Church – Francis – Movements Category

CUBA/ARGENTINA, AICA and Osvaldo Martín • A statue of Saint Joseph, a little over six feet high and weighing about 176lbs, will be transported from the Basilica de San José de Flores [The Basilica of Saint Joseph of Flowers] to the Cathedral of Havana, Cuba, where it will be blessed by Pope Francis during his apostolic visit on 19-22 September. Behind this gesture toward the Cuban people is a story of a neighbor from the Flores’ neighborhood. He is profoundly devoted to Saint Joseph, and he moved heaven and earthRead More
FRANCIS IN PARAGUAY, Marité and Ramón Marini / Maria Fischer • It has been over three weeks since Pope Francis celebrated the massive Mass at Ñu Guazú, on the outskirts of Asunción with almost two million pilgrims. We 1remember the very beautiful corn and coconut altar containing the names, concerns, and petitions of thousands of people that were written on the coconuts. We remember José Argüello’s story and photos of the night vigil with the title: “Serving with feet in the mud” Here we are, trying to absorb all of theRead More
FRANCIS IN ROME • In the sweltering Roman summer, under the hot midday sun on 26 July 2015, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves in front of thousands of pilgrims who, despite the intense heat, gathered in St. Peters Square to hear him and receive his blessing. “To receive Communion means to draw from Christ the grace which enables us to share with others all we are and all we have,” he said. These echo his words during his visit to Bañado Norte inRead More
PARAGUAY, by María Fischer, with Fr. Pedro Kühlcke • “After having read the Gospel, Orlando drew closer to greet me and told me: ‘I ask you to pray for the freedom of each one of us, of everyone.’ This is the blessing that Orlando asked for each of us. This is the blessing that we now ask together: freedom.” This is how Pope Francis began the most spontaneous speech of his trip through South America on Sunday 12 July. “Orlando, the youth that made the Pope change his speech,” wereRead More
Francis in Paraguay, María Esther Duarte, Ciudad del Este • At the same moment the Pope arrived in Paraguay, my children, Miguel, Enrique, Ester, and I arrived at the airport in Asunción beginning a series of many unforgettable and emotional moments. Greetings and glances As we traveled through the streets and before we knew it, we had arrived in front of the Youth Shrine, where we parked. We walked to the roped off area, where the Holy Father would pass (in the Popemobile) on his way to the Apostolic Nunciature.Read More
FRANCIS – WEEKLY QUOTES • Every part of the Church, and many others outside of her – believers or non-believers – have received Pope Francis` clear and hope-filled words. They are also words that motivate us to assume the responsibility we all have to build a world in accordance to the Will of God, in the strength of the Spirit and through the way of Christ. Cardinals and bishops, priests, men and women religious, novices and seminarians, families, the youth and elderly, communities and institutes have received this challenge toRead More
FRANCIS IN ROME • During the Angelus on 19 July, Pope Francis entrusted the fruits of his unforgettable trip to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary. Praising the Lord for the “wonders that have been worked in the People of God who are on the way in these lands, for the faith that has animated and animates their life and culture,” the Pope also mentioned the natural beauty of these countries, its great human and spiritual potential and its Christian values. Without forgetting theRead More
LATIN AMERICA, Jorge Armas, Generación Francisco • Bañado Norte in Asunción, where more than 30 thousand people live, is one of many neighbourhoods in Latin America where one can clearly see the “existential peripheries and the social trash” produced by “civilisation that has gone too far” as well opposite that comes from the people: radically humanising neighbourliness, committed solidarity and deep faith. Pope Francis promised to visit his brothers in Bañado, rain or shine. And so he did. Entering one of the tin shanties, an 85-year old man hugged him,Read More
By María Fischer, schoenstatt.org editorial team • “A Holy Father that interprets the world based on the experiences of his native South America, from a real and a not a theoretical close proximity to the poor,” commented a visibly moved German reporter, during the primary transmission on public television. “He didn’t return. It’s as if he never left the towns, his favourite place of ministry and being, when he lived in Buenos Aires,” he added, to immediately say that in Europe, we should not fall into the temptation of dismissingRead More
By the editors • “Today I wish to speak to the priests, seminarians, and men and women religious, and offer them some thoughts. I do have some words prepared, but I don’t really feel like reading (laughter from the faithful). So I will give that text to the President of the Conference of Religious so that it can be published,” said Pope Francis on Wednesday 8 July at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Presentation in Quinche. Before speaking to the public, the Pontiff paused in front of theRead More