“Knowing that we, as persons and communities, are part of God’s family gives us a vision and energy to serve a truly integral human development.”Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, n 78. Read a general introduction to Caritas in Veritate here.
We feel great kinship for the apostle Thomas because, like him, most of us curiously combine faith and doubt. We sometimes share the enthusiasm St. Thomas expressed when upon Lazarus’s death Jesus decided to go to Bethany. “Let’s go too,” Thomas said to the other disciples,“that we may die with him” (see John 11:16). But… Read More »St Thomas, Apostle
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday is the first Sunday in July. NAIDOC Week follows because it is always celebrated in the first full week of July. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be an online Mass for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday steamed live from the Adelaide Cathedral. Here is an… Read More »Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
On this day in 1945 Blessed Peter To Rot was martyred in Papua New Guinea. Find out more about his life here.
Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his martyrdom in Beijing. Not long after his baptism, Augustine was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815. Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were canonized together in… Read More »St Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Saint Bonaventure ... played an important role in both the medieval Church and the history of the Franciscan Order. A senior faculty member at the University of Paris, Saint Bonaventure certainly captured the hearts of his students through his academic skills and insights. But more importantly, he captured their hearts through his Franciscan love for… Read More »St Bonaventure
St Mary Magdalene is remembered as the 'apostle to the apostles' because she was the first to announce the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles did not believe her and went to see for themselves. According to John, Mary Magdalene was specially privileged to see and speak to the risen Lord on Easter morning. For Reflection… Read More »Saint Mary Magdalene
"Very early in his public life, Jesus called James to follow him. Along with Peter and John, James was one of the favored three to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus, the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and the agony in the garden on Holy Thursday night."Loyola Press Find out more about St. James here.
"One of the most precious things in life is to have a home where you can go at any time and find people who accept, love, and understand you. The home Jesus found in Bethany was not only in the house but in the faithful heart of a woman named Martha. She welcomed him and… Read More »Saint Martha
One of the many gifts of St Ignatius to the Church is his understanding of the process of discernment. Discernment is more than simply deliberating and making wise decisions. It is about prayerful attentiveness to God's presence in us and in the world, and openness to answering God's call to us, both personally and collectively.… Read More »Saint Ignatius of Loyola