Pope at Regina Caeli noon prayer: ‘Life has the last word.” (Mon, April 13)
Pope Francis says, ‘Jesus resurrection tells us that death does not have the last word, life does.”
Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil Homily (Sat, April 11)
The Way of the Cross - Pope Francis (Fri, April 10)
We cannot go to Jerusalem, so we have Jerusalem come to us with this classic Catholic tradition, the Stations of the Cross. Join Pope Francis as he leads us along the passion of Jesus. It is our Lord’s Passion, that takes us into the mysterious and profound depths of His incredible love for us.
Pope Francis’ Message for Holy Week (Fri, April 3)
Recognizing the difficulties everyone around the world are having dealing with Covid-19, Pope Francis shares his concerns. He offered this word of advice:
“Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous. Let us help those in need in our neighborhood. Let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks. Let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world.”
Despite the isolation imposed by social distancing measures, “thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love.”
His hope for us is to tap into the message of the Gospel, “God’s boundless love.” He says, “It is the hope of a better time, in which we can be better, finally freed from evil and from this pandemic, … It is a hope: hope does not disappoint. It is not an illusion, it is a hope.”
Pope Francis Prayer Service & Urbi et Orbi Blessing (Fri, March 27)
On Friday, March 27, Pope Francis presided in prayer for the Coronavirus at St. Peter’s Basilica and followed it with his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing.
Click here for his beautiful homily.
“Our Father” on the Feast of the Anunciation (March 25)
March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation) - Pope Francis called for all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father as a response to the Covid-29 pandemic. He calls upon us to respond “with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness. …. Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried.”
This is his prayer:
“As trustful children we turn to the Father. We do it every day, several times a day; but right now we wish to beg mercy for mankind, so sorely tried by the coronavirus pandemic. And we do this together, Christians of every Church and Community, of every tradition, of every age, language and nation.
We pray for the sick and their families; for health workers and those who help them; for the authorities, law enforcement agencies and volunteers; for the ministers of our communities.
Today many of us celebrate the Incarnation of the Word in the womb of the Virgin Mary, when her humble and total “Behold” reflected the “Behold” of the Son of God. We too entrust ourselves, with full confidence, to the hands of God, and with one heart and one soul we pray:
"Our Father..."
Praying the Rosary on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19)
Pope Francis urges Catholics to unite spiritually, praying the rosary simultaneously on the Feast of St. Joseph, in response to the worsening of the Coronavirus outbreak. Each family, individual, and religious community is asked to pray the Luminous mysteries on Thursday, March 19 at 9pm Rome time.
He says,
Tomorrow we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. In life, work, family, joy and sorrow he always sought and loved the Lord, meriting the praise of Scripture as a just and wise man. Always invoke him with confidence, especially in difficult times, and entrust your lives to this great Saint.
I join in the appeal of the Italian bishops who in this health emergency have promoted a moment of prayer for the whole country. Every family, every faithful, every religious community: all united spiritually tomorrow at 9 p.m. in the recitation of the Rosary, with the Mysteries of Light. I will accompany you from here.
We are led to the luminous and transfigured face of Jesus Christ and His Heart by Mary, Mother of God, health of the sick, to whom we turn with the prayer of the Rosary, under the loving gaze of Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family and of our families. And we ask him to take special care of our family, our families, especially the sick and the people who are taking care of them: doctors, nurses, and volunteers, who risk their lives in this service.