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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Love thy Neighbor
In the year 1886 in my home country of Uganda when Christianity had been introduced in the country for around 20 years, the King of Buganda then, Mwanga, issued an order that there was not to be any more practice of the faith in his kingdom. He ordered all who had embraced the faith and were practicing it to renounce it or he would put them to death.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Yesterday, I asked several of my co-workers a question about the Our Father prayer. I asked each of them when you pray the words: “…thy Kingdom come thy will be done and earth as it is in heaven…”—what does the part “thy will be done” make you think of? Three people said in so many words: I think about God having a plan. Each of them finds a sense of peace and reassurance in knowing that God has it all figured out. So, what do you think about when you say to God the Father: “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” ---what comes into your mind? What are you or I signing onto when we make that prayer?
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Michelangelo is widely regarded as one of history's most exceptional artists. His masterpieces, including "Pieta," "David," "Moses," and "The Last Judgment," are celebrated for their unparalleled beauty and perfection. Among his remarkable achievements is the series of frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Legend has it that while meticulously painting these frescoes, lying on his back for countless hours to perfect every detail, a friend questioned the necessity of such effort for artwork that would be viewed from afar. The friend asked, "Who will notice if it's perfect or not?" Michelangelo, renowned for his commitment to excellence, simply replied, "I will." This wasn’t about external validation; it was about internal integrity. It was about a deep-seated need to be authentic in every stroke of his brush, to create something true to the vision within him. This same principle, this pursuit of authenticity, is vital to our spiritual lives. Without it, our spiritual endeavors lack depth and nourishment. True spiritual growth blossoms from a foundation of credibility and authenticity.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
The Holy Father has proclaimed 2025 a Jubilee Year, a sacred time of renewal, reflection, and grace celebrated every 25 years. This year's theme is "Pilgrims of Hope," which invites all Catholics to embark on a journey of faith and transformation. Today, we're called to reflect and pray for all those involved in the World of Communications. Traditionally, this involved radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. Now, the world of communications has exploded to include the digital world, allowing people to communicate with people worldwide who share their particular interests.
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On January 23, we remember and pray to Saint Marianne Cope, a religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York. Sister Cope served as a principal and teacher in New York schools and helped establish two Catholic hospitals. From there, she went to Hawaii to serve the lepers of Molokai, where she met and assisted Saint Damien for thirty-five years.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
The Letter to the Hebrews draws our attention to a fascinating and mysterious biblical figure—Melchizedek. Though his appearances in Scripture are brief, his significance is profound, mentioned briefly in Genesis, celebrated in the Psalms, and expounded upon in the Letter to the Hebrews, offering us a deeper understanding of Christ’s eternal priesthood and God’s plan for humanity. Melchizedek first emerges in Genesis 14 as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. After Abraham’s victorious battle, Melchizedek greets him with bread and wine and blesses him. In return, Abraham offers Melchizedek a tithe of his spoils. This brief encounter is packed with meaning. The name Melchizedek translates to “king of righteousness,” while his title, king of Salem, means “king of peace.” These titles, righteousness, and peace, point us to Jesus, the ultimate King, and High Priest.
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