St. Francis of Assisi Archives - Page 4 of 5

Animals too should have a place at Mass

Dec 8, 2016

There is apparently nothing in Canon Law against the idea of pets and other animals being at Mass. We already have animals in church when, especially on the feast of St. Francis, they receive blessings from a priest, so why not expand the idea?

By Charles C. Camosy

Lessons in Catholic culture from the Vatican’s nativity scene

Nov 27, 2016

The iconography of Christmas, especially the nativity scene, is central to Catholic culture, especially in Rome. Herewith, then, three things one can learn about Catholicism from observing the special place that the nativity scene occupies in Catholic hearts.

By John L. Allen Jr.

A reminder that this Jesuit pope is also highly Franciscan

Nov 3, 2016

Yes, Pope Francis is a Jesuit to his core, from his spirituality to his leadership style, and that’s especially clear now as the Jesuits meet in Rome. Yet there’s a sense in which, despite that Jesuit background, this is nonetheless also a deeply “Franciscan” papacy.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Catholic Church in Maine to give blessing to pets

Oct 9, 2016

Explaining the decision to welcome pets into Catholic Churches around the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, one parish in Maine explained, “The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.”

By Associated Press

As violence erupts in Kashmir, Catholic leaders call days of prayer

Oct 6, 2016

As violence erupts anew along the India/Pakistan border over the disputed province of Kashmir, Catholic leaders are urging calm, with Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, declaring a day of prayer for peace and reconciliation.

By Nirmala Carvalho

A pope named Francis proves boon for Assisi tourism

Sep 17, 2016

This week, Pope Francis will make his third visit to Assisi since his election to the papacy. The “Francis effect” on the town appears to be real: a spokesman said that since the pope’s first visit in 2013, the number of visitors to Assisi has risen from 4.5 million to 6 million a year.

By Josephine McKenna