Burying a friend in college is not something you ever expect to have to do. Saying my final goodbye to my dear friend Franco Garcia and laying his body to rest were the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. My friends here at BC and the entire Garcia family were incredibly touched by the [...]
Easter has come, Alleluia! We conclude our Lenten penance and fasting and joyously celebrate the resurrection of our savior. The subsequent Easter Season, extending 50 days from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, includes many feasts and celebrations. The first, following Easter week, is Divine Mercy Sunday, formally established by Pope John Paul II on April 30, [...]
As law enforcement and a private investigator advance the search for missing BC student Franco Garcia, WCAS ’12, Franco’s family and friends turn to prayer. Numerous prayer services, vigils, and Masses have been offered for the intention of Garcia’s safety and speedy return. Boston College campus ministry dedicated the intention of every Mass prayed on [...]
Recently, The Observer spoke to Fr. McNellis about his experience at Boston College. Before coming to BC to teach in the Perspectives program in the fall of 2000, Fr. McNellis was a professor of political philosophy and social ethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. The oldest of nine children, Fr. McNellis “was [...]
Catholics participating in Mass on November 27th will experience the first use of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, a new translation recently prepared and distributed to parishes. Pope John Paul II announced the revision of the Missale Romanum over a decade ago, during the Jubilee Year 2000. This revision includes prayers for the observances of [...]
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is often portrayed as a dove. In the Old Testament story of Noah and the Ark, the dove brought back a branch, symbolizing signs of life. In the Nicene Creed, Catholics profess believe in “The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from [...]
In the hierarchy of the church, the ecclesiastical princes are called Cardinals, senior ecclesiastical officials who counsel the pope. As a collective group, they form the College of Cardinals, which serves the function of electing a new pontiff when necessary. Individually cardinals are bishops or archbishops of dioceses and some administer departments of the Roman [...]
The word “catholic” means universal, implying that the Faith is spread across the world through all countries and has therefore been adapted into the various cultures of the world. Though the Scripture readings and form of the Mass may be the same universally, the individual cultures are expressed and represented in the way people worship. [...]
In the O’Brien Fine Print Room and Thompson Room of Burns Library, over fifty books from the Jesuitica Collection are on display for the exhibition “Binding Friendship: Ricci, China and Jesuit Cultural Learnings” honoring Matteo Ricci, S.J. and his mission in China. Ricci, born in Italy in 1552, is famous for his missionary work in [...]
One of the most famous western Church Fathers is Augustine of Hippo, a philosopher and bishop from the Roman African Province. Augustine lived from 354-430, born in what is modern day Algeria. Augustine is the son of Saint Monica, who prayed for his conversion during his tumultuous youth. As he recorded in his well-known work, [...]
