Catholic Fire

  It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee  and was baptized in the Jordan by John.  On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open  and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens,  “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” -- Mark 1: 9-11 Jesus joins the people who are going out to John the Baptist, not because he needs to repent because he has not sinned and has no sin in him. He voluntarily submits himself to the Baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." Though pure, innocent, and without sin, Our Lord allows John to baptize Him, not because He needs it, but because sinners need it. He is not purified through baptism, but He purifies the waters of baptism. By surrendering to the Father, he serves as a model for us. He invites us to share in the relationship he has with the Father, which is announced...

Mornings in Rome are quite chilly in the winter, but even so, about 35,000 people came to see Pope Francis. Despite the cold weather, families brought their children so they could get a glimpse of the Pope. As usual, he made sure the kids were warm, and he even tried to comfort a little girl, who wasn't too happy. During his catechesis, he focused on Baptism. He said whoever receives the Sacrament is called to be a missionary and disciple at all stages in life- and that includes even bishops and the Pope himself. POPE FRANCIS "It's for everyone: The youngest person is considered a missionary as is the oldest one. Some of you may ask, 'But Father, bishops aren't missionaries, they know everything and so does the Pope, they aren't disciples.' Well yes they are. Even Bishops and the Pope should be disciples, because if they're not, they're not doing good. If they are not missionaries, they are not transmitting the faith.” He explained that be...

In a setting unlike any other, Pope Francis Baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel. names stand up....... He described the Sacrament as an unbroken chain of faith that links generation to generation. POPE FRANCIS "I want to highlight one thing. You are transmitters of faith. You have the responsibility of passing on the faith to your children.” As a Vatican employee, Massimo Cara and his wife Cristina, saw their 4 month-old baby girl,  Baptized by Pope Francis, precisely on the date when the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. MASSIMO CARA Gendarmeria Vaticana "When you think about it, our faith is the most important inheritance you can give your children.” He says the homily was short, but direct and the message really hit home. MASSIMO CARA Gendarmeria Vaticana "When you have the gift of faith, everything else, especially materialism, is just in the background.” For six years, Paolo de Angelis has worked at the Vatican. Eve...

( Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis on Wednesday reflected on the great gift we received when we were baptized. Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience, the Pope began a series of catecheses on the Sacraments, starting with Baptism. He said that the Second Vatican Council tells us that the Church herself is a “Sacrament”, a grace-filled sign which makes Christ’s saving work present in history, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And speaking of Baptism, the first of the Church’s seven Sacraments, Pope Francis said “it gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of his death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of his Church”. He urged us not to forget the great gift we have received. “Our baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of...

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis called on the faithful Wednesday to humbly ask forgiveness every time they sin. As part of his catechesis during this Wednesday's General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis said, like Baptism, which washes away original sin and personal sin, the Sacrament of Confession can “open the door to a new life” as the merciful God “enters our lives.” The Pope invited Catholics to renew the grace of Baptism by going to Confession often and with a contrite heart: “The Church teaches us to confess our sins with humility, because only in forgiveness, received and given, do our restless hearts find peace and joy.” “Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today I would like to continue our catechesis on the Creed by turning to the Sacrament of Baptism. Each Sunday when making our Profession of Faith, we pray: I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Let us look at each of these words. I confess – This solemn declaration highlights the importance of ...

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