Gonzalo and three of his friends earn pocket money in a rather unusual way for most university students. He sings in a traditional Spanish band, entering restaurants in a town northwest of Madrid known for its splendid history — San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It is here where King Philip II of Spain built a…
Sport is not simply an escape from reality. It is also preparation for reality writes, writes Fr Barry White As the FIFA World Cup kicks off today, June 11, 2026, across North America, many of us will spend the weeks ahead captivated by the drama that only a World Cup can provide: stunning goals, heroic…
Pope Leo XIV delivered a comprehensive pro-life message on Monday in an address to members of the Spanish parliament, urging lawmakers to defend the unborn and the migrant and to opt for peace over war through dialogue free of inflammatory rhetoric. Speaking at the Congress of Deputies – Spain’s lower legislative house – on June…
On June 11 each year, the Church celebrates the feast of St Barnabas who is identified in Scripture as ‘the son of encouragement’. It is one of the highest compliments to be paid – to be known and remembered as someone who gave encouragement to others. The first mention of Barnabas in Scripture comes in…
Mar dheisceabal ag leanúint ár dTiarna Íosa Chríost nach é an ceist is mó ná ‘cén fáth go bhfuil fulaingt in ár shaol in aon chor?’ Tá trí dúshlán ann dúinn. Ba mhaith leis iad a bheith ar eolas againn mar tá siad tabhachtach d’aon duine a theastaíonn uatha Íosa a leanúint. Creidim féin go…
There’s a lyric in a song by Gordon Lightfoot which tries to interpret the struggle going on in the heart of Miguel de Cervantes’ mythical hero, Don Quixote. His goodness separates him from the world, even as he understands that wickedness has the same source, namely, that both “the wise and wicked feed upon life’s…
Q: Is six months of donations to a parish a normal requirement for baptising a baby in the parish? A: You are correct that the Church teaches that newborn infants should be baptised as soon as reasonably possible. While the Church doesn’t give us a strict time limit, Canon 867 of the Code of Canon…
A patient lies unconscious in the intensive care unit. Days have passed without improvement. An artificial intelligence (AI) system, having analysed vast amounts of clinical data, concludes that the likelihood of recovery is extremely low. It recommends withdrawing life support. The medical team studies the report. It seems detailed, logical and persuasive. Yet at the…
The good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ The Gospel Matthew 9:36 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; Matthew 9:38 therefore…
One of the most beautiful homilies of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate to date was delivered May 8, 2026, the first anniversary of his election. Pope Leo marked the occasion by visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of Pompeii, “to place my service under the protection of the…
Fr Barry White
Fr Ronald Rolheiser