archives
Pope in France: The Cross, Mary, and hope for 'new vigor' in the Church
Posted on Sep 14, 2008 03:53am CST.By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Lourdes, France
On the Catholic calendar, today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and during a Mass in Lourdes this morning Pope Benedict XVI delivered a powerful meditation on the Christian understanding of suffering.
The pope also continued his reflection on Mary, marking the 150th anniversary of what believers regard as the 18 appearances of Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto of Lourdes in 1858.
Pope in France: Traditionalists deserve 'a place in the church'
Posted on Sep 14, 2008 10:57am CST.By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Lourdes, France
Catholicism is legendarily keen on tradition, which means there’s a traditionalist wing of the church pretty much everywhere. Nowhere else, however, are traditionalists so visible, and, at times, so fractious, as in France, making it all but inevitable that Pope Benedict XVI would address their signature issue while here – the old Latin Mass.
Pope in France: Eucharist is Jesus 'past, present and future'
Posted on Sep 14, 2008 12:02pm CST.By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Lourdes, France
Pope Benedict XVI offered a prayerful mediation on the Eucharist this evening in Lourdes, calling the consecrated host “the eternal presence of the savior of mankind to his church.â€
The pope spoke at the close of a Eucharistic procession in Lourdes, the French site made famous by the appearances of the Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
