News
St. Charles Seminary opens doors for tours, concert
The 32nd annual open house event on Sunday, Dec. 8 begins with tours of the seminary, a Christmas creche collection and papal artifacts at 1 p.m., followed by the Christmas concert at 4.
Boston historian believes some of Virginia’s first slaves were Catholic
Historians know little about the Africans who arrived four hundred years. They know their journey began in the port city and capital of modern-day Angola, Luanda. A professor of history and African American studies believes the homeland of the enslaved people suggests they were Catholics.
Cathedral Choir leads Christmas concert, prayers
On Dec. 8 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, the Cathedral Choir and a chamber ensemble will present seasonal choral music and sing-along holiday favorites, plus Advent prayers.
Lebanon’s Catholic leaders urge protesters to remain peaceful, civilized
Sparked by Lebanon's economic crisis and rampant political corruption, the nationwide revolt -- which includes Christians, Shiite and Sunni Muslims and Druze -- aims for a sweeping overhaul of the country's political system.
Cathedral hosts free, one-day Advent retreat
The archdiocesan Office for Consecrated Life welcomes Sister Sara Butler for a retreat on Saturday, Dec. 14 on the theme, “The Three Comings of Christ.” Mass, confessions, quiet time, two talks and lunch are featured.
Religious fundamentalism is a ‘plague,’ pope says
Pope Francis said interreligious dialogue is an important way to counter fundamentalist groups -- "all religions have some fundamentalist first cousin" -- as well as the unjust charge that religions sow division.
Energy-efficient lights to adorn Vatican Christmas tree
The "next generation" lights are meant to have a reduced impact on the environment and use less energy.
More must be done to include women in church bodies, pope says
Although people may have different ways of praying or of serving their parish or the poor, the Catholic Church needs laity, priests, religious, parishes and lay movements to collaborate in order to be truly "catholic," Pope Francis said.
Efforts to protect life include promoting disarmament, pope says
A commitment to defending and protecting human life requires a commitment to ending wars and to promoting nuclear disarmament, Pope Francis said.
Pope blesses hands of doctors, nurses at pediatric hospital
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu children's hospital Nov. 16, the pope encouraged medical professionals to "never to lose the ability to see the suffering face of a child even behind a simple sample to be analyzed.