"‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jn 14: 1-6
Saint of the Day
Saint Peter Celestine
Pope (1221-1296)
Saint Peter Celestine was the eleventh of the twelve children of a poor Italian farmer. As a child, Peter had visions of our Blessed Lady, Angels and Saints. His heavenly visitors encouraged him in his prayers and chided him when he fell into any fault. His mother, though only a poor widow, sent him to school, feeling sure that he would one day be a Saint.
At the age of twenty, he left his home in Apulia to live in a mountain solitude. Here he passed three years, assaulted by the evil spirits and beset with temptations of the flesh, but consoled by the visits of Angels. After this his seclusion was invaded by disciples who refused to be sent away; and the rule of life which he gave them formed the foundation of the Celestines, a branch of the Order of Saint Benedict. Angels assisted in the church which Peter built; unseen bells rang peals of surpassing sweetness, and heavenly music filled the sanctuary when he offered the Holy Sacrifice; he had consented to be ordained, to find in the Holy Eucharist assistance against temptation.
Spain 'Courtyard of the Gentiles' Considers Beauty, Faith. Art, Culture and Transcendence Discussion Marks Barcelona Event
BARCELONA, Spain, MAY 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A new session of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” opened Thursday in Barcelona. The Courtyard is an initiative the Pontifical Council for Culture has been organizing worldwide, in line with the thought of Benedict XVI, who is calling for the opening of new “courtyards,” which will enable contemporary man to enter into contact with God, the "Unknown.”
Colombia: No Peace Without Justice. Bishop Orozco Montoya on a Church Thriving Despite Tragedy
ROME, MAY 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Despite Colombia’s beauty, this country has a history of more than 40 years of violence and armed struggle, of kidnappings and of many lives lost. Drug trafficking, guerrillas, unemployment and forced displacement are some of the great problems which this country has been combating for decades.
Paul VI Honored as 'One of the Great Protagonists of the 20th Century'. Historical Investigation Launched at Roman University
ROME, MAY 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Pope Paul VI's role in history will be highlighted at a Roman university that is instituting a chair in his honor.
Pope Lauds Welcome of Immigrants Given by Church in US. Notes 'Immense Promise,' 'Vibrant Energies' of a New Generation of Catholics By Ann Schneible
VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today greeted the final group of United States bishops to come to Rome for their ad limina visits, praising the bishops for the welcome immigrants find in the Church in the U.S..
Cardinal Schönborn on the Church's Survival in Mary's Faith. Austrian Prelate Speaks of Hope and the Rosary By Salvatore Cernuzio and Massimiliano Menichetti
ROME, MAY 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Mary’s faith supports the whole Church. This conviction was at the heart of the homily of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna and president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference, who spoke Tuesday in the parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci, to pay homage to the Virgin of Fatima.
Where Rachel Weeps for Her Children. Conflict Is Forcing Women and Children to Flee Into Ethiopia From South Sudan: a Snapshot
GAMBELLA, Ethiopia, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is an account of the conflict in South Sudan, written by Eva-Maria Kolmann of the Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need.
Miami Prelate Recalls Pope's Visit to Cuba, Looks to Year of Faith. Archbishop Thomas Wenski Speaks About Pastoral Care of Immigrants
ROME, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In confronting the war that secular culture is raging against the family, the Year of Faith calls Christians to embrace the faith, and to become shaped by it, according to a Florida bishop who was just in Rome for his five-yearly meeting with the Pope.
Archbishop Celli: We Must Be Quiet to Understand Each Other. Vatican Official on Pope's Message for Sunday's Communications Day By Jose Antonio Varela Vidal
VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- This Sunday, the Church marks the World Day of Communications. In his message for this year's day, Benedict XVI chose to lead the faithful in a reflection on silence in evangelization.
Benedict XVI Makes Appeal on UN World Day of Families. Says Work Should Sustain and Unite Families, Not Hinder Them
VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In his general audience on Wednesday, Benedict XVI remarked on the United Nations’ International World Day of Families, held Tuesday. The theme chosen by the UN to mark the event was “family and work.”
Benedict XVI Views Screening of Mary of Nazareth. Film Part of an International Collaboration on the Life of the Mother of God
VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI on Wednesday viewed a private screening of a film on the life of the Virgin Mary. After the screening, the Pontiff thanked the producers of “Mary of Nazareth,” an international collaborative effort.
UK Prelate Warns 'Tolerance Is Being Abolished'. Cardinal Murphy-OConnor Concerned With Growing Attack on Christianity
LEICESTER, England, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the retired archbishop of Westminster, is warning that atheism seeks to wipe out Christianity from the United Kingdom.
Benedict XVI Gives Advice for Those Struggling to Pray. Emphasizes Role of Holy Spirit
VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Taking up the theme of prayer in the letters of St. Paul, Benedict XVI today reflected on the essential role of the Holy Spirit for those who wish to communicate with God.
Vatican Talks to Continue With Society of St. Pius X. Each of Group's Bishops to Be Considered Individually
VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Though talk has been circulating for weeks of an imminent reconciliation with Rome for the Society of St. Pius X, a statement today from the Vatican press office indicated that discussions with the group will still be ongoing.
When to Celebrate?/2: The Day of the Lord (CCC 1166-1167). Column on Liturgical Theology; Coordinator: Father Mauro Gagliardi By Natale Scarpitta*
ROME, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The whole liturgical year flows from the regular rhythm of successive Sundays in which the Church, in the course of the centuries, has gathered in liturgical assembly to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ. “Sunday is the pre-eminent day for the liturgical assembly, when the faithful gather” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1167).
'Significant Victory' for Freedom at European Rights Court. Verdict Sides With Bishop in Employment Case
STRASBOURG, France, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is a statement from the European Centre for Law and Justice regarding a decision on religious freedom made Tuesday by the European Court of Human Rights.
Church Builds on 50 Years of Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Pontifical Angelicum University Hosts Conference on Nostra Aetate By Ann Schneible
ROME, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The development of relations between Christians and Jews in the 50 years since Vatican II's Nostra aetate was the focus of a conference hosted today by the Pontifical Angelicum University.
Legionaries Issue Statement on Father Thomas Williams. Ask for Prayers in Time of Penance and Renewal
ROME, MAY 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In a message made public Tuesday, the territorial director of the United States for the Legion of Christ, Father Luis Garza, informed Legionaries and Regnum Christi consecrated members of a personal declaration made by an American Legionary priest, Father Thomas Williams.
Canadian Bishops Offer Defense of Religious Freedom. Pastoral Letter Speaks of 'Disturbing Trend'
OTTAWA, Ontario, MAY 15, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Canada's bishops on Monday released a major pastoral letter on the issue of religious freedom.
Benetton Offers Donation to Charity in Settlement With Holy See. Affirms Regret for Misuse of Pope's Image
VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican press office today announced a settlement with the Benetton Group for its use of a fake image of Benedict XVI in an ad campaign.
Official Schedule Announced for Pope's Milan Trip. June 1-3 Visit for World Meeting of Families
VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican announced today the schedule for Benedict XVI's visit to Milan for the 7th World Meeting of Families.
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Saint Peter Celestine was the eleventh of the twelve children of a poor Italian farmer. As a child, Peter had visions of our Blessed Lady, Angels and Saints. His heavenly visitors encouraged him in his prayers and chided him when he fell into any fault. His mother, though only a poor widow, sent him to school, feeling sure that he would one day be a Saint.