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Liturgy

Pope Francis with Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery of Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments, at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022 | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican worship dicastery’s meeting to focus on proper liturgical formation, implementation

Feb 5, 2024

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments announced that its annual plenary assembly will be held Feb. 6–9 at the Jesuit Curia in Rome.

Three Kings. | Credit: Shutterstock

When Does Christmas Actually End? Here are the Different Views

Jan 2, 2024

Just how many days is Christmas? When should you take the tree down and remove the decorations?

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India. | Achayan via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Dissenting Priests in Syro-Malabar Church Protest Pope Francis’ Christmas Deadline 

Dec 20, 2023

Tensions have risen in the Eastern Catholic Church in the Indian state of Kerala as the deadline approaches to implement a universal liturgy.

Pope Francis meets participants in an international training course for liturgical celebrations in Catholic dioceses on Jan. 20, 2023 | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: In the Mass, Prioritize Awe Over Aesthetics

Jan 21, 2023

Pope Francis on Friday encouraged diocesan leaders to prioritize awe, evangelization, and silence before mere aesthetics in liturgical celebrations like the Mass.

Canonization Mass on May 15, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Publishes Letter on Liturgy to Foster “power of the Christian celebration”

Jun 30, 2022

The 15-page apostolic letter, Desiderio Desideravi, was published on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

Pope Francis meets with the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in the Apostolic Palace on May 7, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis: "It’s not possible to worship God while making the liturgy a battleground"

May 8, 2022

Pope Francis said that the liturgy should not be “a battleground” for “outdated issues.”

Logo of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi/ Credit: Courtesy Photo

Ongoing Plenary of Catholic Bishops in Malawi Addressing “current practices” in Liturgy

Feb 2, 2022

Catholic Bishops taking part in the Annual Plenary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) are deliberating on emerging practices in Liturgical celebrations in the Southern African nation. 

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the first Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 26, 2020. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis to Confer New Lay Ministries for First Time in St. Peter’s Basilica

Jan 18, 2022

The candidates come from three continents.

Three Kings. Shutterstock

When Does Christmas Actually End?

Jan 6, 2022

Just how many days is Christmas? When should you finally take those lights off the porch, or remove the tree? Read on for some of the arguments for and against commonly agreed-upon end dates for Christmas.

null. haak78, Shutterstock

Christmas Falls on a Saturday This Year. What Does That Mean for Mass Obligations? 

Dec 21, 2021

This weekend, Latin rite Catholics have an obligation to attend Mass on both Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, and on the following day, Sunday, Dec. 26. 

Pope Francis says Mass at the chapel of Santa Marta in the Vatican, Sept. 11, 2018. Vatican Media.

Sunday Mass Should Be the Culmination of all Parish Activities, Vatican Cardinal Says

Aug 24, 2021

After pandemic lockdowns led to the suspension of Catholic liturgies in many parts of the world, the Sunday Mass must be reaffirmed as the source and summit of parish life, the Vatican Secretary of State said in a message sent Monday on behalf of the pope. 

Pope Francis' video message to the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Religious (CLAR) on Aug. 13, 2021. Screenshot

Pope Francis Cautions against Misuse of Liturgy that Emphasizes on Ideology

Aug 14, 2021

“Let us not forget that a faith that is not inculturated is not authentic," Pope Francis said.

Pontificio Sant'Anselmo, Rome/ ElijahOwens via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Increasing Influence of Rome-based Pontifical Institute of Liturgy, Sant'Anselmo

Jul 22, 2021

 The new secretary and undersecretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship both have studied at the Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo, an institute in Rome whose school of liturgy has had increasing influence in liturgical norms coming from the Vatican.

Pope Francis, April 21, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis’ Opening of Lector and Acolyte Ministries to Women Explained

Jan 11, 2021

On Jan. 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Luis Ladaria explaining his reasoning for the decision.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass according to the Zaire Use at St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 1, 2019. Credit; Vatican Media.

“Liturgical inculturation in Congo” Shows Holy Spirit Gifts: Pope Francis in Book Preface

Dec 1, 2020

Pope Francis said Tuesday that inculturated liturgy can teach Catholics to better appreciate the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit.