Karla and Jason De Los Reyes, pictured in an undated photo, hiked the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago, Spain, in the days leading up to their Dec. 12, 2019, wedding. The UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of a network of routes, traveled by pilgrims since the Middle Ages, to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, believed to be the burial place of St. James. (CNS photo/courtesy De Los Reyes family)

Couple strengthens faith on Camino; trek leads up to wedding

Posted by - February 23, 2020

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — It’s sometimes said that life is a journey. For Karla and Jason De Los Reyes, preparing for their new life together involved a literal journey — traveling 74 miles on foot along the Camino de Santiago in the days leading up to their wedding in Spain. The couple, who are parishioners

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A woman prays during Mass in favor of the traditional family unit in Madrid in this 2011 file photo. Lay people live out their Christian calling by sharing the gifts they received from God with others and not keeping them for themselves, Pope Francis said in a message to participants at a conference for lay Catholics in Madrid Feb. 14, 2020. (CNS photo/Susana Vera, Reuters)

Faith is lived in community, not isolation, pope says

Posted by - February 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Lay men and women live out their Christian calling by sharing the gifts they received from God with others and not keeping them for themselves, Pope Francis said. In a message to participants at a conference for lay Catholics in Madrid Feb. 14, the pope said that Christians are called “to

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Sheila Wheltle, a parishioner at St. Mark Church in Catonsville, Md., is pictured at her home Jan. 23, 2020. Wheltle has given up social media for Lent the past nine years. (CNS photo/Kevin J. Parks, Catholic Review)

Catholics ‘unfriend’ social media, choose ‘digital detox’ for Lent

Posted by - February 23, 2020

BALTIMORE (CNS) — No selfies. No cat videos. Not even an artfully composed photo of avocado toast. Come Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, Sheila Wheltle’s social media accounts will go dark for 40 days. Her last post will read: “Gone for Lent … See you at Easter.” More Americans are embracing the concept of a “digital

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Pope Francis speaks as he leads his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 12, 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

True sorrow for sins leads to renewed love for God, others, pope says

Posted by - February 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Recognizing and repenting for one’s own sins and errors is difficult, but essential, Pope Francis said. “To understand (one’s) sin is a gift from God, it is the work of the Holy Spirit” who helps each person realize “the evil I have done or that I may do,” the pope said

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Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Feb. 18, 2020. In his homily, the pope said there is no room for God in hearts hardened by ideology, selfishness and arrogance. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Hearts hardened by ideology, ego leave no room for God, pope says

Posted by - February 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hearts hardened by ideology, selfishness and arrogance leave no room for God, Pope Francis said. “The Lord only goes in hearts that are like his heart,” that is, “hearts that are compassionate, open,” the pope said in his homily Feb. 18 during morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The pope

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An elderly woman participates in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. Pope Francis told told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world Jan. 31 that old age "is not a disease, it's a privilege," and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Church must recognize the gifts of older Catholics, pope says

Posted by - February 9, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Old age “is not a disease, it’s a privilege,” and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members, Pope Francis said. “We must change our pastoral routines to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities,” the

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Pope Francis leads an audience with seniors and pastoral workers from around the world at the Vatican Jan. 31, 2020. The pope said old age is not a disease but a priviledge. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

People need ‘prophets’ to warn them of their sins, pope says

Posted by - February 9, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If a saint like King David could have been capable of so much sin, what are regular people doing to make sure they can always be attentive and aware of where they are going wrong? Pope Francis asked. “Am I alert? Do I always need someone who tells me the truth,

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Religious hold candles as Pope Francis celebrates a Mass marking the World Day for Consecrated Life in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 1, 2020. The Mass was celebrated on the vigil of the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. (CNS photo/Stefano Dal Pozzolo, pool)

For religious, God’s love is worth more than any earthly good, pope says

Posted by - February 9, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When one is totally in love with the Lord, then poverty, chastity and obedience are not sacrifices, but vehicles of freedom, Pope Francis told consecrated men and women. Celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life, Pope Francis urged women and men religious to be people of hope, and he asked all

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Hosffman Ospino, associate professor of theology and religious education at Boston College, delivers his keynote address Jan. 17, 2020, during the 58th Annual Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week, in Tucson. (CNS photo/Michael Brown, Diocese of Tucson)

Speaker: Accompaniment, worship, works of mercy can help struggling church

Posted by - February 9, 2020

TUCSON, Ariz. (CNS) — The three challenges facing both the U.S. Catholic Church and this country right now are segregation, polarization and resignation, Boston College professor Hosffman Ospino told attendees at the 58th Annual Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week in Tucson. The keynote address by one of the foremost experts on the growth of the

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This statue of Georgetown University's founder, Bishop John Carroll, greets students at the Washington campus entrance July 22, 2019. U.S. Catholic college leaders have zeroed in on issues their schools face, including financial challenges, their place in the modern secular world and how they can play a role in helping the church recover from the abuse crisis. (CNS photo/Elizabeth Bachmann)

Catholic college leaders examine ways to adapt to current challenges

Posted by - February 9, 2020

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Presidents and school officials from Catholic colleges and universities around the country kicked off their four-day meeting in Washington by looking squarely at the challenges they face. The Feb. 1 plenary session for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities wasted no time in getting right to what’s at stake for these

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