CNS’s Chaz Muth and Tyler Osborn have produced this lively look at one of the most unusual ministries in the Church. Check it out (and check out that chasuble!): The Arlington Catholic Herald has more: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Tour came to Fairfax in April with 16 performances at the George Mason University Patriot Center. There was a three-day lull between blocks of performances, so an April 14 Mass was celebrated that included baptisms, confirmations... Read more
Below is part of a letter issued last week by Bishop Larry Silva, from Honolulu: Dear parents, priests, deacons, youth ministers, faith formation staff and Catholic school administrators, I am writing this letter to invite you to take an active role by reading the articles regarding the plan to return the sacraments of initiation to their proper order in our diocese, that is: Baptism, Confirmation, and then First Holy Communion. A series of articles explaining the history of the sacraments... Read more
[getty src=”471393252?et=eAcQ7ovdSWJSr_9MzA6srg&viewMoreLink=on&sig=3BxMgKKMuD5rfuLCke_wq0nzAGg8b2eF0dbvQ80SOvs=&caption=true” width=”445″ height=”297″] View image | gettyimages.com From the Archdiocese of Baltimore website: Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, [Monday] issued the following statement in response to this weekend’s protests and the tragic death of Freddie Gray: Today, many in our City are trying to come to grips with the aftermath of an emotional and sometimes-violent weekend that threatens to overshadow two realities that cannot and should not be lost: a family’s devastating loss of a young man whose... Read more
The story, from the Catholic University of America website: The leaders of the Archdiocese of Washington, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America met today with students from CUA’s School of Architecture and Planning to announce a contest for the design of the altar, chair, and ambo to be used by Pope Francis during the canonization Mass of Blessed Junípero Serra on Sept. 23, 2015. “How exciting it is to be... Read more
Details: Despite announcing his resignation a week ago, Bishop Robert W. Finn will preside over the priestly ordinations of seven deacons next month in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese. A diocese spokesman Monday cited a scheduling conflict that prevented the new temporary leader of the diocese, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, from ordaining the seven men on May 23 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City. Naumann, who continues to lead the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas,... Read more
[getty src=”455263476?et=U72-JV69T-dCu3WKnIBQow&viewMoreLink=on&sig=v7yvWjZRmuY2HfATqktrJ0qaJcL_6V2n7BpzvLsUovg=&caption=true” width=”445″ height=”297″] View image | gettyimages.com From The Catholic Herald: The Polish Catholic Church has called for a fitting tribute to hundreds of its priests who died during World War II at the Nazi concentration camp in Dachau. “Dachau was the main camp for priests from all over Europe, and over half came from Poland,” said Mgr Józef Kloch, spokesman for the Polish bishops’ conference. “We want to highlight this as we remember the camp’s liberation by the... Read more
Compelling testimony from another Patheos blogger, Christian Piatt: I practice the “Hail Mary.” Not only that, but I use a rosary to go through my prayers. I’ve shared this with some folks, and inevitably someone is surprised by this. I’ll get something like, “I didn’t know you’re Catholic,” or “Why pray to Mary? After all, she’s not actually God.” Or is she? Not that I think she personally was “God with skin on,” like we sometimes talk about Jesus. But like... Read more
From an online media group called Mighty.LA: As the world responds to the Islamic State with hatred and vengeance, there is one group that is responding differently. They are not allies with ISIS but enemies. And they have been slain by the thousands in the hands of ISIS. ISIS calls them The Nation of the Cross – The ones they have killed are bringing a message of forgiveness and hope. Declaring a love that they do not know – A... Read more
From Paul Haring at Catholic News Service comes this wonderful picture from Sunday. Caption: Pope Francis and two newly ordained priests give a blessing during the “Regina Coeli” led from the window of the pope’s studio at the Vatican April 26. The priests and 17 others were ordained by the pope during a liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning. Read more
The tragic story of a priest who died at the start of Mass last Sunday raises the question of what happens in such circumstances. The document De Defectibus, promulgated by Pope Pius V in the 16th century, offers this: If before the Consecration the priest becomes seriously ill, or faints, or dies, the Mass is discontinued. If this happens after the consecration of the Body only and before the consecration of the Blood, or after both have been consecrated, the Mass is... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In