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Catholic News Agency
How Michelangelo’s 3 Pietàs speak to a suffering world
by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Mar 7, 2022 / 04:00 am As war rages in Ukraine and the pandemic lingers, Michelangelo’s celebrated Vatican Pietà — and two lesser-known figures he also sculpted — can be deeply meaningful to a pain-wracked world, says a priest and art historian. Michelangelo Buonarotti’s Pietà depicts a …
‘I will go to Ukraine, as far as I can,’ says papal envoy
by CNA Staff Lublin, Poland, Mar 7, 2022 / 05:35 am A Vatican cardinal has said that he will travel as far as he can in Ukraine to express Pope Francis’ solidarity with the suffering population. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, said he intended to enter the war-torn country …
Here’s the story behind the viral photo of Ukrainian man hugging crucifix
By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 6, 2022 / 02:00 am A photo of an unidentified man hugging a life-size crucifix in Ukraine went viral across social media platforms as Russia began its full-scale invasion of the country. The image captures a quiet moment in the midst of chaos: A darkly-clothed …
Pope Francis on Lent: Jesus is with us, even when we’re tempted
by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 6, 2022 / 08:30 am Pope Francis highlighted Jesus’ 40-day journey in the desert, where he is tempted by the devil, as an example for the faithful during Lent. “Jesus too was tempted by the devil, and he accompanies us, every one of …
March 7: Sts. Perpetua and Felicity and their Companions
Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith around the year 203. St. Perpetua was a young, well-educated, noblewoman and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. In terms of her faith, Perpetua …
St. Michael the Archangel is the protector of the capital of Ukraine. Here’s why
by Francesca Pollio Fenton Kyiv, Ukraine, Mar 4, 2022 / 10:10 am A statue of Saint Michael the Archangel stands in the center of Kyiv with a shield and a sword and as the protector of the capital of Ukraine and the entire country, now threatened by the invasion of …
‘I believe I’m holding Mary’s hand,’ says Catholic journalist chronicling war in Kyiv
by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 5, 2022 / 02:00 am A Catholic Ukrainian journalist is documenting day-to-day life in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country — and sharing her faith in God along the way. “These days, I fall asleep with the rosary in my hands and …
March 5: Saint John Joseph of the Cross
Self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity—as the life of Saint John Joseph shows. John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. He devoted himself even at his youngest years to a life of poverty and fasting. At 16 he …
March 4: St. Casimir of Poland
On March 4, the Catholic Church honors Saint Casimir Jagiellon, a prince whose life of service to God has made him a patron saint of Poland, Lithuania, and young people. In 1984, Pope John Paul II addressed Lithuanian pilgrims commemorating the 500th anniversary of the prince’s death. He said the …
WWII martyr Titus Brandsma to be canonized with Charles de Foucauld
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 4, 2022 / 04:00 am The World War II martyr Titus Brandsma and two other blesseds will be declared saints at a canonization Mass on May 15, Pope Francis indicated on Friday. The decision was made through a vote of cardinals during an ordinary consistory at …