The Conclave from the Middle Ages to the present day
The Conclave as we know it today goes back to the Middle Ages, and was established to prevent a prolonged Vacant See (Sede Vacante) and outside interference. By Lisa Zengarini* The term “Conclave” comes from two Latin words: cum (with) and clavis (key). In Church terminology, it designates both the secluded place where the …
Catholic leaders respond to President Trump over AI image of himself as pope
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 5, 2025 / 14:57 pm Catholic leaders and some members of the Church hierarchy in the United States have criticized President Donald Trump for sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as a pope. Trump, who frequently shares memes of himself on social media, posted …
Becoming Catholic
You’ve heard the call to the Church. What’s next? The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which non-Catholic adults and children of cat- echetical age, whether non-baptized or baptized in another Christian faith, become members of the Catholic Church. Until recently, this process was called …
Upcoming conclave will be first with more than 120 Cardinal electors
The conclave set to begin on May 7 will be the first to include 133 Cardinal electors, but it is not the first time the College of Cardinals has exceeded the 120 limit. By Tiziana Campisi and Kielce Gussie A confirmed 133 Cardinals will participate in the upcoming conclave to …
Called to Discipleship
In a visually saturated world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and become desensitized to beauty. Visio Divina, Latin for “divine seeing,” encourages us to slow down and engage in visual contemplation, using art as a profound tool for connecting with the Divine. A Guide to Visio Divina Begin by making …
Obituary; Reverend David Robisch
Reverend David Robisch died at 87 years old after a multi-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 22, 1962 by Archbishop Karl J. Alter after studying at St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary Seminaries and completing graduate studies at Xavier University. He taught at …
Q&A: What are the rules for godparents?
Dear Father: I have a question regarding godparents. It seems mandatory that a godparent be a Catholic. I could have a Catholic be a godparent and move three years after the baptism to another state. The child would only rarely see them, possibly only on holidays. I could ask a non-catholic …
Keeping the meaning in a child’s first Communion
Editors Note: Here’s an article about First Communion that’s both timely and informative from 2009 ARCHDIOCESE — With first Communion season upon us, children will be soon be donning their finery for the joyous event as parents plan festive family gatherings to celebrate. But there is more to the occasion …
Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Barron to serve on Trump’s new religious liberty commission
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 1, 2025 / 16:53 pm Two members of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States — Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron — have been tapped to serve on a new presidential commission on religious liberty created by President Donald Trump on Thursday, …
Baltimore Archdiocese to launch missionary ‘lab’ program to draw young people
By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 2, 2025 / 06:00 am The Archdiocese of Baltimore is launching a new initiative this summer to address the crisis of disaffiliation among young people in the Church through a proactive missionary “lab” program. “The impetus behind it is really giving tools to young …
