arts & culture
Fatima shrine will not remove Rupnik mosaic, but suspends promotional use, spokesperson says
A representative of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal said it is not considering the removal of artwork by Father Marko Rupnik days after the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France announced it would cover mosaics created by the disgraced priest.
Lourdes bishop covering Father Rupnik’s mosaics on sanctuary’s basilica doors
Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes has decided to cover mosaics by Father Marko Rupnik at the entrance of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, a move aimed at making the basilica more welcoming for all, particularly victims of abuse.
After Notre Dame, another iconic French church will get its spire back after 180 years
Following the restoration of Notre Dame in Paris, significant work began in March on the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis basilica, located near Paris. This historic site, known as the necropolis of French kings, is undergoing a major reconstruction project.
St. Peter’s Basilica becomes a ‘fixable,’ explorable Minecraft world
Students around the world now have a chance to be an explorer-restorer of the 519-year-old basilica thanks to a new online educational opportunity created by Minecraft Education, Microsoft’s game-based learning platform, and with the help of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City State.
Flannery O’Connor’s 100th birthday parties celebrate author’s quirks, talents — and love of birds
Long before Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor raised her famous peacocks as an adult in rural Georgia, she kept canaries and chickens at 207 E. Charlton St., her childhood home in Savannah.
Davidsonville parishioner’s art guided by the Holy Spirit
Shana McDonough never expected all the fuss over her sketches, which she did quickly with oil pastels and with little thought other than Googling each woman for basic research.
Vatican unveils ‘lost’ Renaissance painting of the deposition of Christ
A painting of Christ being laid in the tomb, long hidden under layers of overpainting and forgotten by history, will once again be visible to the public in an upcoming exhibit at the Vatican.
Amsterdam unwraps papal ‘birthday gift’: St. Nicholas Basilica is named co-cathedral
The elevation Mass of St. Nicholas Basilica in Amsterdam to co-cathedral attracted a large crowd of attendees and dignitaries from home and abroad to the Dutch capital on March 8.
New stamp honors William F. Buckley Jr., lifelong Catholic and conservative thinker
The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a stamp honoring the late William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), a lifelong devout Catholic who was an intellectual, provocative commentator well-known for his sharp wit. Buckley is considered a founder of modern conservatism.
French bishops publish major study to boost interest in faith, help save churches
After publishing the results of the General Estates on Religious Heritage project, French bishops navigate the restoration of historic churches not only to help preserve crumbling architectural pearls but also draw people closer to faith.
