Pope Francis has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg.  The meeting of economic powerhouses was supposed to focus on stabilizing the global financial system, but the crisis in Syria and the lack of consensus among the international community on possible military involvement may take over ...read more

God of Compassion,Hear the cries of the people of Syria,Bring healing to those suffering from the violence, Bring comfort to those mourning the dead, Strengthen Syria?s neighbors in their care and welcome for refugees, Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms, And protect those committed to peace.God of Hope,Inspire leaders to choose ...read more

A Reflection for the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great. ...read more

This prayer was written by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, S.J. It was published in the book Due Pellegrini per la Giustizia (Centro Ambrosiano: Edizioni Piemme, 1992) and translated here by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB. Lord Our God,We Praise you and we bless you for Jerusalem,Because you have given this city to usAs the symbol of the ...read more

Yesterday Pope Francis called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7, 2013. Speaking ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer with pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said, “On [Saturday] the 7th ...read more

  The following message was released by  the U.S. Bishops’ conference and Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development United States Conference of Catholic Bishops September 2, 2013 Every human being enjoys a basic right to be respected, not because of any title, position, prestige, or accomplishment ...read more

Below is the prayer written by Pope John Paul II to St. Augustine on the occasion of 1,650th anniversary of the saint’s birth. O great Augustine, our father and teacher, who knows the shining paths of God and also the crooked paths of men, we admire the marvels that divine Grace has worked in you, ...read more

After the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis renewed his call for peace in Syria. “It is not confrontation that offers hope to resolve problems, but rather the ability to meet and dialogue.” The Holy Father called on the International Community to do everything in its power to help the “beloved Syrian nation” find a ...read more

Published in 1954 during a Marian Year, Ad Caeli Reginam is Pope Pius XII’s encyclical on the Queenship of Mary. In it he details the great Church history and tradition of addressing the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Queen. Why Queen? Among the many examples Pius quotes St. Alphonus Ligouri: “Because the virgin ...read more

A few years ago, I picked up a book called The Diet Alternative. The author, Diane Hampton, told the story of how she found herself overweight, resorting to unhealthy eating and living habits, and not knowing how she’d gotten there. Her realization reached her during an eating binge and purge, when she realized she didn’t know ...read more