Tag: Pope Francis

Being Loved

Reflections on Pope Francis

Smitten With Goodness

April 10, 2024 Wednesday General Audience, St. Peter’s Square (Personal Photo)

By Jacquelyne Rocan

Like so many throughout the world, I enjoyed a beautiful Easter celebration on April 20, rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and His triumph over death.  I watched the coverage of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, preside over the Urbi et Orbi message from Rome and then travel throughout St. Peter’s Square in the Popemobile to give his blessings to those gathered in the square.  It was a beautiful moment of love and I thought a good sign that the pope was continuing to heal after his recent health issues and long hospital stay.

Continue reading “Reflections on Pope Francis” →
Inspiring Goodness

Shining a Light on Goodness. The Empty Tomb: Easter with Mary Magdalene and Elizabeth Ann Seton

Smitten With Goodness

With St. Mary Magdalene, let us accept Christ’s ‘Do not touch me’ with the certainty that His words give us a new mission, and a new way to be with Him, just as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton met the hardships of her life with renewed faith and strength. Written by Lisa Lickona from the Seton Reflection published last year.  

Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection, Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806 – 1858)

This year we celebrate our great and holy Feast, the Resurrection of Our Lord, in the most unexpected circumstances, most of us separated from physical participation in the Mass and the opportunity to receive Communion.

We are cut off from our family and friends and our parish communities. And we wonder: how can we live in this new situation, separated from the Body of God—both in the Eucharist and the living Church?

Continue reading “Shining a Light on Goodness. The Empty Tomb: Easter with Mary Magdalene and Elizabeth Ann Seton” →
Inspiring Goodness

Shining a Light on Goodness: We Adore You, O Christ, and We Praise You

Smitten With Goodness
One of the drawings created by the children
of the “Mater Divini Amoris” Family Home and the “Tetto Casal Fattoria” Family Home

As was the case last year during the beginning of the pandemic closures, this year’s Stations of the Cross (or Via Crucis) presided over by Pope Francis were held in the quiet and virtually empty St. Peter’s Square.  This year, though, the mediations and prayers for each Station were prepared and read by children from Rome and other Italian cities.  The faith and hope expressed by these children are profound and moving and are worthy of further reflection during this Easter season.  As a complement to the text of the meditations and prayers provided here, you can watch a video of the Stations and hear the children’s sweet voices, as well as see several of the children greet Pope Francis with hugs after the Stations concluded. 

Continue reading “Shining a Light on Goodness: We Adore You, O Christ, and We Praise You” →
Inspiring Goodness

New Life and Consolation Our Easter Celebration Continues

Smitten With Goodness

Amid the many hardships we are enduring, let us never forget that we have been healed by the wounds of Christ. In the light of the Risen Lord, our sufferings are now transfigured. Where there was death, now there is life. Where there was mourning, now there is consolation.

Pope Francis
Continue reading “New Life and Consolation Our Easter Celebration Continues” →
Inspiring Goodness

Inspiring Goodness: St. Joseph

Smitten With Goodness

As I am in the remaining few weeks of Lent where he is purifying my heart, I want to honor St. Joseph, my saint buddy who is helping me see God’s goodness working in my life.  I am in awe with his surrender to God’s will and his trust and confidence in what he heard.  Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of Mary during this Year of St. Joseph designated by Pope Francis.

Continue reading “Inspiring Goodness: St. Joseph” →