IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Julie Asher ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Maria de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda, a writer and author in the Catholic press since 1982, received the 2016 St. Francis de Sales Award from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. The award, which is the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Ghulamullah Habibi, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has requested a special study session at the Vatican to look at how to solve the growing problem of drug abuse, especially narcotics. Leading experts from around the world are being invited “to examine and discuss …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Lisa Johnston, St. Louis Review By Carol Zimmermann ST. LOUIS (CNS) — In today’s age of cyberbullying and online vitriol, be sure to take the high road and build people up rather than tear them down, Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, Vermont, told Catholic communicators attending the …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mercy recognizes that life is short and that so much good needs to be done that there is no time to waste in making amends, Pope Francis told priests. “That is why it is so important to forgive completely” and …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The spiritual retreat Pope Francis offered priests and seminarians as part of the Jubilee of Priests could be seen as a “crash course” on the role of mercy in priestly ministry. His series of three meditations in three Roman basilicas …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jerry L. Mennenga By Joanne Fox SIOUX CITY, Iowa (CNS) — Amid a roomful of oohs and aahs, Aubrie Harrington carefully — oh, so carefully — used her scissors to trim away the cornea and the gelatinous fat from a cow eye. A student with weaker stamina might …

IMAGE: By Francois Gloutnay MONTREAL (CNS) — In the past few years, Benedictine Father Simon-Pierre Arnold has warned aging and declining religious congregations that it would be a mistake to try to “mend an old fabric with new cloth” or “pour new wine into old wineskins.” He reiterated this message …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the prayer of a proud person isn’t strong enough to reach God’s heart, the prayer of a humble and contrite heart is capable of opening wide the door to his mercy and love, Pope Francis said. “God has …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Help wipe out bullying and aggression by being better listeners and offering concrete gestures of tolerance and patience, Pope Francis told a group of top YouTubers from around the world. “The level of aggressiveness in our world needs to be …

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The church needs the service of the many women who continue to follow Mary’s example of courage and service despite the odds, Pope Francis said. Women who serve with joy to bring their families forward in life, to ensure their children’s education …