Papal Visit Encourages Native Chiapas Ministry

Communities such as Bachajon have come to depend on indigenous deacons like Anselmo Hernandez, who play an important part in serving the Church and evangelizing remote regions of Chiapas state.

Foot-washing Rite Is Not for Men Only

Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include “all members of the people of God,” including women – a practice already observed by the pope and many priests around the world.

Effie Caldarola

Pray Your Way Through the Year

Pray first and ask what God wants of you. Then write down some goals. Don’t get too specific because as you pray your way through the year, God may help you define or refine your goals.

Two Meanings Of Poverty

(10th and last in a series) IT IS ALMOST impossible to read a story about Pope Francis that does not mention that he emphasizes the needs of the poor. Many religious leaders have spoken about the poor and about our obligation to be concerned about the poor and to help the poor, but somehow Pope Francis’ message seems to be having a special impact.

At Synagogue, Pope Says Covenant Is Not Broken

While the Catholic Church affirms that salvation comes through Jesus, it also recognizes that God is faithful and has not revoked his covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said.

Papal Reflections on Work

(Ninth in a series) POPE FRANCIS’ REFLECTIONS on work in his encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” make a great deal of sense to me. The Holy Father gives work a broad definition. Placing work within his general view of the meaning of human life on earth, Pope Francis notes that by work he means not only manual or agricultural labor, but also any activity by human persons that alters or changes reality.