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Catholic News Agency
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
By Daniel Payne Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 16, 2023 / 15:02 pm Two Christian women were killed on Saturday by an Israeli sniper at the Catholic Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Saturday morning. The patriarchate said in a statement that “around noon” on Dec. 16, a …
How to pray the 300-year-old ‘Christmas novena’
By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 15, 2023 / 17:15 pm An Italian priest named Father Charles Vachetta is credited with writing a novena in 1721 to inspire his parishioners during Advent. Today, that novena is known as the “Christmas novena.” The nine-day prayer begins on Dec. 16 and concludes …
Local bishops: Steubenville-Columbus diocesan merger back in play
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 …
Pope Francis says that he wants to be buried in Marian basilica in new interview
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 …
Catholic survey shows ‘shocking’ impact of church closures during COVID pandemic
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 …
December 14 – St. John of the Cross
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 …
Why Sweden honors St. Lucy, a beloved Italian saint
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 …
Vatican: Small part of cremated ashes can be kept in personal place in certain cases
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 …
U.S. shrine re-creates Our Lady of Guadalupe apparition with giant sculptures
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 …
December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe
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 …
