THE HOLY SEE WEBSITE
The Vatican Coat of Arms (used to symbolize the keys of the kingdom given to the Apostle Peter by Christ in the Gospel)
The official website of the Holy See (www.vatican.va), is one of our favorite resources.
What we like:
First, it is free, and it visually traces the Church back to the Apostles. Many non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians do not know the Catholic Church can trace her roots directly to the Apostles themselves! Midway down the Vatican homepage, there are mosaic images and descriptions of every pope beginning with the current pope (Pope Francis) and ending with the Apostle Peter, the Catholic Church’s very first pope.
Second, it provides live streaming services to the Pope and St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you can watch Masses, Papal Audiences and other religious events that are streamed in real time. This is especially moving at times like Holy Week and Easter.
Third, this website is the source online for Church documents. If you are curious about a church teaching, we recommend you check out The Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church, found under “Resource Library” on the right. If you want a more in-depth information, consider checking out the Catechism footnotes. Besides pointing to Holy Scripture, the footnotes reference Magisterial documents, like Lumen Gentium, that are also available, full-text, and for free on the Vatican website. One tip: We recommend making sure you type the names of the documents you are interested in reading correctly. If you do not, the document most likely will not show up in your search. Some documents are abbreviated, but it is easy to search what the abbreviations signify.
Who it serves:
This website is an excellent resource for all Catholics looking for worldwide prayers and individual in-depth understanding of the Faith. It provides over 2,000 years of Church teachings on Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition all in one place!
The website also serves travelers coming to the Vatican City on a pilgrimage. Not only does it provide information on things like specific information on the Jubilee Holy Year but also how to get tickets for Papal audiences and Masses. All are free, but are necessary due to the popularity and high demand for attendance. It also can direct users to Vatican museums, charities, and more!
In Christ,
—The HE IS GOODNESS Team
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