Shalom holds carnival retreat in more than 50 cities in Brazil
With the proposal of a different Carnival, the Shalom Catholic Community hosts the event Reborn (or Rebirth, depending on the city that is being held) from 7-9th February in more than 50 cities in Brazil. “A Whole New Life” is the inspiring theme of the event this year, which promise along with the contagious joy, an experience of happiness that never ends on Ash Wednesday. Always with free admission, Reborn was first held in Fortaleza in 1986. A few years later, with the expansion of Shalom Community, several cities have hosted the event, which was named “Rebirth” in some of them. Reborn gather participants in an open retreat format, the event brings together more than 30,000 people just in Fortaleza, during the three days ...

Walk of faith: 500km of sugar, storms and blisters
The Caminho da Fe is one of the longest Catholic pilgrimage routes in the world, stretching 500km (310 miles) across south-eastern Brazil – it’s also one of the newest. Bob Walker joined the faithful on their trek to Aparecida. There are many places you’d rather not be when a storm of biblical proportions breaks above your head. At the top of a tall building. Underneath a big tree. Or hopelessly lost in the middle of a gigantic sugar cane plantation. Things on the Caminho da Fe were not going to plan. The painted yellow arrows that are supposed to guide you 500km had disappeared. Then it began to rain. And rain. The red earth track that cuts through the sugar ...

33rd anniversary of the foundation of the Shalom Catholic Community
Last Thursday, July 9th, the Shalom Mission in Nazareth celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the foundation of the Shalom Catholic Community.  Holy Mass was celebrated, presided over by Father Bruno, the Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation. This was followed by a breakfast at which the members of the Shalom Community were present, as well as friends (religious and lay) belonging to various congregations present in the Holy Land. The gift of the Shalom vocation was celebrated with great joy. On this occasion Lorena Gadelha officially took over the local responsibility of the Nazareth Mission.  

“Children are never a mistake “
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which he continued his catechetical series on the family, concluding his reflections on the role of children in family life. Below, please find the English summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks. *********************************** Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today we continue our reflection on children, the greatest blessing which God has bestowed on man and woman. I wish to focus our attention on the suffering which many children are experiencing. From the first moments of their lives, some are rejected, abandoned, and robbed of their infancy and future. There are those who say it is a mistake to bring these children into the world, due to their fragility, and ...

Pope Francis’ Letter on the Fifth Centenary of Saint Teresa of Avila’s Birth
[St. Teresa] asks us to be perseverant, faithful even in the midst of aridity, personal difficulties or the pressing needs that call us. Here is the translation of Pope Francis’ letter to Fr. Saverio Cannistra, Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, on the occasion of the fifth centenary celebration of St. Teresa of Avila’s birth. * * * To the Venerable Brother Father Saverio Cannistra Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites Dear Brother, On the completion of the 500 years of the birth of Saint Teresa of Jesus, I wish to join you, together with the whole Church, in giving thanks by the great Discalced Carmelite Family – women and men Religious and Secular – for ...

Fr. Cantalamessa’s 5th Lenten Homily: East and West Before the Mystery of Salvation
Here is the fifth Lenten homily given this year by the preacher of the Pontifical Household, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa. * * * With this meditation we conclude our overview of the common faith of East and West, and we conclude it with what concerns us more directly, the problem of salvation: that is, how Orthodoxy and the Latin world have understood the content of Christian salvation. This is probably the area in which it is more necessary for us Latins to turn our gaze to the East to enrich, and in part to correct, our prevailing way of conceiving of the redemption accomplished by Christ. We have the good fortune of doing so in this chapel where the work ...

Pope at Santa Marta: Faith, not cold doctrine, brings joy
It is not “cold doctrine” that brings joy, but faith, and the hope of meeting Jesus.  He who cannot rejoice is an unhappy believer: that’s what Pope Francis said in his homily at Thursday morning’s Mass in Santa Marta in the Vatican: Abraham’s joy upon hearing that as God promised, he may become a father inspired Pope Francis’ reflection Thursday.  Commenting on the day’s readings, Pope Francis remarked that Abraham is old, as well as his wife Sara, but he believes and opens “his heart to hope” and is “full of consolation.” Jesus reminds the doctors of the law that Abraham “rejoiced” to see his day “and was full of joy”: “And that’s what these doctors of the law did ...

Pope: “Where there is no mercy there is no justice”
Pope Francis on Monday warned against righteous hypocrisy and urged Christians to be merciful.   During his homily at morning Mass in the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope reflected on the Gospel readings of the day and on another Gospel passage pointing out that “where there is no mercy there is no justice”. Referring to three women in the Bible, Pope Francis said they represent three allegorical figures of the Church. The women he said are: Susanna – an innocent woman; an adulteress – a sinner; and a poor and needy widow. They symbolize – the Pope said – the holy Church, the sinning Church and the needy Church. They are all judged and ‘condemned’ by judges who are evil ...