Reflections & Homilies

A special Holy Week episode of the All Kinds of Catholic podcast will be released on Wednesday. The guest, Jim, has wide-ranging interests and expertise. Podcast host Theresa Alessandro explained, 'The Holy Week and Easter liturgies are so full of emotion that I thought it would be an interesting contrast to talk to a scientist about how they experience this time in the church's year.' When aske... Read More

Cardinal Vincent Nichols delivered this homily today for the Chrism Mass at Westminster Cathedral. In this solemn Mass of Chrism, our eyes are firmly fixed on the person of Jesus, the anointed one, the Christ. It is he, the anointed High Priest, who gives us, the Church, our fundamental character and mission. Today we seek renewal in our priesthood, both that which arises from our baptism and that... Read More

Parish Priest Fr Dominic Robinson delivered this homily at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, Mayfair on Palm Sunday: Hosanna… the Messiah has arrived to save us, but come Wednesday the fear, doubt, betrayal… condemnation… death on a cross… we turn on our saviour and crucify him. Where are we in this crowd? Maybe take that away with us this weekend - what is my reaction ... Read More

Palm Sunday April 13th 2025 A place of many contradictions. As we enter into Holy Week, helped on our spiritual journey by the celebration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we find ourselves in a place of many contradictions. In the Roman rite the Palm Sunday Liturgy begins with a commemoration of Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, halting near the Mount of Olives, and asking two of his ... Read More

Tomorrow, Palm Sunday, the Christian community in Ireland, and around the world, will celebrate Holy Week which culminates on Easter Sunday. Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland shared the following message today: In his gospel account of the resurrection, th... Read More

In Pope Francis' prepared catechesis for the weekly General Audience, which was not held due to his ongoing convalescence at Casa Santa Marta, he urges the faithful to give up all burdens weighing down their hearts, in order to experience the peace and joy that comes from the Lord's unconditional love. In his catechesis, focusing on encounters in Jesus' life, the Pope reflected on the biblical epi... Read More

Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary Year C Holy craftiness! We move soon to the commemoration of those last days in the life of Jesus, John's gospel story of the adulterous woman brought before Jesus, might at first glance seem slightly incongruous within this framework of dramatic events, but that is not a good viewpoint, for in its setting, context and activity, this story reveals a number of key e... Read More

As Pope Francis convalesces in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta, after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 23 March, he has called on the faithful to never lose hope, even when we feel incapable of change. While his medical team have recommended two months of rest to recover from the serious bout of double pneumonia, the Pope has prepared a catecheses for the Wednesday ... Read More

In a video message with his prayer intention for April, the Pope urges putting technology at the service of everyone, especially those most in need. "How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!" This is the Holy Father's desire that he shares in his April video, produced by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network in collaboration with Coronation Media, with th... Read More

30 March 2025 Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C We know all too well the parable of the two sons and the father, variously called, the 'Prodigal Son' or the`Merciful Father'. I have often reflected on the characters in the story and frequently have used Rembrandt's famous image of that son being welcomed back by a loving father. It's a story with many layers, at the heart of it is one we can identify ... Read More

The toughness of Jesus There is no doubt that Jesus was extremely tough and sometimes harsh. He stood up against powerful bullies, and he was not afraid to confront others whenever he encountered injustice and abuse. Jesus' toughness has led some Christians to justify their "toughness" towards others whom they dislike or disagree with, regardless of the context. The "sin" of empathy In some Christ... Read More

As Pope Francis convalesces in his residence at Casa Santa Marta after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, he has called on the faithful to never lose hope, for God always grants us the possibility of starting over. The Pope wrote this in the text he prepared for Wednesday's General Audience. Since his medical team discharged the Pope, calling for two months of rest for a prop... Read More

Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ gave the following homily on St Oscar Romero during Evensong at St Alban's Cathedral on Sunday, 23 March 2025, the anniversary of his martyrdom. Scripture Texts: Romans 8.35-end John 15.18-21 In his Letter to the Romans, Paul lists the things that people tend to fear the most: hardship, distress, persecution, famine, the nakedness of poverty and insecurity, danger and violence... Read More

Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald M.Afr. gave the following talk on the Day of Martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero, Saturday, 22 March, 2025, at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square. All my hope on God is founded. On this day when we are celebrating the anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Romero, which falls actually on Monday 24 March, we are concentrating on HOPE, because we badly need H... Read More