Catholic Fire

I have never been on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but with Marge Fenelon’s new book, Our Lady ,  Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena , I feel as if I have actually traveled there. In Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena, Fenelon takes us on her Holy Land trip, as she follows Pope Francis in his historic 2014 pilgrimage to the sacred sites. She reflects on the nine sacred sites, the inspiring words of the Holy Father, and the knots that obstruct the peace there, comparing them to the common knots that prevent each of us from experiencing interior peace in our daily lives. As we travel along on the nine-day pilgrimage, Fenelon shares fervent novena prayers to Our Lady for each of the nine days. She also poses thoughtful questions which encourage us to delve deeper and to untangle the knots. The various knots include: injustice, separation, confusion, hopelessness, grief and loss, discord, betrayal, envy and pride, and affliction. The Our Lady Undoer of Knots novena is...

Auxiliary Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo of Jerusalem said during a recent interview that Pope Benedict XVI, who begins his historic visit to the Holy Land this Friday, is going to the region “to confirm his brethren in the faith, to deepen the roots of the Christian presence there, and to strengthen our relations with others.” In an interview with the magazine L’Azione, the bishop explained, “Now we still have many problems, but there is less violence right now than before. The proof is in the great number of pilgrims who are visiting our land. There is climate of non-violence,” he said. For this reason, he explained, “the Pope’s visit could contribute to improving the atmosphere and the trust between Israelis and Palestinians.” Article

Those wanting to follow Pope Benedict XVI’s historic trip to the Holy Land will be able to tune in to EWTN’s television, radio or Internet broadcasts and walk with the Pope in the footsteps of Jesus. EWTN will follow the Holy Father across the region as he visits such sites as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus Christ was baptized; the Grotto of the Annunciation, where Mary learned she would carry the Messiah; the Caritas Baby Hospital, the only pediatric hospital in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip that cares for poor children; and the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, where the Holy Father will deliver an address. Coverage will also include Pope Benedict’s meetings with numerous other heads of state and religious leaders. EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo will anchor the English coverage, and Spanish coverage will be anchored by Alejandro Bermúdez, the director of CNA and ACI Prensa. Father Daniel Cardó, an expert on the life and papacy of Pope Benedict, will also provide commen...