Dr George Abela

Benedict XVI’s April 17-18 visit to the Mediterranean island of Malta is inspiring many hopes in its people, says the president of that country, George Abela. President Abela spoke with Catholic news agency ZENIT about his hopes for the forthcoming Papal trip, which will mark the 1950th anniversary of St. Paul’s shipwreck.  In this interview, he discussed the Christian roots of Malta and Europe in general, the problem of immigration, the court ruling on crucifixes in schools, and other issues his Catholic-majority country has faced… Read more »

On Tuesday, 23nd March, 2010, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. visited the Junior College Campus at Msida. Archbishop Cremona celebrated Mass and met the students and staff.

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Pope John Paul II

Benedict XVI will preside next week at a Mass marking the fifth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II.

The Mass will be held March 29 instead of the actual date of the Pope’s death, the Vatican reported, because April 2 falls on Good Friday.

During the prayers of the faithful, this petition will be offered in Polish: “For the Venerable Pope John Paul II, who served the Church to the limit of his strength: So that from heaven he intercedes to spread the hope that is realized by fully participating in the glory of the resurrection.”

In German, a petition will be offered for Benedict XVI, “so that he follows in the steps of Peter, carrying out his ministry with docile and firm perseverance to sustain the faithful.”

A petition in Spanish will pray for “those here united to remember Pope John Paul II: So that we know to love and serve the Church as he loved and served, giving testimony in the faith of God and offering his love to all.”

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 23, 2010 (Zenit.org) Read more »

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Chiara Badano

The Catholic lay Focolare movement will soon have its first beatified member. Chiara Badano, who died just 20 years ago while still a teenager, will be beatified Sept. 25. Bishop Pier Giorgio Micchiardi of Acqui, Italy, announced Friday the beatification, which will take place in Rome. Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, will preside over the ceremony.

Young people of the Focolare movement will that evening celebrate Badano’s beatification in Paul VI Hall… Read more »

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

“Europe is trying to find its own identity. To create a new, lasting unity, political, economic and legal tools are important, but an ethical and spiritual renewal must also be awakene, taking inspiration from the Christian roots of the Continent”. This was stated yesterday by card. Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, as in Montecassino he celebrated the Day of Transition of Saint Benedict of Norcia… Read more »

On Friday, 19th March, 2010, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. celebrated Mass at Ta’ Loreto, Church, G’Mangia and afterwards, unveiled the monument of Mgr. Isidor Formosa, founder of the Congregation of the Ursoline Sisters.

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Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI has apologised to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland. In a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics, he acknowledged the sense of betrayal in the Church felt by victims and their families. The Pope said there had been “serious mistakes” among bishops in responding to allegations of paedophilia. The pastoral letter is the first public statement by the Vatican on the sexual abuse of children, dating back decades… Read more »