Preaching and Veneration: A Mission about Saint Augustine of Hippo
July 15, 2015
With a major, first-class relic of one of Catholic Christianity’s most important figures on loan from the Vatican to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine, a three-day Mission will be offered from Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22. Read More
Day of the Portiuncula Indulgence is August 2
July 14, 2015
by Brandon Duncan It was on Feb. 24, 1208, when St. Francis of Assisi received the command from God to rebuild his church. Though not quite the "church" God had asked St. Francis to rebuild at the time, the little chapel of the Portiuncula (or “little portion of land”) as it was known, was presented to St. Francis by the Benedictines in 1211. It was in this little chapel where St. Francis lived and later died on October 3, 1226. Read More
Catholics Welcome Relic of Saint Augustine to Cathedral Basilica
July 8, 2015
by Margo C. Pope St. Augustine Catholic The first viewing of a first-class relic of Saint Augustine of Hippo, patron saint of this city, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine, and the diocese, was greeted Tuesday by more nearly 500 people at Solemn Vespers. It is on loan from the Vatican Treasury for the city and Cathedral Parish’s 450th Anniversary celebration. Read More
Diocese of St. Augustine Receives Major Relic of Saint Augustine of Hippo from the Vatican
July 1, 2015
After more than four years of planning and coordination with officials in Italy and at the Vatican, the Diocese of St. Augustine has acquired a first-class relic of our patron saint, Augustine of Hippo. It is on loan to the diocese for the 450th Anniversary celebration of the City of St. Augustine and the founding of America’s first Catholic Parish. Read More
Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage by Bishop Felipe J. Estévez
June 26, 2015
The U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong today when it redefined marriage and now forces states to license and recognize marriages between two persons of the same sex. Man and woman were designed by God for each other, and only a man and woman can form a union that brings forth children. Read More
Pope Francis Releases Encyclical on Ecology
June 17, 2015
Context for the Encyclical: Continuity of Teaching Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology follows and expands on Catholic teaching about care for God’s creation. This teaching has a foundation in the Bible’s call to stewardship of the natural world. Both Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II, the two prior pontiffs, spoke frequently about ecology, and both addressed climate change directly. And Pope Francis will not be the first pope to appeal to national leaders to address climate issues through the UN process. Read More
The Sisters of St. Joseph Welcome Grace Ford to the Novitiate
June 12, 2015
On Sunday, June 7, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sister Grace Ford was received into the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Fla. Read More
Gov. Rick Scott signs bill removing ban on adoption by same-sex couples
June 12, 2015
**UPDATE** - Governor Scott has signed HB 7013 into law. Click the link below to let the governor know you are disappointed with his action on this bill. BACKGROUND: HB 7013 was passed by the Florida legislature during the regular legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Scott on Thursday, June 11. In addition to providing adoption incentives for state employees, HB 7013 was amended to strike from Florida law a long-standing prohibition on adoption by homosexual persons. Read More
Catholic bishops of Florida laud establishment of reflection period prior to abortion
June 11, 2015
Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, June 10, HB 633 was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. This new law ensures that a woman who seeks an abortion in Florida receives 24 hours to reflect on information provided by a physician before proceeding with the termination of her pregnancy. This good legislation gives women one day to reflect upon the risks of abortion, one day to view the image of her unborn child’s ultrasound, and one day to consult with friends, family and faith. Read More
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine begins new weekday devotions June 8
June 9, 2015
Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament leads off new Monday through Friday devotions at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine – America’s First Catholic Parish, beginning Monday, June 8. The Cathedral Basilica is located at 38 Cathedral Place on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitución. Read More