Historic ceremony highlights legacies of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II; pilgrimage planned As sainthood nears for two of the most beloved popes in recent memory, a contemporary of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II remembers them as being particularly effective in spreading the Gospel around …
Rosary For Life attracts parishioners from across diocese
What looked to be a soggy Rosary For Life instead became a powerful witness for God and the sanctity of life Jan. 11 as a persistent downpour dried up when Cardinal Justin Rigali began prayer in front of Planned Parenthood’s East Knoxville clinic. Some 250 people from across the Diocese …
Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali entertain in ‘Evening Chat’
Amusing dialogue gives insight into Church, papacy Watch out Cardinal Dolan and Stephen Colbert, there’s a new Catholic stand-up team and they just might take their brand of catechetical comedy on the road. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali held an “Evening Chat” Sept. 13 attended by more …
Pilgrimage to canonizations for John Paul II, John XXIII planned
Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali will be featured on a pilgrimage to Rome scheduled April 21-29 for the canonizations of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII. The pilgrimage, sponsored by Select International Tours, will depart Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport on April 21, and connect with …
Eucharistic Congress ‘wows’ 5,000 Catholic faithful
The Diocese of Knoxville celebrated its 25th anniversary in grand fashion Sept. 13-14 as some 5,000 faithful from throughout East Tennessee and around the country gathered in prayer and song, fellowship and worship at the Sevierville Events Center to rejoice the Holy Eucharist in the diocese’s first Eucharistic Congress. “Wow” …
Pope Francis presents blessing to Diocese of Knoxville
As Pope Francis establishes the 265th pontificate since St. Peter following his March 13 ascension from the College of Cardinals, the world is embracing the new pontiff and his acts of humility and compassion. The pope’s popularity is extending beyond Vatican City, where he has upended traditional security protocol by …
Media coverage shifting focus to College of Cardinals
As His Holiness Benedict XVI fulfilled his resignation intention Feb. 28, ending his eight-year pontificate, the College of Cardinals that will select the pope emeritus’ successor has indicated it will hold a March 4 meeting to schedule a papal conclave. News of Benedict XVI’s departure has gripped the world and …
Diocesan faithful give Cardinal Rigali a memorable send-off
In a turnout befitting a pope—or a cardinal—more than a thousand well-wishers were on hand Feb. 26 at All Saints Church and McGhee Tyson Airport to see Cardinal Justin Rigali as he departed for Rome, where he will join the College of Cardinals in a conclave to elect the next …
Prayer service, airport send-off await Cardinal Rigali as he travels to Rome for papal conclave
Cardinal Justin Rigali, a papal elector who is in residence in Knoxville, will depart Knoxville on Tuesday for Rome, where he will join other members of the College of Cardinals ahead of the final day of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate on Thursday. Parishioners from around the diocese are invited to …
Diocese of Knoxville plays role in papal succession
Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement Monday that he will resign effective Feb. 28 took the world by surprise, prompting Diocese of Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in the diocese, to meet with East Tennessee media representatives and brief them on the pontiff’s decision. …
Diocese’s Year of Faith begins with speaker series on Vatican II
The Year of Faith has started in earnest in parishes across the diocese as the faithful seek a closer relationship with God. Sacred Heart Cathedral launched its Year of Faith celebration Oct. 17 with the first in a series of discussions on the Second Vatican Council and its important documents …
Witnessing Second Vatican Council’s impact
Cardinal Rigali, who was part of historic assembly, calls documents ‘more important than ever’ In October 1962, as the Cuban missile crisis gripped the world and civil rights icon James Meredith registered for classes at Ole Miss under federal marshal escort, Pope John XXIII convened the first ecumenical council of …
