The book A Politics of Peace: The Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs during the pontificate of Benedict XV (1914-1922) is the result of years of research by the historian Rev. Dr Nicholas Joseph Doublet on this important structure of the Roman Curia during a pontificate that coincided with a delicate moment in world history.

The Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs can be considered the political ‘think tank’ of the Roman Curia as it was responsible for the Vatican’s bi-lateral relations with other states, as well as treating delicate ecclesiastical issues in the local churches… Read more »

Pope Francis lets an elderly lady kiss his pectoral cross  (Vatican Media)

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Beatitudes at the Wednesday General Audience, reflecting on the third: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. The official English-language summary is below:

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now consider the third Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).  Scripture uses the term “meek” for the poor and the dispossessed of the land.  Jesus’ statement that the meek will inherit the earth can thus seems contradictory.  Yet the Lord tells us that the meek will inherit the earth.  The Beatitude ultimately points us to the heavenly homeland promised to the children of God.  For Jesus, the meek are those who have learned to guard the territory of their relationship with God and preserve his gifts of peace, mercy and fraternity.  Sin can destroy this inheritance, for the hatred and division that flow from sin are destructive.  Meekness, on the other hand, preserves this inheritance, enables it to grow and wins the hearts of others by love, kindness and friendship.  By imitating the meekness of Christ, may we help to extend his kingdom and come to receive the inheritance promised to us by the Beatitude… Read more »

(xellug) Dun Robert Grech, Dun Mario Mangion, l-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, Dun Josef Mifsud u Dun Christopher Ellul. (Wara xellug) Dun John Muscat u Dun Ewkarist Zammit.

Il-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani tal-Knisja f’Malta ħatar Kunsill ġdid għas-snin 2020 – 2022 fil-laqgħa tal-Kulleġġ tat-12 ta’ Frar. Il-Kunsill tal-Kappillani huwa ffurmat minn seba’ membri tal-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani li hu magħmul mis-70 kappillan tal-parroċċi f’Malta. Il-membri tal-Kunsill il-ġdid huma:

President: Dun Mario Mangion (l-Arċipriet ta’ San Ġorġ, Ħal Qormi)
Viċi President: Dun Ewkarist Zammit (l-Arċipriet ta’ San Sebastjan, Ħal Qormi)
Segretarju tal-Kulleġġ: Dun Robert Grech (il-Kappillan tas-Swatar)
Kaxxier: Dun John Muscat (il-Kappillan ta’ Paola Lourdes)
Segretarju tal-Kunsill: Dun Josef Mifsud (l-Arċipriet tas-Siġġiewi)
Membri: Dun Christopher Ellul (l-Arċipriet Ħal Tarxien) u Dun Reuben Micallef (il-Kappillan Pembroke)

Il-Kunsill huwa responsabbli li janalizza l-ħwejjeġ li jolqtu l-ħidma pastorali fil-parroċċi u t-tmexxija tal-Kulleġġ u jkun ta’ għajnuna għall-Arċisqof u għall-kappillani kollha fil-ħidma pastorali tagħhom… Read more »

Pope Francis waves to crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus  (Vatican Media)

Pope Francis reflects on the Gospel reading for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which deals with the fulfilment of the Law.

Pope Francis on Sunday told the faithful that God came into the world to give us His Grace so we can do His will, and he explained that through His law, Jesus teaches us true freedom and responsibility… Read more »

Nhar it-Tlieta, 11 ta’ Frar 2020 ġiet ċelebrata l-Festa tan-Nawfraġju ta’ San Pawl f’Malta permezzz ta’ Quddiesa solenni fil-Knisja ta’ Santa Maria fi Trasportina ta’ Via della Conciliazione presjeduta minn Patri Karmelitan Michael Farrugia. Miegħu kkonċelebraw 12-il saċerdot Malti. Għaċ-ċelebrazzjoni attendew l-Ambaxxatur Malti għall-istat Taljan Joseph Cuschieri, l-istaff tal-Ambaxxata Maltija f’Ruma u komunità mdaqqsa ta’ Maltin li jgħixu Ruma.  Read more »

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During the month of February, ŻAK (the youth section of the Catholic Action) is organising a number of events titled #90YearsofService. This campaign is part of the 90th anniversary celebrations which commemorate the setting up the Catholic Action in Malta. This event will bring together a large number of young people who will be carrying out some form of voluntary work, with other people in need or to improve society or the environment we are living in… Read more »

Pope Francis greets an indigenous woman in Puerto Maldonado, Peru

The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon Region has been published. The document traces new paths of evangelization and care for the environment and the poor. Pope Francis hopes for a new missionary thrust, and encourages the role of the laity within the ecclesial community.

“The beloved Amazon region stands before the world in all its splendour, its drama and its mystery.” Thus begins the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Querida Amazonía… Read more »

Pope Francis at the weekly general audience at the Vatican, 12.01.2020

At the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Beatitudes. This week, he reflects on the second Beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”. Below is the official English-language summary:

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now turn to the second proclamation: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt 5:4).  Such mourning – described by the desert Fathers with the Greek word “penthos” – is more than mere grief: it is an interior sorrow that can open us to an authentic relationship with the Lord and with each other.  The Bible speaks of two types of such sorrow.  The first is the pain we feel when faced with the suffering or death of our brothers and sisters.  The second involves mourning for sin.  Both are grounded in loving concern for others, but above all in love for God.  Sorrow for sin – as seen in Saint Peter’s tears after his betrayal of Jesus – comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit the Comforter.  Let us continually ask for the grace to grieve for our sins and to be open to the healing grace of the Spirit, so that we can comfort others with the same consolation that we ourselves have received… Read more »