Church – Francis – Movements Category

CUBA, by “Pope Francis in Cuba,” official page for Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba and AICA • Within a few weeks of Pope Francis’ arrival in Cuba, Cuban television aired, on prime-time, an interview with the archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino. During the interview with author/singer and interviewer, Amaury Pérez Vidal, the cardinal expressed that “ Pope Francis will find a Cuba in growing transformation.” The cardinal added that behind the announcement of the diplomatic “thawing” between Cuba and the USA this passed December 17, 2014, Cuba isRead More
VATICAN, VIS/M. Fischer • Contemplation, service, fraternity – three aspects of priestly life that Pope Francis proposed to the participants in the general chapter of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The new Superior General, Fr. Juan Pablo Catoggio – whom the Holy Fathers knows personally and very well from Buenos Aires – along with the members of the General Chapter were received in audience by the Holy Father, Pope Francis on Thursday 3 September. At the end of the meeting the Pope gave three recommendations to the Schoenstatt priests. “Firstly, accompany andRead More
By Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa • It’s been ten months since about 5,000 representatives (and thousands more who were watching at home) of the International Schoenstatt Family gathered in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican for an unforgettable encounter with Pope Francis. The audience was more than just the final big event of the two-week celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Movement and the Covenant of Love in a small shrine in Germany. Fr. José Maria Garcia, in the introduction to the book containing Pope Francis’ messageRead More
Pontifical Coucil for Justice and Peace • At the end of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis recalled that next Tuesday, September 1st, the Church will mark the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Following in the footsteps of the Orthodox Church, Catholics are encouraged to organize prayer and practical initiatives to combat the environmental crisis facing our planet. Noting that local Churches around the world are planning events to reflect on the ways our lifestyles impact the environment, the Pope said he will beRead More
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