Cardinal Rigali's weekly message: The Word Became Flesh
The challenge of building a culture of life
Respect Life MonthBy Cardinal Justin Rigali Editor’s note: This column was written especially for the U.S. Bishops’ materials for Respect Life Month. The Cardinal’s regular column, “The Word Made Flesh,” will return next week. The effort to restore legal protection for unborn children faces new challenges, as we deal with a new administration and Congress […]
The gift of various cultures
By Cardinal Justin Rigali Several of the ethnic groups present in our Archdiocese celebrate their origins during the month of October and this gives us the opportunity to look at the multi-cultural nature of our local Church this week. The unique nature of our countryWe know that the United States possesses an identity which is […]
Thirtieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Philadelphia
By Cardinal Justin Rigali From October 1 to October 8, 1979, Pope John Paul II made his first Apostolic Journey to the United States. Since this is the thirtieth anniversary of this Journey, which included a visit to Philadelphia, I will recall it this week. God’s loving providence All of Sacred Scripture has a constant […]
Our Religious Jubilarians: celebrating fidelity
By Cardinal Justin Rigali Our recent celebration of significant jubilees among our women and men religious in the Archdiocese gives us the opportunity this week to reflect on their faithful service. Total years of serviceWe have probably all heard various claims for businesses or products which boast of the years of accumulated experience they have. […]
New words: ‘A deeper meaning, but the same Mass’
This week’s title is taken directly from the web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and it concerns the upcoming new translations of the Roman Missal, which our priests and faithful will most likely be using within the next two years. Transition from Latin to the vernacular in the LiturgyThe Constitution on […]
Parents and teachers: Handing on the faith
By Cardinal Justin Rigali As we are surrounded with thoughts of our children and young people returning to school, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the role of parents and teachers in transmitting the Faith. “First and best of teachers”During the blessing given to the mother and father of a newly baptized child […]
The Contemplative Religious Communities of our Archdiocese
I am always conscious of the great blessing we have in the contemplative Religious Communities of our Archdiocese. However, since I have, once again, visited several of them within the past few months, I would like to reflect upon their presence and mission this week. Sign of contradictionIn the second chapter of the Gospel of […]
Abortion is not health care
By Cardinal Justin Rigali There is a great deal of attention being given to current government proposals surrounding health care. While it is not the Church’s intention or desire to enter into politics, when moral principles are at stake it is part of her mission to defend the dignity of the human person. In that […]
Pope Benedict’s latest encyclical: Caritas in Veritate
By Cardinal Justin Rigali On July 7, Pope Benedict XVI published his latest encyclical letter, Caritas in Veritate, “Charity in Truth.” Although this newspaper has already printed a detailed summary of this encyclical and I have made a statement concerning it, it is timely for me to cover this topic in this week’s article as […]
Speaking of Bishops
In light of the fact that we are bidding farewell to Bishop Cistone, who has been named Bishop of Saginaw, that I am conferring Episcopal Ordination on our new Auxiliary Bishop Timothy C. Senior and celebrating the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of the new Bishop of Allentown, John O. Barres, it is appropriate this week […]