“The joys and hopes” – Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II) begins its 50th year – How does the church based on a document two thousand years old, relate that past to the present?” There are two joyful authoritative answers to that “Gaudium et Spes” and “Evangelii Gaudium”.
Evangelii Gaudium
Pope urges activists to struggle against ‘structural causes’ of poverty
Pope Francis urged an international gathering of grassroots social activists to struggle against the “structural causes” of poverty and inequality, with a “revolutionary” program drawn from the Gospels.
Go Out To All The World
Just as the members of the early Church were called to bring 'The Way' to all peoples of the day, so are we called to...
Ambiguity – Being credible and the common good
Digital artist Sr. Ellen LaCapria, D.C. offers a visual aid to enter into contemplation about ambiguity. This image arose from her reflection on #65 in Pope Francis’ Gospel of Joy and is the fourth installment of her weekly artistic variations on her community seal....
“Are you listening?”
As part of her ongoing series devoted to visual prayer digital artist Sr. Ellen LaCapria, D.C. offers another visual aid to enter into contemplation about the art of listening. This image arose from her reflection on Pope Francis’ Gospel of Joy and is the third...
“The Excluded Are Still Waiting”
Digital artist Sr. Ellen LaCapria, D.C. offers a visual aid to enter into contemplation about those excluded and trapped in cycles of poverty. This image arose from her reflection on Pope Francis' Gospel of Joy. This is the second installment of her weekly artistic...
Benedict defends Francis economic critique!
The blog EthikaPolitika reports on Pope Emeritus Benedict's vigorous defense of Pope Francis regarding accusations of Marxism stemming from anti-market language employed in Evangelii Gaudium. The article points to a statement overlooked by the mainstream media in...
What Does Francis Want?
It probably comes as no surprise that in his first Apostolic Exhortation, Pope Francis has hit on some fundamental "Vincentian" themes. This brief reflection is aimed at Vincentian small Christian community leaders, catechists, and preachers. My perspective is drawn...
Pope Francis, Dom Helder Camara – Saints or Marxists?
Pope - Saint or Marxist . As Dom Helder Camara, another prophetic archbishop from Latin America, famously observed, "When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist." Some things never change. Of course no one...
Seriously… outside my comfort zone???
Lisa Hedley of Catholic Mom is offering daily reflections on what strikes her as she read Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium. Today's reflection ... "Seriously, Pope Francis? You’re calling me to venture out of my comfort zone? The answer is “Yes“. If we’re to call...
Gaudium Evangelii – Vincentian Challenge
After reading Pope Francis' exhortation I can appreciate why someone is reported to have said that it is best read on one's knees. I have also found so many themes that Vincent, Louise, Frederic, Elizabeth and all our holy ones lived by. I was going to try to make...
Marian prayer of Pope Francis
Mother of the Living Gospel ~ A Prayer of Pope Francis Pope Francis concludes “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel) with a prayer for the intercession of Mary as the church evangelizes. He writes of her presence at the stable in Bethlehem and the cross at...
