"It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others," Pope Francis said in his address prior to presiding over the Eucharistic Adoration and then imparting an extraordinary 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from Saint Peter's Square.
A brief history of the months Saint Josemaria spent in forced confinement amid the Spanish Civil War, with excerpts from the meditations he preached during those days.
In his preaching, the "saint of ordinary life" often made small suggestions on how to get along with others. Here is a selection of his ideas that could help at this time.
During these days of quarantine, most of us find it very difficult to go to confession. Perhaps a return to normalcy is still far off, but the moment God sees that we are repentant, He hurries towards us, excited and proud that we are returning home.
The Apostolic Penitenciary has announced that "the gift of special Indulgences is granted to the faithful suffering from COVID-19 disease, commonly known as Coronavirus, as well as to health care workers, family members and all those who care for them in any capacity, including through prayer." It also reminds the faithful of the possibility of collective absolution in times of emergency.
During these days, in many places throughout the world the public celebration of the Eucharist has been suspended. But we can still make many spiritual Communions throughout the day to express our impatient love.
It may be physically impossible for some of us to go to a church over the next few weeks. But you can still follow the Mass through digital means. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.
Pope Francis left the Vatican on Sunday to visit two important pilgrimage sites in Rome to pray for the world in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.
In Italy, the coronavirus has caused a lot of suffering as well as a lot of boredom. Some young people are connecting electronically to support one another during these exceptional circumstances.
Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz offers some practical guidelines for confronting this extraordinary situation. "The Communion of Saints leads us to make our own what affects the others, because 'if one member suffers, all suffer with him.'"
With the spread of the coronavirus, authorities in many countries are asking citizens to reduce social activity as much as possible and to remain at home. This article offers a few ideas on how to face this extraordinary situation.
