally written by the archbishop of Naples for his homily when ordaining three bishops last month, the eight “beatitudes of the bishop” loosely correspond with those spoken by Jesus in Read more
If you have listened many times to the Palm Sunday Gospel readings, you will know the hush that descends on the congregation. It is not the silence of peaceful meditation. Rather it contains the crushing horror of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Once again, we walk with Jesus to Golgotha and feel helpless as Read more
A new apostolic exhortation has been released by the Vatican. An apostolic exhortation is considered one of the highest ranking papal documents after Encyclical Letters. The latest exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (“Rejoice and be glad”), focuses on the call to holiness in the contemporary world. The exhortation’s title comes from the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:12). This Read more
Mary will be at the heart of the next three World Youth Days, Pope Francis says. All three will take participants on a spiritual journey with Our Lady when she finds herself chosen by God. World Youth Day (WYD) sees young people from all over the world work to build and strengthen the bonds of Read more
New Beatitudes from Pope Francis have been added to those described by Jesus. The Beatitudes are the saints’ “identity cards” said Pope Francis. They were the subject of his homily in the Mass he celebrated in Sweden on All Saints Day. He went on to say the best description of the saints is found in Read more
Christians should memorise the beatitudes which Jesus taught as the path to true happiness, Pope Francis has said. Speaking at his weekly audience at the Vatican on August 6, the Pope linked the beatitudes, the Ten Commandments and the Last Judgement. Some 6000 people heard the Pope tell them he was so serious about Christians Read more
Pope Francis is asking youth to prepare for 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland by reflecting on the Beatitudes. As Catholic dioceses around the world prepare for the international World Youth Day, the Holy Father is asking the dioceses in 2014, to reflect on Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is Read more