‘I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH’ Message for Lent 2016 by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops My brothers and sisters in Christ, The readings of the liturgy for the opening days of Lent invite us to focus on some basic questions as we begin ...read more

  Today we begin that long walk towards Holy Week, which culminates in celebrating the greatest event in human history: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Something that never fails to inspire awe in me however, is just how diverse our expressions of faith are. Encountering different Catholic rituals around the world, sometimes I’m intrigued, other ...read more

Pope Francis released his 2016 Lenten Message based on the verse ” I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). Read the full text of his message, titled ‘The works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee,’ below: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). The works of mercy on the road of ...read more

The Pope decrees that not only men may be chosen for the washing of the feet in the Liturgy of Holy Thursday. Please see below for the full text of the decree and for a commentary on the decree by Archbishop Arthur Roche, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: ...read more

A Palestinian Christian prays in the Church of Nativity on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, West Bank. CNS photo/Debbie Hill ...read more

Fireworks light up the night sky near a giant Christmas tree along a bay walk in Palawan, Philippines, Dec. 1, 2011. The Philippines, a mainly Roman Catholic country, is known for its rich pageantry around the Advent and Christmas season. CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters ...read more

Children touch the wings of a man dressed as an angel as he holds a sign reading “Christmas with Jesus is happiness” in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 13, 2011. Members of the Christian church Psalm 100 regularly dress as angels holding signs with religious messages for people to read. CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters ...read more

St. Mary’s Cathedral is illuminated by a 246-foot projected Lights of Christmas display Dec. 13, 2012 in Sydney. CNS photo/Tim Wimborne, Reuters ...read more

A foggy Christmas Eve at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. CNS photo/Daniel Soñé ...read more

Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna, Nigeria, walks near the coffins of some of the victims of a 2012 Christmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, during a funeral for the victims. CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters ...read more