Joseph Oyewole

We live in an age marked by deep cultural shifts, spiritual confusion and growing indifference to faith. Many young people grow up without strong catholic foundations and without seeing faith lived out authentically in the home. We are witnessing what some described as a “generational amnesia” of faith. Fewer young Catholics attend Mass, understand the Church’s teachings, or even identify with their faith at all. While many factors contribute to this trend, one of the most significant is the breakdown in the catechesis in the home.

Jony Sagayaraj

In Tamil Nadu, Catholic youth are redefining what it means to live a life of faith. While older generations grew up with processions, parish festivals, and catechism classes rooted in tradition, today’s youth are integrating modern technology, social awareness, and global Catholic identity into their spiritual lives.

Pope Francis pastoral vision

Joseph Oyewole

When Pope Francis urged priests to “smell like the sheep,” he was not merely crafting a memorable phrase, he was articulating a bold vision for a church deeply rooted in the lives of its people. This simple yet striking metaphor captures the heart of his pastoral mission in a call for shepherds to walk alongside their flock, embrace their struggles and reflect the compassion of Christ amidst the realities of their daily existence.

The Oxford English Dictionary adds eleven new words from the Philippines

Genesis Labana

Looking for a word to describe the intense feeling when you see particularly a chubby cheeked baby or fluffy haired dog or cat, the irresistible urge to pinch their cheeks or squeeze them tightly? Filipinos have a perfect word for that: Gigil (pronounced ghee-ghil). This Tagalog word is now included in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), according to their website post, as part of its March 2025 update.

First used in Philippine English in the 1990s, gigil is a pithy name that perfectly captures the paradoxical emotion. It is a feeling so intense that it can manifest physically through clenched hands, gritted teeth, or even trembling. Besides its use as a noun, it can also be an adjective to describe the person experiencing it. Gigil is just one of the eleven new words from the Philippines added to the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary in its quarterly update.

Douglas Milton Logu Soosaithasan

In preparation for the Jubilee Year of the Church, celebrated under the theme of the Pilgrimage of Faith, the Italian government has undertaken numerous renovation projects to restore and highlight the beauty of Rome’s ancient monuments. Among these initiatives is the restoration of the historic pharmacy, the “Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala,” which has long attracted tourists and enthusiasts interested in exploring the traditional practices and remedies of herbal medicine.

Closed to the public since October 1, 2024, the pharmacy remains inaccessible during its restoration, which is being meticulously coordinated by the Special Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Rome.

Charlie Carpio Bardaje

“Pope Francis is a papal communicator, like no other,” says Valentina Alazraki, a Mexican journalist during the third communications conference of the Spanish Conference of Religious held in Madrid. But she is not the first one to affirm it. Many communication experts recognize his special way of conveying his message to the world. With his natural use of simple yet powerful gestures, people understood who is Francis as a pope and what kind of pontificate the world could expect from him.

Von Ryan L. Relos

The Philippines faces a growing crisis of fake news and disinformation, a problem an analyst warns “can get worse” amid the upcoming #Halalan2025 (midterm) elections. This surge of online falsehoods is not only destroying public trust in traditional media but also actively dividing Filipinos and potentially influencing the political landscape.

The ease with which fake news is produced and disseminated through modern communication tools, especially social media, amplifies its dangers, leading to a polarized nation.

Dominic Muturi Njuguna

In recent times, the Kenyan Generation Z has emerged as a formidable force in political activism. This generation, consisting of individuals born from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, has demonstrated an eagerness and ability to leverage digital platforms for social change. The recent wave of demonstrations catalyzed by the controversial 2024 Finance Bill showcased their capacity for mass mobilization.

Charlie Carpio Bardaje

The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) celebrates 150 years of existence. Founded by St. Arnold Janssen in the river bank of Maas river in Steyl, Netherlands in 1875, now the Society found its home to 79 countries over 5 continents with about 6, 000 members. The theme of the jubilee celebration is “Witnessing to the Light: from everywhere for everyone.” This highlights the identity and mission of the congregation that is an international and intercultural community of brothers and priests witnessing to the Light of the Gospel working in diverse ministries and apostolates.

Alfi Alex D Cruz

The war between Israel and Hamas which began on October 7, 2023 has resulted in many deaths and suffering of the innocents in Gaza. The brutal killing of children, women and men and taking civilians as hostages has created chaos till date. The Holy Family Parish in Gaza has become a refuge for the Christian Minorities in war-torn Gaza. The parish catered to 500 people mostly orthodox, protestant, and catholics but also some Muslim children and their families. It is interesting to know that Pope Francis, has remained in constant  touch with the suffering Holy Family Parish of Gaza.