Pope: Unity is First Sign of True Christian Witness
By Junno Arocho Esteves – The Catholic Church gives an authentic witness of God’s love for all men and women only when it fosters the grace of unity and communion, Pope Francis said. Unity is...
Category: Holy Spirit
Spirit’s Searing Grace Can Hurt and Heal
Guest Editorial by Michael Shackleton – An archbishop from Australia has unwittingly provided us with something to think about on Pentecost Sunday. As president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of...
Pentecost Sunday Reflection
There are three great epochs marked in Sacred Scripture that are heralded by God’s Holy Spirit at work within creation. At the genesis of the history of creation, God breaths the Word that becomes...
Pope: The Holy Spirit is Like Dynamite, Igniting Hearts
By Junno Arocho Esteves – When the Holy Spirit speaks to men and women through the word of those who evangelize, it ignites a power strong enough to break down the barriers that divide the...
Pope: Holy Spirit keeps Christians Young at Heart
By Cindy Wooden – The Holy Spirit keeps Christians young at heart, supporting them in times of trial and helping them praise God no matter what is going on, Pope Francis said. Celebrating morning Mass,...
Why Neglect the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Stephen Selbourne, Cape Town – Jesus left us a “programme”, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Why in heaven’s name do we neglect such a gift? God sent us his Son, and...
Pope: Christian Life is Impossible without the Holy Spirit
By Junno Arocho Esteves – Christians must allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit if they expect to live a Christian life, Pope Francis said. Only through the Spirit can men and women...
Faith Can’t Be Taught, it Must Be Caught
Stephen Clark, Manila, Philippines – My wife and I were travelling recently in the north of the Philippines. It’s still a mission territory but even though there is not always a priest around, the...
Pope: Gossip Destroys Holy Spirit’s Gift of Peace
Peace is a gift that can easily be destroyed through petty gossip and speaking ill of others, Pope Francis said. People who receive and give the sign of peace “should be men and women of peace” and not ruin “the peace made by the Holy Spirit with your tongue,”
Pope: The Holy Spirit Offers Gifts!
Pope Francis asked Catholics to recognise and be thankful for the undeserved gift of the Holy Spirit they received with the sacrament of confirmation.
Pope: Confirmation Gives Catholics Strength to be Led by God
Everyone who has received the sacrament of confirmation has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides them and gives them the strength to follow God’s will, Pope Francis said.
Without the Holy Spirit, Nothing Happens
I was an undergrad in philosophy at The Catholic University of America when I had the opportunity to attend an off-campus lecture by Rev. Alexander Schmemann, dean of St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in New...
