Last month, we had the opportunity to interview Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio, who was a Ph.D. student of then-Professor Joseph Ratzinger in Germany over 50 years ago.

Father Fessio and Pope Benedict XVI had a successful and fruitful partnership in many ways. Of the 66 books that Pope Benedict wrote throughout his life, most of the English versions were published by Father Fessio’s creation, Ignatius Press. If we were to survey all the writings of this prodigious professor/scholar-pastor/theologian, where would we start?

With the snow lingering on the north side ground, it’s hard to imagine that spring will soon be here.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands. it will become our spiritual drink.

— From the Roman Missal: Preparation of the Gifts.

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,

El 22 de febrero celebramos el Miércoles de Ceniza y el comienzo de la Cuaresma. 

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Feb. 22, we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  The season of Lent is a wonderful time for the Church to reflect more deeply upon what meaning our lives now have because of Christ’s suffering, dying and rising.