Fire chaplain helped save religious artifacts from burning cathedral

PARIS (CNS) — A hero emerging from the Notre Dame Cathedral fire April 15 is Fr. Jean-Marc Fournier, chaplain of the Paris Fire Brigade, who is credited with saving a reliquary containing the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament from the burning cathedral.

Be servants to one another, pope tells prisoners before washing feet

ROME (CNS) — Jesus’ gesture of washing His disciples’ feet, an act once reserved to servants and slaves, is one that all Christians, especially bishops, must imitate, Pope Francis told hundreds of inmates and prison employees on Holy Thursday.

Jesus’ Passion spurs intimate look at premature death, its risks

Jesus was no stranger to suffering, both mental and physical, but none of life's woes moved Him to expedite His death beyond God's timeline.

Pope to priests: Best place to be is among the people

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just as Jesus always sought to be with the people to serve, teach and heal them, so, too, must priests always be in the midst of God’s people, “pouring ourselves out” for them, Pope Francis said.

Hope from the ashes: Notre Dame fire showed that beauty still matters, say experts

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As people in Paris and around the world watched in horror as flames consumed the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral, the blaze also stirred genuine emotions that could come only from witnessing the loss of beauty, art historian Elizabeth Lev said.

Pope’s Way of Cross will shine light on women ‘crucified’ by traffickers

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Countless women and girls are being “crucified” by human traffickers, who trick them into slave labor or prostitution, and by those who seek out their services and exploit them, said the missionary nun who wrote the meditations for Pope Francis’ Way of the Cross service.

Foot-care ministry offers physical relief, friendship to the homeless

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Rodger placed his backpack next to a chair, sat down and unlaced worn-out shoes. "They told me there are going to...

God’s glory is shown on the cross, pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The glory of God is not manifested with fanfare and applause but displayed through the love of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, Pope Francis said.

Holy Week, Easter provide new beginnings

When you get right down to it, the message of Easter is one of hope. Jesus is victorious over sin and death and offers each of us the gift of new life.

After difficult year, bishop urges priests to build up one another during annual Chrism...

“Beloved sons … are you resolved to renew in the presence of your bishop and God’s holy people, the promises you once made?” asked Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted as the more than 100 priests standing in the pews of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral before him listened, then each answered in unison, “I am.”