The history of St. Mary Major, the basilica where Pope Francis will be entombed April 23, 2025By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News This basilica, rebuilt and magnificently adorned over the centuries, has been a rallying point for popes and laypeople, for Romans and pilgrims alike, to venerate the maternity and life of the Blessed Mother.
What are the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross? April 15, 2025By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent Unlike the followers of Christ on that Good Friday, we know that the 14th station is not the end, that death does not win; rather, in his sacrifice, we find the sure knowledge of eternal life.
Signs and themes of Eastertide April 12, 2025By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Easter Just the name “Easter” brings thoughts of new life, springtime, of freshness, of the Resurrection. This is not only a day — not only a few weeks on the church calendar — but, for Christians, a way of life.
St. Patrick: Do you know the myth or the man? March 13, 2025By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints Surprisingly, given the popularity and influence of the day, many revelers know little about St. Patrick the man.
The Way of the Cross: Not only for Lent March 6, 2025By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent Frequently and piously walking with him, contemplating his suffering and sharing our crosses, especially when we feel abandoned or in despair, gives us courage and hope.
Celebrating the gift of salvation all Christmas season long December 26, 2024By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Feature There are feasts and events in the first month of the year that help us assimilate the miracle of Christmas Day and understand who this new child is, his divinity and the meaning of his birth.
The Christmas octave: Continuing the celebration December 25, 2024By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Feature Every day of the Christmas octave is filled with meaning that reflects back on the Nativity — not just the birth of Christ, but the impact and reality of the birth.
Ash Wednesday’s significance February 13, 2024By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent when we go to that early Mass on Ash Wednesday morning and receive the blessed ashes on our forehead, we are repeating a somber, pious act that Catholics have been undergoing for over 1,500 years.
Fasting and abstinence: More than laws of the church February 13, 2024By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent As the penitential season of Lent begins, we Catholics, like Christians everywhere, prepare to commemorate the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
