VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Temptation — a constant in spiritual life — is an opportunity for Christians to remember that Jesus is close to them, supports them and lifts them up when they fall, Pope Francis said. “We all have experienced this: that a bad thought comes into your head, a desire to do something,…
Reading 1 1 JN 2:29–3:6 If you consider that God is righteous,you also know that everyone who acts in righteousnessis begotten by him.See what love the Father has bestowed on usthat we may be called the children of God.Yet so we are.The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the new year begins, Pope Francis will be the oldest reigning pope since the early 1900s and the third oldest in history. Having celebrated his 87th birthday in mid-December, Pope Francis’ initial calendar for 2024 had just the essentials. A full slate of the usual papal liturgies and meetings are…
Readings for the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church Reading 1 1 JN 2:22-28 Beloved: Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son does not have the…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world and the Catholic Church must respect and defend women and foster a motherly care for others to end dehumanizing cycles of violence, Pope Francis said. “The church needs Mary in order to recover her own feminine face, to resemble more fully the woman, virgin and mother, who is her…
Reading I Nm 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to…