IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Will Kirk By Christopher Gunty BALTIMORE (CNS) — In October 1791, five men began studies for the priesthood at the first seminary in the United States, just a couple years after the Diocese of Baltimore was established as the first in the country in 1789. At the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tom Tracy By Ana Rodriguez-Soto MIAMI (CNS) — While many celebrated loudly on the streets, the death of Fidel Castro triggered a more subdued reaction among the Cuban exiles who attended the noon Mass Nov. 26 at the National Shrine of Our Lady Charity. “Today is a day …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Just as “the habit does not make the monk,” taking a vow of poverty does not automatically mean a consecrated person lives with a detachment from material things and in solidarity with the poor, Pope Francis said. In fact, “the hypocrisy of consecrated …

IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As a towering spruce tree was erected in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican released Pope Francis’ liturgy schedule for Advent, Christmas and the month of January. The 82-feet-tall Christmas tree arrived in the square Nov. 24. According to the papal calendar released by …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Humanity does not own God’s gift of creation and has no right to pillage it, Pope Francis said. “We are not custodians of a museum and its masterpieces that we have to dust off every morning, but rather collaborators in …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit By Matthew Davis MINNEAPOLIS (CNS) — Hundreds filled the front steps of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis Nov. 20 following Mass to witness the closing of the church’s Holy Doors, marking the end of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious employers that challenged the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act have been cautiously breathing a sigh of relief since the presidential election. “Everyone is still protected by the …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Everyone experiences doubts about the faith at times — “I have” many times, Pope Francis said — but such doubts can be “a sign that we want to know God better and more deeply.” “We do not need to be …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United Nations is preparing to embark on talks to ban nuclear weapons. Negotiations are set to begin in March and are expected to take an indefinite time to complete. The end result is uncertain, but the 123 nations that …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Death and final judgment before the Lord are not frightening if you live being faithful to God, Pope Francis said. “It will do us good to think about this: ‘Well, what will that day be like when I am before Jesus? When he …