John taught that the first child born to a family is “like a bridge; the three become one flesh, because the child joins the two parts”, and form “a family, a Church in miniature”.
Month: May 2024
Come, Holy Spirit, as soft refreshing rain
In his Sunday Gospel Reflection, Fr. Paolo Consonni compares the Holy Spirit to gentle rain, emphasizing its cleansing and nourishing effects on the soul, similar to how rain revitalizes nature. As we celebrate Pentecost, he highlights that the Holy Spirit’s transformative power works gradually, penetrating deeply into our lives, fostering spiritual growth, and guiding us toward a deeper commitment to truth and intimacy with Christ.
Catholic Copts in Kuwait
The Coptic Catholic community in Kuwait, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia, has over 5,000 members and is being led by Father Yassa Ghobrial since August 2022. Despite hardships, these immigrant workers maintain a strong spiritual life, celebrating traditional Coptic rites. Father Domingos Santamaria, a dedicated Goan priest in Kuwait since 1973, is renowned for his extensive pastoral work, having celebrated thousands of sacraments. The community’s faith and traditions persist robustly in a predominantly Muslim country.
CHURCH FATHERS (28) Saint Gregory of Nyssa: theologian and mystic
Saint Gregory of Nyssa, the brother of Saint Basil, is renowned for his contributions to speculative theology and mysticism. Influenced by Origen, Gregory focused on the creation of man, emphasizing the divine image in the human soul. Saint Gregory also highlighted the active role of man’s freedom in purification.
The Ascent
Sometimes we identify this small world of ours as the final horizon of our lives. The feast of the ascension invites us to breach the ceiling of our prejudices and belief systems that trap us into a small world. Once we break the ceiling, we are able to see the sky of divine possibilities and of living our life to the fullest.
Camillian Order’s Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Chaos in Haiti
The Camillian Order, amidst escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, continues its vital work of providing medical care and support to the most vulnerable. Despite facing challenges such as armed gangs and limited resources, Camillian priests and organizations like ‘Madian Orizzonti’ remain committed to their mission of serving the sick and needy.
CHURCH FATHERS (27): A man who combined learning, prayer and beauty
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, a Church Father of the East, exemplified the harmonious integration of learning, piety, and beauty in service to God. He became known as “The Theologian” for his theological orations defending the Trinitarian faith and addressing heresies. Gregory emphasized the humanity of Christ and affirmed Mary as Theotokos, while also advocating for solidarity and charity in action.
The arms of the Ascending Christ open to welcome but also to send
On May 1, the parish of St. Joseph the Worker in Macau celebrated its 25th anniversary with reflections on the significance of Christ’s Ascension. The parish, founded in a once-unsafe area, has grown into a vibrant community, embodying the Church’s mission to be a sign of unity and communion with God.
“Little great missionaries, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus”
The European Missionary Childhood Conference (CEME) gathered delegates from 25 European countries in Bucharest to discuss missionary cooperation, inspired by the work of the Pontifical Society for Missionary Childhood. Participants shared experiences, learned about the Society’s activities in Romania, and explored ways to promote missionary activity among children.
Letter to Fr L – Allowing God’s Mercy to Transform Us
When Jesus says that our eternity will be spent contemplating His Mercy, He doesn’t only mean that this is something we will do after we die. True, the fullness of the revelation of His Mercy will be set before us when we enter into the Beatific Vision and contemplate God forever. But “eternity” includes today. It includes the here and now.