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Smiling behind their bushy beards, the gray-frocked Franciscan Friars of the Renewal served up Easter brunch for the homeless once again this year -- a beloved feature of Easter in the South Bronx.

Scripture makes clear that the Sabbath is a day of rest. But for most Americans, including many Catholics, it ends up being a day of restlessness.

Despite difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, parishes are welcoming groups of catechumens and candidates into the Catholic Church this Easter who have had to learn about the faith largely through virtual meetings. 

Joe and Millie Hoffman traveled a half hour from Beaverton, Oregon, to attend the Mass for the feast of St. Joseph March 19 at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Not only is Joe named for the earthly father of Jesus, but the whole family has consecrated themselves to the saint.

Under COVID-19 pandemic isolation and its steadily escalating death toll, managing the anxiety of ordinarily stressful life passages has become exponentially unbearable.

Christmas traditions in my life, particularly growing up, have helped shape my faith; and as my husband and I strive to pass on these traditions to our children, we hope that they will also help strengthen and build the foundation of their faith.

Las Posadas processions finish with a spread of traditional culinary treats. Cider, hot chocolate and cookies are among the offerings. Sure to be present are biscochitos, New Mexico's state cookie

Art invites us to look at Scripture in new ways. Nativity scenes usually focus on the Holy Family, but this painting focuses on the shepherds, centered in the middle of the painting.

With immense gratitude I am blessed to spend each day helping to take care of my mom, drawing on her love and being inspired by her.

As Louisma Toussaint weighs babies and administers their vaccinations in her impoverished Caribbean Sea country of Haiti, she's also carrying out a vital mission of Catholic social teaching.

Separation. It is a reality of life that most of us have encountered in some form in 2020. Whether we have been separated from our families, friends or loved ones, found ourselves removed from our regular routines or felt the symptoms of disconnection from others that manifest spiritually and emotionally, separation has been a prominent feature of this year.

The 19th-century English poet Christina Rossetti had never heard of COVID-19, climate change or many of the woes that beset us in the bleak midwinter of 2020.

Long months of the vicious COVID-19 pandemic preceded the arrival of this year's Advent season leading to Christmas. Neither Advent nor Christmas in 2020 will escape the pandemic's shadow.

At his baptism at a Catholic church in Shanghai, Dalù said that he “cried like a baby” knowing that his sins were being washed away. His journey to faith began with singing Christmas carols in 2009, and eventually led him to seek asylum in Rome.

Moses models "face to face" prayer in stillness and silence before God, the director of the annual Lenten papal retreat told members of the Roman Curia. Authentic prayer is an encounter with the “fire” that makes us capable of carrying out our prophetic mission of witness, he said.

VATICAN CITY -- During his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis discussed the second beatitude, Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted, emphasizing the value of compunction.

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.

VATICAN CITY -- An icon of the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus was chosen as the official logo for the worldwide celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God.

VATICAN CITY -- A true apostle is one who continues to be a courageous and joyful evangelizer even in the face of persecution and certain death, Pope Francis said.

A church-run radio station in the Philippines has launched a nationwide campaign among Catholics to mark their "Holy Birth Day."