Pope Francis participates in the Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage and Liturgy of the Word in Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on July 26, 2022. On the second anniversary of the Pope’s visit to Canada, the Canadian bishops reprised their call for Catholics nationwide to engage in reconciliation efforts. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) President Bishop William McGrattan has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples to mark the second anniversary of Pope Francis embarking upon his penitential pilgrimage to Canada. In a July 24 CCCB communique titled a “Letter to the People of God,” the bishops outlined the...
Timothy Schmalz works on a model for a sculpture he is creating of Blessed Carlo Acutis July 18, 2024, during the National Eucharistic Congress. (OSV News photo/Natalie Hoefer, The Criterion)
Although he was deeply immersed in fashioning a life-sized bronze tribute to future saint Blessed Carlo Acutis, Canadian Catholic sculptor Timothy Schmalz keenly kept abreast of the discourse at the 10th U.S. National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. In a nation, indeed a world, that has become so polarized, the congress was a breath of fresh...
Jordan Berry, Danny Castello, Jason Penner, and Jason Kirupakaran in the Luke 15 House Chapel. All four became Catholic as a result of their time at the recovery house.(Nicholas Elbers photos)
Christ is present everywhere, but he might spend more time in some places than others. That’s what it feels like talking to some of the clients at Luke 15 Recovery House in Surrey. Despite its legal definition as a “recovery house,” program manager Clark Umengan prefers to think of the centre, which opened in 1992,...
The Sisters of Charity Halifax in the Home of the Guardian Angel, Halifax, circa 1961. Photos provided by Mary Flynn, Congregational Archivist, Sisters of Charity – Halifax
From humble beginnings when four of their Sisters arrived in Halifax from New York in the mid-19th century, the Sisters of Charity Halifax are set to mark 175 years of service on May 11. The Sisters of Charity Halifax have been serving its community’s needs in various ways since the original Sisters arrived in the...
Under the altar at the Centre Marie-Léonie Paradis in Sherbrooke, Que., lies a glass “kind of coffin-reliquary,” according to the centre, of the soon-to-be canonized and Quebec-born Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis. Photo courtesy Centre Marie-Léonie Paradis
Rome’s announcement of a third Canadian-born saint answers the prayers of Blessed Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis’ community and friends. The Quebec-born founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family will join St. Marie-Marguerite d’Youville and St. Brother André Bessette as the only Canadian-born canonized saints, the Vatican said in late January. The Friends of Mother...
Miniaturized sculpture of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Photo courtesy Timothy Schmalz
another in the long line of Christian art by renowned Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. Schmalz will be among the attractions as he crafts one of his sculptures live and on-site. He will render an immersive monument to Blessed Carlos Acutis, the late Italian Catholic web designer poised to become the first millennial canonized as a...
By Robert Kinghorn I never knew the lady’s real name. When I met her she said, “Just call me Chilli, that’s my street name.” Readers of this column will know her as “The woman who lives in a doorway downtown.” It has been 10 months since we first met. At that time, she gave...
An outdoors shot of Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario, which will celebrate 100 years of operation in 2026.
Leading up to its 100th anniversary in 2026, Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ont., is launching a major fundraising campaign to ensure it another 100 years of service to pilgrims. The national shrine to the Canadian Martyrs will kick off the campaign for this vital revitalization with its inaugural Spring Gala at Bellvue Manor in Vaughan,...
Smoke billows over Jasper. Edmonton Archbishop Richard assured the community of his prayers. (Parks Canada photo)
With Parks Canada reporting “significant damage” in Jasper, Alta., from wildfires sweeping through the national park, Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith offered prayers on behalf of the Catholic community. “Today is indeed a very sad day and I wish to convey my sorrow, solidarity and support to the people of Jasper and the parish community of Our...
A recent Cardus study says young Catholics are twice as likely as their senior counterparts to attend religious services at least once a month. (Elijah Bautista photo)
Reports of dwindling religious practice among Catholics in Canada may be more prevalent each year, but a different trend showing increased interest from young adults is giving hope for a possible resurgence of the Church in the near future. A 2022 research report from Cardus titled The Shifting Landscape of Faith in Canada revealed religious indicators among...
