Apostleship of the Sea: 20,000 sailors stranded near Strait of Hormuz ‘living in constant anguish’
The logjam of vessels unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz has created a challenging situation for the Apostleship of the Sea, which provides pastoral care for sailors. Commercial vessels are pictured off shore in Dubai on March 11, 2026. | Credit: AFP via Getty Images By Victoria Cardiel …
Holy Week Traditions: What is Tenebrae?
Tenebrae (“shadows” or “darkness”) is a Holy Week service that is at least 1,000 years old. Originally held in after midnight but later held at a variety of times, Tenebrae would be sung each day of the Triduum in a church lit only by 15 candles. These were extinguished one …
Holy Week in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
On Tuesday, March 31 the Chrism Mass will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at 4:00 p.m., with Archbishop Robert G. Casey as celebrant. At the Chrism Mass, the archbishop is joined by the priests of the diocese. This Mass manifests the unity of the …
Holy Week in THREE Minutes!
Why do Catholics wave palms on Palm Sunday, wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday, or kiss the cross on Good Friday?
Archbishop of Tehran: End war in the Gulf, end logic of retaliation
At a prayer vigil for peace in Rome at the beginning of Holy Week, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran, appeals for peace for all war-torn regions, with a special plea for the Middle East and the Holy Land. By Valerio Palombaro The urgent call for peace in a …
The Ancient Providers and Protectors of God’s Family
Church Fathers | Fr. Jacob Lindle On July 17, 180 A.D., in the little town of Scillium in the Roman Province of North Africa, a Roman governor demanded that 12 Christians “swear by the spirit of our lord the emperor and offer sacrifice for his health.” These men and women …
Pope Leo XIV to carry the Cross throughout Via Crucis at Colosseum
Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday, 3 April, during the traditional Good Friday liturgy commemorating the journey of Jesus to Golgotha. The meditations have been written by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton. Vatican News Pope Leo XIV will preside over all …
Palm Sunday attack in Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese leaves 11 dead, curfew imposed
A deadly attack has left at least 11 people dead and several others injured following an attack by suspected gunmen in Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba, served by Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Jos. Credit: hyotographics/Shutterstock By ACI Africa March 30, 2026 at 1:36 PM ET JOS, Nigeria — At least 11 …
Adult conversions soar in dioceses across U.S.
The National Catholic Register contacted all 175 Latin-rite territorial dioceses in the United States, seeking numbers of people planning to join the Catholic Church at Easter 2026. College-age converts receive the sacrament of confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, Texas A&M, Easter 2024. | Credit: Courtesy of St. Mary’s Catholic …
Pope Leo XIV Prayer Intentions for April
For priests in crisis Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
