Category Archives: Popes

“The Crisis of Indifference”

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father in his remarks to the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization yesterday, spoke of the “crisis of indifference” that carries with it an apathy to the message of the Gospel. He said, in part: The crisis we … Continue reading →

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My Reflections of Blessed John Paul II in Light of John Paul I

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Deacon Bob

My time in Rome during the pontificate of John Paul II was brief. I left Rome in December, 1978, shortly after he was elected. I was privileged, though, to have been able to be in the Piazza di San Pietro … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I), Popes | 1 Comment

John Paul II is Beatified

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father beatified Pope John Paul II this morning at the Vatican. From the reports I have read so far, it sounds like it was what everyone expected — a grand day. The Anchoress, (see link to lower right) … Continue reading →

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Blessed John Paul II — Take a Long Look

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I want to alert you to a wonderful webpage provided by Corriere della Sera which is an Italian newspaper from Milan. They have several pages dedicated to John Paul II. Many photographs, a history of the popes, and all sorts … Continue reading →

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Veneration of the Blood of Blessed John Paul II

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Deacon Bob

This morning, the Vatican indicated that for the beatification of John Paul II this Sunday, there will be exposed for veneration of the faithful a small vial of John Paul II’s blood in liquid form. The Communicato regarding this is … Continue reading →

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Happy Anniversary, Holy Father

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is the sixth anniversary of Pope Benedict’s election to the papacy. He was elected in a very short conclave after the death of Pope John Paul II. He continues, it seems, to enjoy good health, a clear mind, and … Continue reading →

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If You Are in Rome or Poland….

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father announced today that October 22 will be the feast day of soon to be Blessed Pope John Paul II in the diocese of Rome and in all the dioceses of Poland. Outside of these dioceses, the local … Continue reading →

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The Holy Father on Continuing Life-long Formation

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father addressed the bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church in India today as part of their ad limina visit to Rome. He spoke of a number of things, but one thing caught my attention — the need for ongoing … Continue reading →

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Open the Doors to Christ!

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Deacon Bob

A beautiful song has been written for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. It will be debuting on April 30, from what I know. It’s title is: Aprite le porte a Cristo! and is written by Msgr. Marco Frisina, … Continue reading →

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Laetare Sunday

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is Laetare Sunday, marking the halfway point in Lent. The traditional colors for the day is rose. Laetare Sunday invites us to rejoice and be glad for our redemption is soon to be celebrated on Easter. The Holy Father’s … Continue reading →

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Rest in Peace, Papa Wojtyla

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is the sixth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. I suspect many of you recall where you were when you heard of his death. It was one of those moments in life that marks time in … Continue reading →

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In Defense of Religious Freedom

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read an article today written by George Weigel in First Things, entitled, “All War, All the Time.” In it, he writes about the Church’s struggle for religious freedom back in the 1960s through the 1980s in communist countries bent … Continue reading →

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The Holy Father’s Lenten Message

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father’s Lenten message is contained in the link below. Take the time to read it and nourish your souls! Lenten blessings on each of you… MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI for Lent 2011

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“The Blood of Christ”

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Ash Wednesday… the beginning of Lent. Forty days (excluding the intervening Sundays) of penance and conversion, ending with the Triduum and the joy of Easter. Pope St. Clement said in his letter to the Corinthians, “We fix our eyes on … Continue reading →

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Of Serpents and Doves

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Pope St. Gregory the Great, in today’s Office of Readings, gives us a reflection upon the simple yet upright person. He says in part (my English translation of the Italian): “There is a type of simplicity that would be better … Continue reading →

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John Paul II Website from the Vatican

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Check this out. A website recently launched, I believe, from the Vatican on the upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II. It is in several languages, and has some interesting information, even several webcams from Vatican … Continue reading →

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Update! Blessed John Paul II

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Vatican this morning has announced that Pope John Paul II will be beatified on May 1, 2011 (Divine Mercy Sunday) in a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. Let us thank God for this wonderful pope who showed the … Continue reading →

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Blessed John Paul II

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Mr. Andrea Tornielli of the Italian newspaper, Il Giornale reported in yesterday’s edition that the bishops and cardinals of the Congregation of the Cause of the Saints met and officially approved the miraculous healing of the French nun who was … Continue reading →

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Blessed Pope John Paul II?

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Andrea Tornielli of the Italian newspaper Il Giornale reported yesterday that a second miraculous healing has been attributed to the intercession of Pope John Paul II and his beatification will be this year, maybe as early as April. Sister Marie … Continue reading →

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Reflection for the Day

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I received this from an college friend of mine, who happens to be my insurance agent now. I believe he read it in the pope’s encyclical, Evangelium Vitae. “Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the … Continue reading →

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