Question Corner: Does holy water ‘absolve’ us from venial sin? March 25, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner With respect to holy water in particular, St. Thomas Aquinas specifically identifies the “sprinkling of holy water” as a means for the remission of venial sin in question 87, article 3 of the “Third Part” of his work the “Summa Theologica.”
Why does the Annunciation loom so large in Catholicism? March 23, 2026By Elizabeth Scalia OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Marian Devotion The Annunciation is the full-on proof of Augustine’s words: “God created us without us, but he will not save us without us.” Just as God’s own Word of assent was necessary for the creation and sustained expansion of the universe, Mary’s “yes” was necessary to its salvation.
What I have done and what I have failed to do March 23, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I’m on a quest to attend 226 Masses during 2026. So, back at the end of January, I decided to try to go to Mass every day of February. February is the shortest month, so I thought maybe I would have a chance at hitting that goal. But going every day is a real challenge […]
What are the three holy oils? March 22, 2026By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Easter, Worship & Sacraments The Church makes use of three holy oils: the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the holy chrism oil. The first two are blessed, and the bishop consecrates the third, ordinarily during the annual chrism Mass. Each has a distinctive purpose in the Church.
Archbishop John Hughes: A new breed of bishop for the 19th century March 21, 2026By Russell Shaw OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Commentary John Hughes reigned — the word fits his style — as Archbishop of New York from December 1842 until his death in January 1864. In that time he established himself in the eyes of his fellow Americans as a Catholic bishop unlike any they’d seen up to then.
When Lent is extra Lenty, you need Holy Week even more March 20, 2026By Laura Kelly Fanucci OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent In the years when life becomes extra Lenty, the gift of the Triduum becomes even more clear. As a Church we enter completely into the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Question Corner: How do you proceed if an ex refuses to be a part of the annulment process? March 19, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner An important principle in the Church’s law regarding the marriage nullity process is treating both spouses as fairly as possible.
Three great Lenten themes March 18, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, The Catholic Difference Lent thus reminds us that salvation history does not consist in humanity’s search for God, but in God’s entrance into history so that humanity may learn to take the same path into the future that God is taking.
Being here March 18, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, The Domestic Church During Lent, God offers us a special invitation to recognize his presence in our lives. We can add prayer time or take on more works of charity or give in numerous ways. And maybe we can simply prioritize time with God, listening to him and looking for his fingerprints on our lives.
Setting a table for St. Joseph’s Day March 18, 2026By Scott Noto OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints On March 19 each year Catholics celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, protector of the family and patron of the universal Church and of workers. The importance of this day in Catholic tradition extends throughout the world, but one related custom in particular originated on the island of Sicily: St. Joseph’s Table.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate and the terrors of mid-Lent March 16, 2026By Elizabeth Scalia OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent St. Patrick might advise, such darkness is still and always with us, looking easy and glamorous as it sucks us into the black and whirling vortexes of sin. The battle between light and dark still continues all round us, and invites us in.
A Sacred Transformation (or a visit to a hospital chapel) March 15, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window I was looking around, wondering whether the Mass would be offered in a different space, when a man passed me pushing a rolling cart.
