By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 4, 2022 / 07:00 am An emeritus Texas bishop is highlighting an Advent message hidden in the O Antiphons — prayers that are recited or chanted in an ancient tradition leading up to Christmas. “Composed in the sixth or seventh century, the seven O …

By Matt McDonald National Catholic Register, Dec 13, 2023 / 17:25 pm The bishops who lead the dioceses of Columbus and Steubenville in Ohio could present a merger plan to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as early as June 2024, according to the bishops of both dioceses. It’s not yet …

By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 13, 2023 / 10:10 am Pope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In a new interview broadcast on the Mexican television program “N+” on …

By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Dec 12, 2023 / 14:00 pm A survey released this month by a British Catholic organization demonstrates what the group says were the “shocking” effects of COVID-19-related church closures in that country. Catholic Union, a lay organization that bills itself as “dedicated to the defense of …

Dec. 14 is the liturgical memorial of Saint John of the Cross, a 16th century Carmelite priest best known for reforming his order together with Saint Teresa of Avila, and for writing the classic spiritual treatise “The Dark Night of the Soul.” Honored as a Doctor of the Church since …

By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 13, 2023 / 04:45 am St. Lucy’s Day, also known as Lucia Day, is a traditional Swedish celebration filled with children in costumes, elaborate processions, and Swedish treats — all honoring the beloved saint. St. Lucy, whose feast day is celebrated by the Catholic …

By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 12, 2023 / 11:36 am Under certain circumstances, it may be permissible for a Catholic to keep a small portion of a deceased loved one’s ashes in a personal place of significance if some conditions are met, according to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the …

by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 12, 2022 / 14:30 pm A Catholic shrine is re-creating “Tepeyac Hill” — where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared nearly 500 years ago to St. Juan Diego — in the United States. The new hill, located in Oklahoma City, was dedicated Sunday in …

In 1531 a “Lady from Heaven” appeared to Saint Juan Diego, a poor Indian from Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City. She identified herself as the Mother of the True God and instructed him to have the bishop build a church on the site. As a sign for the …

by David Ramos Mexico City, Mexico, Dec 10, 2021 / 08:00 am In the 500 years since Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared, the image of Our Lady has become the subject of several popular myths and legends, especially in Mexico, where she appeared. Fr. Eduardo Chávez was the postulator for …