Author Archive
Catholic News Agency
‘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 …
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 …