Catholic Fire

The Inaugural Mass of the Pontificate for Pope Francis took place on March 19, Saint Joseph's Day. Joseph is one of  Pope Francis' most beloved saints. He explained why during his trip to the Philippines in January. POPE FRANCIS January 16, 2015 (Philippines) "I have great love for Saint Joseph, because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table I have an image of Saint Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church!” Pope Francis advised people to leave a "note" under the image of the saint for help whenever they have a problem. POPE FRANCIS January 16, 2015 (Philippines) "Joseph’s rest revealed God’s will to him. In this moment of rest in the Lord, as we pause from our many daily obligations and activities, God is also speaking to us.” St. Joseph is described in the Gospel as a discreet but determined man, virtues that Pope Francis values. POPE FRANCIS January 16, 2015 (Philippines) "But like Saint Jo...

A statue of Pope John Paul II which stands more than six and a half feet tall and weighs more than 1,100 lbs. was unveiled at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney last Saturday. A group of Italian immigrants in Sydney raised about $100,000 in a series of fundraising concerts to commission the statue from Italian sculptor Firenzo Bacci, the Catholic Weekly reports. It was commissioned in October 2007 and arrived in Sydney in January. Monsignor Dino Fragiacomo, a local parish priest, said the Italian community wanted to donate a “beautiful and lasting reminder” of the Pope. "Pope John Paul II meant so much to the youth and people all over the world," he said. "The statue was donated to remember him and the renewal of consecration to Our Lady.” "The statue is beautiful, mystical in its own way and I'm sure will be admired by those who come to the cathedral," said the monsignor. Monsignor Fragiacomo said the Italian community has “nothing but praise for the statue,” ...