News

By Donal Anthony Foley, World Apostolate of Fatima - The COVID-19 coronavirus is a new threat to our society, but mankind has faced even more serious ones in the past, including the Black Death in the 14th century, when between 30-60 percent of Europe’s population fell victim to the Bubonic plague. Later, in the 19th century, a cholera epidemic ravaged Europe at the same time that St. John Bosco – popularly known as “Don Bosco” – was building up his Salesian Order, which would do so much for Catholic education around the world.

By Fr. Edward Looney, Catholic Exchange - Each year as a priest I look forward to the celebration of Holy Week. The same is true this year, even though it will be a somber Holy Week, one like none other. Maybe your family has Holy Week or Easter traditions. How can we still mark Holy Week with faith and devotion during such a troubling and difficult time? Here’s a few suggestions… People love Palm Sunday. You would go to Mass like any other Sunday, but Palm Sunday was different. Instead of just one gospel, two are read, one before Mass and then the long Passion narrative.

By Msgr. Charles Pope - Last Sunday’s Gospel about the raising of Lazarus points to a supreme irony in the Gospel of John: Jesus’ very act of raising Lazarus from the dead confirms the Jewish temple leaders in their conviction to kill Him. The contrast could not be clearer. Jesus, who brings life, is opposed by the death-dealing conviction of His opponents. This is but one example of Johannine irony serving to highlight the differences between Jesus and His opponents… As we approach Holy Week we encounter a lot of contrasts and ironies in John’s Gospel account of the Passion. We do well to look at some of them.

By William Mahoney, Ph.D., Church Militant - Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Isolation at home… "can be transformed into a moment of particular grace if we find time to renew our intimacy with the Lord by listening to His Word, by personal prayer and by meditating on the saving mysteries contained in the Stations of the Cross or in the recitation of the Rosary."… "In these moments of great trial," said Müller, "we, believers in Christ turn our gaze to our Lord and to His glorious Cross, confirming our adherence and belonging to Him — the one Savior and Lord of our lives."