-
Lent
Faith and flowers: Special rules keep God's house simply beautiful
There are many traditions observed during the season of Lent, and one of the more visible is the stark change in church decor and a complete absence of flowers.
However...
-
Lent
Jesus is close by, just open your eyes, Pope Leo tells young people
"As a good and caring Shepherd, the Lord always waits for us and accompanies us, wherever we live and however we are," Pope Leo XIV told parishioners during his fourth...
-
Lent
God offers new possibilities, not prohibitions, with his invitation to love, pope says
Beginning with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, humankind has had to face "the age-old dilemma: can I live my life to the fullest by saying 'yes' to God...
-
Lent
Dare to be free, join exodus away from stagnation, pope says on Ash Wednesday
Pope Leo XIV marked the beginning of Lent by highlighting how people, especially younger generations, are looking for an "authentic, honest and attractive" way to take...
-
Lent
Pope invites Catholics to 'disarm' language and build kindness, respect for Lent
In his first message for Lent, Pope Leo XIV asked the faithful to "cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in...
-
Lent
God's mercy, forgiveness pave the path toward hope, pope writes
Pope Francis highlights God's mercy as the source of hope in his message to missionaries of mercy. During their Jubilee celebrations in Rome, the priests reaffirmed the...
-
Lent
Pope writes meditations for Via Crucis at Colosseum, Vatican says
St. John Paul II started the tradition in 1985 of asking different people to write the prayers and meditations on the Stations of the Cross for the annual Good Friday...
-
Lent
Woe to those who end up in media 'meat grinder,' papal preacher says
Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the papal preacher, offered the first of five reflections for Lent this year.
-
Lent
Lenten retreat: Book helps people explore pope's teaching on belonging
A new book guides people through an eight-day Ignatian retreat, but it also provides insights into the spirituality, theology and pastoral practices of Pope Francis, who...
-
Lent
Pope says Lent is time to let go of the frivolous, to choose truth, love
The imposition of ashes at the beginning of Lent reminds people to "return to the truth about ourselves," which is that "the Lord alone is God, and we are the work of his...