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Catholic News Agency
Powerful reflections from saints on Lent: fasting, penance, and conversion
By Diego López Marina ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 19, 2025 / 07:00 am Lent is not only a time of self denial but also of transformation. Six saints and blesseds have offered the following profound reflections on how to live this time authentically through fasting and conversion of heart. St. Augustine …
CNA explains: What’s ahead for the U.S. visa program for religious sisters, workers
By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 18, 2025 / 12:35 pm Though Congress extended the visa program used by religious sisters ahead of its deadline last Friday evening, they and other “non-minister religious workers” still face unprecedented challenges in immigrating or remaining in the U.S. to serve their communities. Concern …
Catholic priest in Gaza reports explosions near parish
By Victoria Cardiel ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 18, 2025 / 17:10 pm Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, reported that following the breakdown of the truce between Israel and Hamas, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched new attacks very close to his parish. The priest told Vatican …
‘Go to Joseph’: What popes from Blessed Pius IX to Pope Francis have said about St. Joseph
By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Mar 19, 2025 / 04:00 am The proclamation of the Year of St. Joseph by Pope Francis in December 2020 coincided with the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the universal Church by Blessed Pius IX on Dec. 8, 1870. “Jesus Christ Our …
March 19: St. Joseph
St. Joseph is honored with feast days throughout the Liturgical Year. This feast encourages us to look at Joseph’s role as husband and head of the Holy Family. Most of what we know about the life of St. Joseph comes to us from Scripture and legends that have sprung up …
Five years later: How some parishes are thriving after weathering COVID lockdowns
By Jonah McKeown CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2025 / 06:00 am Five years ago this week, public health orders issued amid the uncertainty of the novel coronavirus turned Mass schedules across the country and the world upside down. In those early days following the WHO’s March 11, 2020, declaration of COVID-19 …
Zelenskyy delivers list of POWs in Russia to the Vatican to mediate their release
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Mar 14, 2025 / 16:10 pm Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has provided the Vatican with a list of names of Ukrainians detained by the Russian military, requesting diplomatic mediation to secure their release. “The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainians being held in Russian …
Former Catholic Relief Services head speaks out amid funding freeze
By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 15, 2025 / 11:30 am Former president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Carolyn Woo is speaking out in defense of the aid organization amid Trump administration funding cuts to its services internationally. “International aid was started at first for the benefit of the U.S. …
March 17: St. Patrick of Ireland
On March 17, Catholics celebrate St. Patrick, the fifth century bishop and patron of Ireland, whose life of holiness set the example for many of the Church’s future saints. St. Patrick is said to have been born around 389 AD in Britain. Captured by Irish raiders when he was about …
Celebrating St. Patrick’s day during Lent
Anchorage, Alaska, Mar 16, 2009 / 06:24 am On Mar. 17, the Catholic Church especially honors St. Patrick – Catholic bishop, “Apostle of Ireland” and one of the most well-loved and celebrated saints of all time. From special Masses to parades, the world rejoices on St. Patrick’s day. In an …
