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Catholic News Agency
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 …
Cardinal Koch: ‘Suffering of illness’ a great challenge for aging Pope Francis
By Kristina Millare Vatican City, Mar 12, 2025 / 13:20 pm Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, reflected Tuesday on the great challenge of illness and suffering for Pope Francis as he approaches a month’s hospital stay amid a series of health crises. Before leading …
Syrian patriarchs condemn massacres as sectarian violence escalates on Syria’s coast
By Souhail Lawand ACI MENA, Mar 11, 2025 / 11:30 am The Syrian coast in the western part of the country has become a theater for unprecedented unrest since the onset of the Syrian crisis in 2011. This past weekend, at least 745 Alawite civilians lost their lives in what the Syrian …
The California nuns who raise dogs, make cheese, and pray always
By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Mar 10, 2025 / 06:00 am Tucked away in the Tehachapi Mountains of California, a group of cloistered nuns is chasing puppies, making artisanal cheeses, and praying the Liturgy of the Hours — all part of reviving a 900-year-old religious order. With roots going back to …
Give up candy? Mother Angelica’s 5 tips for your Lenten sacrifices
By Andrés Henríquez ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 9, 2025 / 07:00 am With the season of Lent, Catholics around the world have entered into a time of prayer, almsgiving, and penance in preparation for Holy Week. There are many and varied sacrifices that the faithful choose to adopt during these days, …
Yearslong decline in Christianity ‘leveling off’ in U.S., Pew survey shows
By Daniel Payne CNA Staff, Feb 26, 2025 / 13:35 pm A 20-year-long decline in the number of Americans who identify as Christian may be “leveling off,” according to data released on Wednesday by Pew Research Center. Pew said its most recent Religious Landscape Study showed 62% of U.S. adults identifying as Christian, a number that has …
