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 …

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 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 …

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 …

By Joe Bukuras CNA Staff, Dec 8, 2023 / 16:00 pm Following last month’s referendum in Ohio that enshrined a right to abortion in its constitution, Columbus Bishop Earl Fernandes announced several pro-life and spiritual initiatives that the prelate hopes will make abortion “unthinkable.” The amendment to the constitution, for which a …

By Jonathan Liedl CNA Staff, Dec 9, 2023 / 10:26 am Pope Francis has appointed a priest born and ordained in Brazil to serve as the next auxiliary bishop of Boston, the Vatican announced on Saturday. Father Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa, 47, will join Cardinal Seán O’Malley and four other auxiliaries …