The Diocese of Kumbakonam, India started in 1899 in the State of Tamil Nadu, India, has an area of 7824 sq. km and a Catholic population of 213,000 (6% of the population).  It is served by 212 Diocesan and 63 Religious Priests, 580 Nuns and 12 trained Lay Catechists.  The Diocese has certain concrete and … Continue reading Missionary Cooperative Plan Spotlight: Diocese of Kumbakonam →

Adoration and praise at a conference for lay leaders. Diocese of Mamfe The Diocese of Mamfe, in northwest Cameroon, is an extremely poor diocese, with very little economic means besides subsistence farming. Funds from the mission appeal help the diocese in their mission to provide education, health care and social welfare services, as well as … Continue reading Missionary Cooperative Plan Spotlight: Diocese of Mamfe →

Today's Readings: Romans 8:31b-39 Psalms 109:21-22,26-27,30-31 Luke 13:31-35 As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the word of God accompanies us in the ascent of Jesus to Jerusalem, where the Lord will celebrate his “exodus,” that is, the Paschal Mystery of his death and resurrection. He had already encountered and bravely overcome many … Continue reading The Final Victory →

Today's Reading: Romans 8:26-30 Psalms 13:4-6 Luke 13:22-30 It is the Holy Spirit who gathers us into the cry of all creation and of all humanity thirsting for salvation. Distracted by the daily concerns of life, we do not know what is really essential to ask. And so the Spirit nourishes in us the question … Continue reading Cry of All Creation →

Today's Readings: Romans 8:18-25 Psalms 126:1b-6 Luke 13:18-21 The psalmist, fascinated by the beauty of creation, asked himself: When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place – What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care … Continue reading Beauty of Creation →

Today's Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22 Psalms 19:2-5 Luke 6:12-19 The liturgy continues the series of feasts of the apostles, reminding us today of two who are almost unknown and whose relics are venerated in the Basilica of St. Peter, near the altar of St. Joseph. Those Twelve, symbol of a whole new people, were called by … Continue reading Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles →

Today's Readings: Sirach 35:15b-17,20-22a Psalms 34:2-3,17-19,23 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 Luke 18:9-14 The teaching of the sage Ben Sirach, heir to the age-old prophetic doctrine of justice and God’s preferential love for the poor and the oppressed, leads us to the summits of true biblical spirituality. Deuteronomy warned that God “has no favorites [and] accepts no … Continue reading Clarity in the Depths of the Human Heart →

Today's Readings: Romans 8:1-11 Psalms 24:1b-4ab,5-6 Luke 13:1-9 The teaching of Jesus in today’s Gospel begins with a story that is reported to him by some people about a group of Galileans massacred by Pilate while offering a sacrifice in the Temple. Not only was the outrage committed within the walls of the Temple, but … Continue reading The Truth of our Hearts →

Today's Readings: Romans 7:18-25a Psalms 119:66,68,76,77,93,94 Luke 12:54-59 Mention was made above of Paul’s assertion that the Law was a reason for the proliferation of sin, and of the criticisms brought against Paul by his adversaries. The Apostle’s goal, however, is simply to point out that the Law does not have, in itself, the power … Continue reading Power to Transform and Save →

Today's Readings: Romans 6:19-23 Psalms 1:1-4,6 Luke 12:49-53 The biblical texts of this liturgy offer a common theme: the freedom granted by God to every human person, the use that we make of it, and the responsibilities that follow from it. The passage from the Letter to the Romans traces a clear line between a … Continue reading Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret →