Author Archive
Catholic News Agency
U.S. Catholic population shows growth, trends southward

by Kevin J. Jones Denver, Colo., Dec 6, 2022 / 12:00 pm The Catholic population in the United States has grown by about 2 million people in 10 years. With nearly 62 million people, it continues to constitute the largest religious body in 36 U.S. states, according to the latest …
The mighty Mississippi was once named ‘River of the Immaculate Conception.’ Here’s why

by Jonah McKeown St. Louis, Mo., Dec 4, 2022 / 08:00 am “Immaculate” is not a word most people would use to describe the Mississippi River’s famously muddy waters. But Father Jacques Marquette was not most people. The Jesuit explorer, who came from France as a missionary to Canada in …
Catholic student center in Nebraska receives shooting threat, signed ‘Jane’s Revenge’

by Joe Bukuras Boston, Mass., Dec 4, 2022 / 13:23 pm A Catholic campus ministry center at the University of Nebraska received a death threat Saturday morning in a note signed, “Jane’s Revenge,” a calling card used by pro-abortion activists. “If our right to abortion in Bellevue is taken away …
December 3: St. Francis Xavier

On Dec. 3, the Roman Catholic Church honors St. Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuits who went on to evangelize vast portions of Asia. Francis Xavier was born during 1506 in the Kingdom of Navarre, a region now divided between Spain and France. His mother was an esteemed heiress, …
Charles de Foucauld, Catholic ‘revert’ turned saint

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Dec 1, 2022 / 05:00 am Today is the feast day of St. Charles de Foucauld, who was canonized by Pope Francis on May 15. Who was Charles de Foucauld? De Foucauld, also known as Brother Charles of Jesus, was a soldier, explorer, Catholic revert, …
Louisiana priest confirmed as victim in double homicide, archbishop offers prayers

by Joe Bukuras Boston, Mass., Nov 30, 2022 / 13:35 pm Authorities have positively identified Father Otis Young, a local Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, as one of the victims of a double homicide. The St. Tammany Coroner’s office said Tuesday that the cause of death was “sharp- …
Everything you need to know about the Advent wreath

by Francesca Pollio Denver Newsroom, Nov 27, 2021 / 09:00 am During the holidays, nativity scenes and Christmas trees decorate most Catholic homes, but what about Advent wreaths? Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches and have four candles. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent—three candles …
Major win for Catholic doctors fighting Biden’s transgender mandate after appeal deadline passes

by Edie Heipel Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 29, 2022 / 16:00 pm President Biden’s controversial transgender mandate has been blocked after the administration failed to meet last week’s deadline to appeal a court ruling that struck down the mandate earlier this year. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down …
U.S. bishops express outrage at increase in antisemitic attacks

by Peter Pinedo Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 29, 2022 / 14:15 pm The U.S. Catholic bishops strongly condemned in a Nov. 28 statement what they called a “reemergence of antisemitism in new forms.” “Outraged by the deeply hurtful proliferations of antisemitic rhetoric, both online and in person, and the violent …
Pope Francis: Restoration of Christian unity is ‘an urgent priority in today’s world’

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Nov 30, 2022 / 07:55 am Pope Francis said Wednesday that the full restoration of communion among all Christians is “an urgent priority in today’s world.” In a letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the pope expressed gratitude that Catholic and Orthodox …