The norms for the United States, established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 1966 and reiterated in November 1973, may be summarized as follows:
God comes to me often in the darkness and reminds me of His love. I trust him and know that He has forgiven me, even though the system has not. Even in prison, He brings people into my life to encourage my spirit, so that I can live for Him and with the hope of pleasing Him somehow.
It may come as a surprise for some Catholics to learn that there is any limitation at all on the frequency with which a priest may celebrate Mass. The truth, however, is that for centuries the church has regulated that number — primarily, to ensure that the Eucharist is celebrated with the dignity and devotion it deserves.
At one time or another, we’ve all yearned secretly for the Madison Avenue version of Christmas.
Quick — light that last purple candle of the Advent wreath before it’s time to clear it off the table to make way for the Christmas centerpiece.
This month, we celebrate the lives of those African-Americans who have made an imprint in church history. One such person is Venerable Pierre Toussaint, who taught that docility to the Holy Spirit can give us inspiration in life and enhance the culture.
Fr. Kenneth Doyle received the following responses to his recent column on the number of people who regularly leave church after receiving the Eucharist. The column appeared in the Oct. 12 edition of the Catholic Herald.
The medieval Catholic Church created the feast of All Saints Nov. 1 to honor the blessed people who could not be included in the church’s formal list of saints. In England, the word “hallow” was used to mean the sacred, and thus there the day was All Hallows’ Day.
Q: I am surprised by the number of people who regularly leave church immediately after receiving the Eucharist. In the diary of St. Faustina, Jesus
I am a Catholic, but I have forgotten why incense is sometimes used at Mass. Please explain, especially with regard to its use at funerals. (Aumsville, Ore.)
