Obituary: Father John “Jack” E. Wessling
Father John “Jack” E. Wessling died on Monday, February 15, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 23, 1931 in Covington, Kentucky. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and received an M.A. in philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West …
George Weigel explores ‘vocation’ by elegizing historic figures
CNA Staff, Feb 18, 2021 / 03:19 pm MT (CNA).- George Weigel this month released a book collecting remembrances of a range of historical figures, with the goal of exploring “what it means to live a worthy life.” Not Forgotten: Elegies For, and Reminiscences Of, a Diverse Cast of Characters, …
Pope Francis gives Roman Curia 17th-century text as Lenten reading
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 19, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has given each member of the Roman Curia a book to include in their spiritual reading for their Lenten retreat this year. The book was written by an unnamed Cistercian monk in the 17th century …
Obituary: Father Carl A. Birarelli
Father Carl A. Birarelli died on February 12, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born on October 30, 1926, in Everett, Massachusetts. He was ordained on June 15, 1958 for the Congregation of the Missionary of St. Charles as a member of the Scalibrini Fathers by Archbishop William O’Brien, Auxiliary …
Texas Catholics press through winter storm to help neighbors
by Jonah McKeown Denver Newsroom, Feb 18, 2021 / 12:26 am MT (CNA).- Amid a winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and widespread power outages to much of Texas, Catholics are stepping up to help their neighbors even while dealing with their own shortages of electricity and water. Unseasonably cold …
The Final Word: Dr. Mary Catherine Levri
During this time of pandemic, it has been very important to me to persevere in my work as a sacred musician. Not only do our liturgies still need music, but it seems to me that during this time, in which much of our focus has been on bodily survival, the …
Live! Ash Wednesday Mass from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Noon
Live! from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 12:00 Noon.
Holy Week 2021: Vatican issues guidelines for Catholics amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 17, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued guidelines on Wednesday for the celebration of Holy Week this year in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In the note signed Feb. 17 …
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Lent is a journey from slavery to freedom
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Feb 17, 2021 / 03:15 am MT (CNA).- The 40 days of Lent are an opportunity to turn from the slavery of sin to the freedom found in reconciliation with God, Pope Francis said on Ash Wednesday. “The journey of Lent is an exodus from …
Question of Faith: Why Ashes?
What is the origin of beginning Lent with Ash Wednesday? When did the practice of using ashes start? Like other practices in the Church, being signed with ashes on the first day of Lent is an ancient custom that has undergone some development. From Biblical times through the Medieval Age, …
