Traditionis Custodes Early on July 16, 2021, Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio entitled Traditionis Custodes which sent shockwaves through the Catholic world, especially in more traditionalist circles. For a brief first look at what the document says, please click...
Pope Francis released a motu proprio on Friday, July 16, 2021, entitled Traditionis Custodes (“Guardians of Tradition”). This document will almost certainly be interpreted differently depending on the perspective of the reader. Those who currently and regularly attend...
Fratelli Tutti Fratelli Tutti is the latest encyclical of Pope Francis. Fratelli Tutti draws its name from the “Admonitions” of St. Francis of Assisi who reminded his friars that all men are brothers in being created by the same Creator. As human beings, men and women...
Join Fr. Elliott for this week’s episode of Ask a Priest. You'll learn more about: Pope Francis' recent comments about Civil UnionsBishops - what they wear, blessings, and more!Cardinals - what do they do and why *typically* bishops are appointed to this position. Do...
“I remember once how my mother was asked which of her five children – we are five brothers – did she love the most. And she said: it is like the fingers on my hand, if I prick one of them, then it is as if the others are pricked also. A mother loves her children as...
Let’s be honest, in today’s world, there aren’t many platforms out there that give Catholic youth a chance to express themselves and share their beliefs. When we found out about this contest being sponsored by MISSIO and the Missionary Childhood Association, one of...
Pope Francis has been known to go to great lengths to engage with the culture. For the first time in history, our Holy Father will star in a documentary, "Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word", which opens in theaters nationwide on May 18th. Award-winning German filmmaker...
There are really no words to add to this incredibly moving video of the Holy Father responding to the question of a young boy who wanted to know if his father non-believing father is now in heaven. The beauty, the gentleness, the compassion of Pope Francis should be...
On Thursday, six astronauts aboard the International Space Station had the opportunity to speak with Pope Francis in a video conference call. This is the second time that a Pope has had the opportunity to connect with astronauts while in space. Pope Emeritus Benedict...
What does a Pope pray before bed? Pope Francis' bedtime prayer is one that we can all easily incorporate into our nightly routine. With the beautiful simplicity of this prayer, we can teach our children to come before the Cross of Christ and meditate on what He has...
On Wednesday, May 24th, United States President Donald Trump proclaimed that Memorial Day (May 29th) will be a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace. It's no coincidence that he initiated this day of prayer on the same day that he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican....
The Pope Francis TED talk is trending all over the news today. Filmed at the Vatican, the talk debuted during TED's international conference in Vancouver on Tuesday night. It was a surprise for all who attended. Media coverage from CNN to the Huffington Post has been...
So, we’re approaching the midpoint of Lent! How is it going for you so far?! No matter how you feel you’re doing, this is a good time to pause and reflect on what has happened so far and to remind yourself of the purpose of this important time. To help you, we’ve...
It has always been a common practice for the Pope to meet with world leaders such as politicians and religious figures, but Pope Francis seems to have made a commitment to including celebrities and athletes on his busy meeting agenda. Though I can only speculate on...
Pope Francis surprised American Football fans (and - perhaps - commercial junkies?) from across the globe when, in an historic first for a Roman Pontiff, he addressed Super Bowl viewers on Sunday, February 5th. Reiterating his favorite themes of solidarity, the Holy...
2016 was a busy year for Pope Francis and he has hardly slowed down in the first month of the new year! The past year in the Church was graced with love and mercy, much needed in our world today. World Youth Day events and the canonization of new saints (especially...
Pope Francis began a letter to address young people by stating, “I want you to be the center of attention because you are in my heart." This letter serves as an invitation to all young people to place their trust in Jesus who will guide them to fulfillment through...
This recent ad, made by a film student and ignored by the brand it was created to promote, is so profound and moving that it's not hard to see why it's gone viral. It tells the tale of an aged marathon runner waiting out his final years in a care home. We see him...
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve just had a Year of Mercy! It ends pretty soon, on November 20th. Maybe, like me, you start out on these extraordinary years full of interest and hope and enthusiasm, and get to the end a little worn out with the repetition of it and...
In the midst of trials and arguments, it is often too quickly forgotten that marriage is a covenant bond between spouses which is sealed by God. When two people grow apart in a marriage, the easy solution might appear to be to get a divorce. However, the...
Landon LaChance is a sweet eleven-year-old boy with a rare genetic disease called neurofibromatosis that causes his skin to change color and may also cause non-cancerous tumors. When Make-A-Wish gave him the opportunity to have a wish granted his request...
Money can buy happiness? As Fr. Mike Schmitz points out, yes, money actually can buy happiness if you spend it on other people. Spending money on other people can “buy happiness” because it doesn’t have to do with the money—it has to do with gratitude, sharing,...
Go big or go home? We all dream to go big. As Christian youth, we dream to someday become saints and stay close to God for the rest of our eternity. It sounds great, but do you think about how many times we get sidetracked and fall because of our sins? Let’s be...
God has gifted us with many ways to express the emotion that wells within our hearts. Our culture will often tell us to suppress those feelings especially when it comes to crying. The world wants us to believe that to cry is to show weakness and defeat. However, the...
Pope Francis recently recorded a personal invitation for young people to join an anticipated million people of all denominations for an incredible event called Together 2016, taking place on July 16, 2016, on the National Mall. Why did the Pope take the time to...