Pet blessings across the U.S.

Pets and farm animals across the country get a special church blessing Oct. 4, the feast day of  St. Francis of Assisi. These outdoor blessing ceremonies – on parish grounds or church parking lots — involve creatures great and small.
To find out just where you can bring your dog, cat or lizard, check out the 14th annual listing of [...]

Enough church stats to keep any numbers geek happy

Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, known as CARA, now has a blog that digs into the whys and wherefores of statistical reports on the church.
For instance, a recent post compares data on how often Catholics attend church, as reported by various sources, balanced against actual counts of how many people are [...]

The Holy Pony Express

VATICAN CITY — When the Vatican press office has an important letter, document or package to pick up or drop off, it uses its own private courier service.
The Vatican office had been using a car, but somehow it was decided to substitute it two years ago with a motorbike, which certainly can zip in and out of Rome’s [...]

Year for Priests: Keeping the focus on Jesus’ compassion

By Paulist Father Tom Holahan
One in a series
ROME — Last night I was shocked when, discussing the recently restored version of “Godfather III,” no one agreed that the church was treated unfairly. While the story touches on the Vatican bank scandal of the 1980s, my ire went up when the Godfather, Michael Corleone, received a [...]

Pope’s departure talk in Prague

VATICAN CITY — Here is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI’s speech at a departure ceremony Monday at the end of his three-day visit to the Czech Republic:
Mr President, Dear Cardinals, Brother Bishops, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I come to bid farewell, I wish to thank you for your generous hospitality during my [...]

Pope’s words to young people in Prague

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Here is the Vatican’s English translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s multi-lingual greetings to young people following a Mass in Prague Monday:
Dear Young Friends,
At the conclusion of this celebration I turn to you directly and I greet you warmly. You have come here in great numbers from all over the country and from [...]

Pope’s homily in Prague on feast of St. Wenceslas

VATICAN CITY — Here is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI’s homily at a Mass in Prague Monday celebrating the feast of St. Wenceslas, patron saint of the Czech Republic:
Dear Cardinals,
My Brother Bishops and Priests,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Dear Young People,
It gives me great joy to be with you this morning, as my apostolic visit to [...]

Pope’s talk to academic leaders in Prague

VATICAN CITY — Here is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI’s speech to academic leaders Sunday at the Hradcany Castle in Prague:
Mr President,
Distinguished Rectors and Professors,
Dear Students and Friends,
Our meeting this evening gives me a welcome opportunity to express my esteem for the indispensable role in society of universities and institutions of higher learning. [...]

Pope to ecumenical representatives in Prague

VATICAN CITY — Here is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI’s speech to ecumenical leaders Sunday in Prague:
Dear Cardinals,
Your Excellencies,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am grateful to Almighty God for the opportunity to meet with you who are here representing the various Christian communities of this land. I thank Doctor Černý, President of the [...]

Pope’s words at the Angelus in Czech Republic

VATICAN CITY — Here is the Vatican’s English translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s talk at the Angelus prayer following a Mass Sunday in Brno, the Czech Republic:
(Before the Angelus)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have come to the end of this solemn celebration, and the midday hour invites us to pray the Angelus. I am pleased to [...]