Saturday, July 5, 2025

Pope Benedict and Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

This morning I invite you to reflect on St Eusebius of Vercelli, the first Bishop of Northern Italy of whom we have reliable information....

Why Does Hell Exist?

“The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a...

Pope Benedict’s Address on Alphonsus Ligouri

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE St. Peter's Square Wednesday, 30 March 2011 Saint Alphonsus Liguori Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today I would like to present to you the figure of a...

17th Sunday: The Perfect Sacrifice

Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as...

From the Heart of a Woman: What It Really Means to Be a Man

What does it really mean to be a man? Well, I cannot tell you firsthand. I am a woman. However, I believe that it...

Saints Joachim and Anne: Grandparents of Jesus

(From our archives:) Let us sing praises to Joachim and Anna, The couple honoured by God (as they are His kinsmen) They have borne for us the...

James the Greater, Matamoros and Humanae Vitae: Signs of Contradiction

Today we celebrate the great feast of Saint James 'the Greater', not because of any intrinsic superior quality to the other apostle James, 'the...

Pope Benedict and Saint James the Greater

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 21 June 2006 James, the Greater Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are continuing the series of portraits of the Apostles chosen directly by Jesus...

Pope Benedict and Bridget of Sweden

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter's Square Wednesday, 27 October 2010   Saint Bridget of Sweden Dear Brothers and Sisters, On the eve of the Great Jubilee in anticipation of the...

Shūsaku Endō’s novel Chinmoku [Silence]: Christ’s Sabachthani versus Fr. Rodrigues’ Apostasy

(Please note: this article refers to the book; admittedly, I have not seen the film.) Chinmoku – a Tragedy Contrary to the interpretation of many Western...