After trying to answer the question what is Hope, and the question who are those who hope, that is after reflecting on the nature of hope and on hopeful pilgrims on the journey of life, we try to answer, in the third column, the question: What do we hope for? Let us consider hereafter the main object of Christian hope and its secondary objects.
‘A different form of prayer’. This is how Kevin Duggan sums up the importance of sacred music, regardless of whether or not it is performed in a religious or ceremonial context. A renowned musician, the English composer performed earlier this month in Saint Joseph’s Seminary and Church, in a recital promoted by the Macau Diocesan Liturgical Commission. Director of Music at Scotland’s Dunblane Cathedral, the celebrated organist interpreted works by Henry Purcell, Johann Sebastian Bach and Louis Marchand, but also by contemporary composers such as Jesper Madsen or Hans André Stamm. In the end, Mr. Duggan spoke with “O Clarim” about his career and the transformative power of sacred music.
A group of local pilgrims will travel to the Vatican next summer to cross the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. Led by Father Daniel Ribeiro, the Holy Year pilgrimage is not restricted to Italy and the Holy See alone. Participants will retrace Saint Paul’s steps in Asia Minor and visit the world of a modern-day saint, Saint John Paul II.
The Holy Year celebrations of the Archdiocese of Jakarta coincide with the launching of the “Kabar Baik” (“Good News”) initiative. The newly created Catholic platform is dedicated to evangelization and the dissemination of religious content in the Bahasa language. The “Kabar Baik” platform aims in particular to inspire Catholic journalists to make the main messages of Pope Francis’ magisterium accessible and disseminated to a wider audience.
We may find Jesus’ invitation in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:27-38) challenging us always to, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly… If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them.” But we have to remember that Jesus didn’t instruct us to live and practice what Himself never practiced. While on earth, Jesus Christ was the friend of those who were discriminated upon or considered as outcasts and sinners (Lu 15:2) and while still hanging on the cross, with the excruciating pain of the crucifixion, Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
The Holy See Press Office has released an update on Pope Francis’ health as he is being treated for a respiratory infection, noting that his complex clinical condition requires an extended time of treatment in hospital.
As he remains in hospital with double pneumonia, we keep him close in prayer.
The New Testament shows us how Jesus gave special treatment to Peter, how he chose him from among the twelve. Does the New Testament also tell us about how Peter played his role? Yes, it does.
The Psalmist presents himself: “I am a pilgrim on the earth” (Ps 119:19); We live “as aliens on the land” (Ps 119:19). And St. Peter: “We are strangers and pilgrims on earth” (1 Pet 2:11). In our second column, we try to answer this question: Who are hopeful?
This year, the Catholic Diocese of Macau is thrilled to announce a contest inviting artists, musicians, and creative individuals to contribute their talents for the upcoming anniversary celebration in 2026. This event not only marks a significant moment in the diocese’s history but also aims to strengthen community bonds through shared creativity and expression.
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (Lk 6:17.20-26) – February 16, 2025 Fr Daniel Antonio de Carvalho Ribeiro, SCJ We can all agree that everyone wants to be happy. However, if we talk to different groups of people from…