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Catholic News Agency
U.S. bishops respond to Trump executive order designed to eliminate Department of Education
By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 21, 2025 / 13:00 pm On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities” designed to eventually eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. The order will not immediately close the department — that requires an …
Cardinal Parolin: no discussion of resignation by Pope Francis
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Mar 19, 2025 / 15:15 pm Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin denied that during his three recent visits to Pope Francis — who has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14 — they had discussed the possibility of the pope’s resignation. “No, …
How the McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish became a Lenten tradition in the U.S.
By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Mar 21, 2025 / 06:00 am Few people associate McDonald’s with the season of Lent, but the fast-food chain has played a small but iconic role in Lenten history — at least in the United States. Known primarily for its burgers and chicken nuggets, the restaurant’s …
U.S. bishops call for Walking with Moms in Need program to become staple in ‘every parish’
By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 19, 2025 / 12:40 pm Ahead of the fifth anniversary of its program supporting mothers in need in the United States, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a call for parishes across the country to magnify efforts to “put the gospel …
Pope Francis: ‘Every vocation is animated by hope’
By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Mar 19, 2025 / 09:25 am Writing from Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis emphasized the role of hope in vocational discernment in his message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations released by the Vatican on Wednesday. “Vocation is a precious gift that God sows …
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 …
