A Bolivian bishop has reportedly banned Communion being received in the hand at Masses in his diocese. The Rorate Caeli blog reported that Bishop Krzysztof (Cristobal) Białasik of Oruro made this declaration. This came after it was noticed that some people received the host, but did not consume it. These people apparently wished to carry Read more
Whether it’s non-Catholics who attend Mass with their Catholic significant others or folks who are inquiring about the faith; if you weren’t brought up with Mass, your first (and second and third…) time can be very confusing—making people feel like they’re, “in on a secret that I’m not in on.” Here are some answers to Read more
A Brazilian bishop has clamped down on chatter during the Sign of Peace at Mass. Bishop Milton Kenan Junior of Barretos issued a decree on the distribution of Communion, the exchange of peace and norms for extraordinary ministers. The bishop stated that during the exchange of peace, the faithful should avoid moving around too much. Read more
There are at least two reasons why you should care about how you dress for Mass. First, because of what it says to others. Dressing nicely communicates respect and honor. When you dress specially for Mass, you’re telling God, “You are worth the effort; you deserve my best.” It tells your fellow worshippers, “I take Read more
An American bishop has launched a broadside against the way some people turn up at Mass wearing very casual dress. Writing in his diocesan newspaper, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island complained of “an habitual lack of reverence . . .”. Bishop Tobin wrote that he had seen and received complaints about “the sloppy Read more
An Italian bishop has warned that Catholics who go to Mass at chapels staffed by the traditionalist Society of St Pius X incur excommunication. Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano diocese said SSPX bishops and priests are suspended from priestly ministry. When the faithful receive the sacraments from them, “they break communion with the Catholic Church”. Read more
Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, has attended his first public Catholic Mass in an official capacity, during a visit to Malta. The Duke of Cambridge was in the Mediterranean nation representing Queen Elizabeth II at the 50th anniversary of Malta’s independence. He went to a Thanksgiving Mass at St John’s Read more
Priests in England and Wales have been told to put up with noisy children at Mass, as Church leaders encourage more families to go to church on Sundays. Bishop Kieran Conroy, who chairs the England and Wales bishops’ evangelisation committee, said he “strongly discouraged” priests from intervening to prevent children talking during Mass. Bishop Conry, the Read more
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI looked refreshed and stood for an hour and a half during a Mass with his former students this week. Members of the Ratzinger “schuelerkreis” or “student circle” had been meeting at Castel Gandolfo in Italy, and then travelled to the Vatican for a Mass on August 24, with Benedict as principal Read more
Catholic dioceses in Nigeria have advised priests to skip the Sign of Peace at Mass as one of several measures against the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. West Africa is faces a worsening crisis from the disease. Nigerian priests in some dioceses have also been advised to refrain from giving Communion on the tongue, unless Read more