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February 14: Saints Cyril, Monk and Methodius, Bishop
On Feb. 14, the universal Church honors two brothers, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who are called the “Apostles of the Slavs” for their tireless work in spreading the Gospel throughout Eastern Europe in the ninth century. Such was their influence in Church history, through their evangelization efforts, that the late …
February 14: Saint Valentine
The love of God reigns in the hearts of all saints, but there is one who has the joy of being the patron saint of lovers: St. Valentine. According to a tradition, St. Valentine risked his life to marry couples in a Christian way during the time of persecution. He …
The Rome church where you can venerate St. Valentine’s skull
by Hannah Brockhaus Rome, Italy, Feb 14, 2021 / 02:00 am MT (CNA).- When most people think of romantic love, a third-century skull crowned with flowers probably does not spring to mind — nor the story behind it. But a visit to an unassuming Byzantine basilica in Rome might change …
Invalid baptisms: A Catholic explainer about the facts and the fears
by Kevin J. Jones Denver Newsroom, Feb 11, 2022 / 17:19 pm Baptism involves a simple formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The celebrant pours water on the head of the baptized, or immerses them in water. Usually, Catholic clergy …
Catholic athlete Sarah Escobar makes history at Winter Olympics
by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Feb 12, 2022 / 11:48 am When Sarah Escobar packed her bags for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she included a memento from her mother: a stone carved with the word “Faith.” “Sarah’s mom said she gave it to her, and Sarah holds it …
Milwaukee priest named USCCB associate general secretary
by Christine Rousselle Washington D.C., Feb 11, 2022 / 15:00 pm Fr. Paul Hartmann, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been named the Associate General Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, it was announced Thursday. He will assume his new role in May 2022. “I …
Vatican: Number of Catholics worldwide rose by 16 million in 2020
By CNA Staff Vatican City, Feb 11, 2022 / 13:00 pm The number of Catholics worldwide increased by an estimated 16 million in 2020 to 1.36 billion, according to statistics released on Friday by the Vatican. The rise was in line with global population growth in the year that the coronavirus …
5 fascinating facts about the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes
by Francesca Pollio Denver Newsroom, Feb 11, 2022 / 03:00 am On Feb. 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In Lourdes, France, in 1858, thirteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous was collecting pieces of wood as part of her daily chores when she noticed a startling wind …
Chicago archdiocese announces new groupings from parish mergers
by CNA Staff Chicago, Ill., Feb 10, 2022 / 12:46 pm As part of its “Renew My Church” initiative the Archdiocese of Chicago recently announced 12 new parish groupings. By July, the archdiocese will have 221 parishes. The 12 groupings, formed by parish mergers, were announced between Jan. 20 and …
How Benedict XVI’s resignation changed the papacy
by Andrea Gagliarducci Vatican City, May 30, 2016 / 05:32 am When Pope emeritus Benedict XVI resigned as pontiff three years ago, he added a new dimension to the papacy, said his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein. Archbishop Ganswein remains prefect of the Pontifical Household. He works closely with both …
