Restoration
Column: The Pope's Corner
This column contains excerpts from the writings of the Holy Father.
How Can I Not Pay Tribute? — by Pope Benedict XVI. "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus," the saintly Curé of Ars would often say. Let us reflect with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church,... (February 23, 2010)
The Second Journey of the Magi — by Pope Benedict XVI. Have you ever wondered what happened to the Magi after they found the Child they had been seeking? The pope has some surprising reflections on the subject. Outwardly, the journey of the Magi was over when... (January 04, 2010)
Advent: Season of Hope — by Pope Benedict XVI. …Advent is par excellence the spiritual season of hope. In it, the whole Church is called to become hope for herself and for the world…. …Our God is "the God who comes" and calls us to... (December 01, 2009)
Every Moment of Our Lives — by Pope Benedict XVI. God created and redeemed us so that we might be saints. We cannot be satisfied with a lukewarm Christian life. Nor can Christian life be reduced merely to a few individual and isolated acts of piety.... (November 20, 2009)
Joseph Was a Carpenter — by Pope John Paul II. Work was the daily expression of love in the life of the Family of Nazareth. The Gospel specifies the kind of work Joseph did in order to support his family: he was a carpenter. This... (October 19, 2009)
Development: Gift of God — by Pope Benedict XVI. Without God man neither knows which way to go, nor understands who he is. In the face of the enormous problems surrounding the development of peoples, which almost make us yield to discouragement, we find solace... (September 09, 2009)
Where Can I Find Hope — by Pope John Paul II. We cannot live without hope. We have to have some purpose in life, some meaning to our existence…. Without hope, we begin to die. ….... (July 13, 2009)
Beauty Will Save the World — by Pope John Paul II. The Spirit is the mysterious Artist of the universe…. Dear artists, you well know that there are many impulses which, either from within or from without, inspire your talent. Every genuine inspiration, however, contains some... (June 09, 2009)
The Washing of the Feet — by Pope Benedict XVI. If we listen attentively to the Gospel of Holy Thursday, we can discern two different dimensions in the event of the washing of the feet. The cleansing that Jesus offers his disciples is first and foremost... (April 09, 2009)
Lent is a Call — by Pope John Paul II. When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you (Mt 6:2-6).... (March 13, 2009)
Towards a Culture of Life — by Pope John Paul II. In the great endeavor to create a new culture of life, we are inspired and sustained by the confidence that comes from knowing the Gospel of life, like the Kingdom of God itself, is growing... (February 06, 2009)
Come and See — by Pope Benedict XVI. With the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, Ordinary Time begins. The beauty of this time lies in the fact that it invites us to live our ordinary life as a way of holiness, that... (January 16, 2009)
Wellspring of Joy — by Pope Benedict XVI.Gaudete in Domino semper. Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4). Mass of the Third Sunday of Advent opens with these words and is therefore called "Gaudete Sunday." The apostle Paul urges Christians to rejoice because the... (December 15, 2008)
Me? A Saint? — by Pope Benedict XVI. Every day the Church offers for our consideration one or more saints and blessed to invoke and imitate…. Day after day, it offers us the possibility of walking in their company….... (November 14, 2008)
Our Greatest Treasure — by Pope Benedict XVI. The following is excerpted from the homily the pope gave via satellite at the closing Mass of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress on June 23, 2008. "The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the... (October 10, 2008)
Why Not Drop the Abortion Issue? — by Pope Benedict XVI (written when he was Cardinal Ratzinger). One widespread section of public opinion in the educated bourgeoisie may find it exaggerated and inopportune—indeed, downright distasteful—that we continue to remind them that the problem of respect for a... (September 12, 2008)
Our Relationship with God — by Pope Benedict XVI. The following is excerpted from the pope’s talk to youth and seminarians at New York’s archdiocesan seminary during his recent visit to the United States, April 20, 2008. What matters most is that you develop your... (August 06, 2008)
Totus Tuus — by Pope John Paul II. During his Mass homily on December 8, 1978, very shortly after he was elected pope, John Paul II, entrusted the Church, himself, and his papacy, to the Mother of God. The following is an excerpt... (May 21, 2008)
Democracy Betrayed — by Pope John Paul II. Freedom negates and destroys itself, and becomes a factor leading to the destruction of others, when it no longer recognizes and respects its essential link with truth.... (April 23, 2008)
An Easter Icon — by Pope Benedict XVI. The Easter icons of the Eastern Church show how Christ enters the world of the dead. He is clothed with light, for God is light....... (March 24, 2008)
Lent: A Path to Joy — by Pope John Paul II. When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Mt 6:6). This is, therefore,... (February 18, 2008)
Looking at Mary — By Pope Benedict XVI. Eight days after Jesus’ birth, we commemorate the Mother, the Theotokos, the one who gave birth to the Child who is King of Heaven and earth forever.... We are beginning a new solar year, which is... (January 02, 2008)
The God Who Comes Now — by Pope Benedict XVI. "Proclaim to the peoples: God our Savior is coming!" With this, the first antiphon of First Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent, the Church begins the season of Advent and the new liturgical year. Thus... (December 03, 2007)
All is Gift — by Pope Benedict XVI. To be a saint requires neither extraordinary actions or works nor the possession of exceptional charisms. It is necessary first of all to listen to Jesus and then to follow him without losing heart when faced... (November 23, 2007)
The Rosary — by Pope John Paul II. Throughout the whole Church, October is the month dedicated to the rosary. The rosary is my favorite prayer. It’s a marvelous prayer, marvelous in its simplicity and in its depth.... (October 31, 2007)
Pass On the Good News — by Pope John Paul II. The future of humanity passes by way of the family. It is therefore indispensable and urgent that every person of good will should endeavor to save and foster the values and requirements of the family....... (September 26, 2007)
The Source of Love — by Pope Benedict XVI. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another (Jn 13:24). Everybody feels the longing to love and be loved. Yet, how difficult it is to love, and how many mistakes and failures... (August 24, 2007)
The Split in Modern Morality — by Pope Benedict XVI. I often hear it said that people today have a longing for God, for spirituality, for religion, and are starting once again to see the Church as a possible conversation partner from which, in this regard,... (May 17, 2007)
The Cosmic Explosion — by Pope Benedict XVI. The Resurrection is not just some miracle from the past, the occurrence of which could ultimately be a matter of indifference to us. It is a qualitative leap in the history of "evolution" and of life... (April 08, 2007)
The Only Sign We Need — by Pope Benedict XVI. The Fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally known as Laetare (rejoice) Sunday, is permeated with a joy which, to some extent, attenuates the penitential atmosphere of this holy season. We spontaneously ask ourselves: but why should we... (March 16, 2007)
Called to Be Saints — by Pope John Paul II. This morning I had the joy of raising five new blesseds to the honor of the altar…. Different personalities, different contexts, different spiritual paths: the new blesseds let Christ reign in their hearts. Their lives... (February 12, 2007)
New Witnessing — by Pope John Paul II. Since they are members of the Church by virtue of their baptism, all Christians share responsibility for missionary activity. Today, this responsibility includes new forms. New situations connected with the phenomenon of mobility demand from... (January 26, 2007)
Invited to Joy — by Pope Benedict XVI. The angel went to Mary and said, "Rejoice, so highly favored one! The Lord is with you." Often the word of the angel is translated as "Hail, Mary," but the Greek word, the word the angel... (December 20, 2006)
The Power of Faith — by Pope Benedict XVI. Mary teaches us how to pray. It is she who shows us how to open our minds and our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit, who comes to us so as to be brought... (October 25, 2006)
Christ Was a Carpenter — by Pope John Paul II. Our labors—at home, in the fields, in industries, and in offices—can turn into an exhausting busyness ultimately devoid of meaning (Eccl 1:3). Let us ask the Lord for it to be the fulfillment of his... (September 15, 2006)
Why Consecrated Life? — by Pope John Paul II. Many people today are puzzled and ask: What is the point of consecrated life? Why embrace this kind of life when there are so many urgent needs in the areas of charity and of evangelization... (July 31, 2006)
The Bread of Life — by Pope Benedict XVI. Alluding to the Eucharist, Christ said, "This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike our ancestors who ate the manna from heaven and died, he who eats this bread will live forever" (Jn 6:58).... (May 25, 2006)
The Pope’s Last Gift — by Pope John Paul II. The last gift of Pope John Paul II to us was this short reflection “prepared in accordance with his explicit instructions” for Mercy Sunday. It was read at the end of the Mass for that... (April 23, 2006)
Opening Up to God — by Pope John Paul II. “Penitence,” in the evangelical sense, above all means this: “to be converted.” The real purpose of it is interior purification, which is necessary in order to be able to meet “in the secrecy of the... (March 27, 2006)
You Are of Inestimable Worth — by Pope John Paul II. Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the... (February 22, 2006)
Called to Worship — by Pope John Paul II. The following is a meditation on Matthew 2:1-12, the story of Epiphany. It is excerpted from the message of the pope to the youth of the world on August 6, 2004, in preparation for World... (January 06, 2006)
God Keeps His Promises — by Pope John Paul II. Know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Be sure that he will not delay (from the liturgy of December 17th). The annual evocation of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem renews in... (December 19, 2005)
Eternal Gifts — by Pope John Paul II. On November 2nd, we celebrate the Feast of All Souls, the annual liturgical commemoration of all the faithful departed. On that day a universal prayer is raised by the worldwide Church to the God of... (November 02, 2005)
Let the World See It — by Pope Benedict XVI. Because there is one bread, we, though many, are one body, says St. Paul (1 Cor 10:17). By this he meant: since we receive the same Lord and he gathers us together and draws us unto... (October 19, 2005)
Paths to Unity — by Pope John Paul II. I believe that one important way to grow in mutual understanding and unity consists precisely in improving our knowledge of one another.... (September 23, 2005)
The Church is Alive — by Pope Benedict XVI. This column will now include the writings of Pope Benedict XVI. The selection this month is from Pope Benedict’s homily at his inaugural Mass, April 24, 2005. The Church is alive—this is the wonderful experience of... (August 05, 2005)
Why Pray? — by Pope John Paul II. Through prayer, especially to Jesus at Communion, you will understand so many things about the world and its relationship to him, and you will be in a position to read accurately what are referred to... (June 27, 2005)
The Only Path to Liberation — by Pope John Paul II. To be committed to the new evangelization means that we are convinced that we have something of value to offer to the human family at the dawn of the new millennium. All of us must... (April 09, 2005)
Our Final Victory — by Pope John Paul II. In Christ, evil is already conquered. Death has been defeated in its very root, which is sin. Christ has descended into the depths of the human heart with that most potent of weapons: love, which... (March 31, 2005)
Why, Lord? How Long? — by Pope John Paul II. In the face of evil manifested in various forms in the world, distressed and bewildered human beings are asking themselves, “Why?” At the dawn of the third millennium, blessed by the Great Jubilee and full... (February 01, 2005)
Your Sources of Power — by Pope John Paul II. It is in the family where living stones are formed for that spiritual house spoken of by the Apostle Peter (cf. 1 Pet 2:5). The bodies of the husband and wife are the dwelling-place of... (January 01, 2005)
