Sacraments

The Latest

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Reconciliation on the rise? Catholics coming back to confession, poll suggests

Oct 1, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

In some corners of the country, the statistics were a welcome sign that the Church’s efforts are working.  Read more

CNA

Vatican doctrine office releases note on discerning the validity of the sacraments

Feb 3, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The new document signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Fernández is titled “Gestis Verbisque,” or “Deeds and Words.”  Read more

Maximiliano Pavillaux walks in the mud to reach the parish for confirmation on Nov. 11, 2023. / The child receives the recognition of Pope Francis from Bishop Mauricio Landra, the auxiliary bishop of Mercedes-Luján, Argentina.

Boy walks 7 miles on muddy roads to receive confirmation, gets a blessing from the pope

Dec 5, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The night before confirmation, the boy’s parents began to worry because the family vehicles were not going to make it... Read more

Michael and Deanna Johnston of Tyler, Texas, hold hands during an interview.

Should the Church require a year of marriage prep? Catholic formators weigh in

Jun 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican last week released a document with recommendations for a year-long “marriage catechumenate” to prepare Catholic couples for the... Read more

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Invalid baptisms: A Catholic explainer about the facts and the fears 

Feb 11, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Baptism involves a simple formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and too... Read more

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Phoenix priest who botched baptisms for decades apologizes, seeks to make amends

Feb 7, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A Catholic priest in Phoenix has apologized, asked forgiveness, and resigned as parish pastor after a determination that he had... Read more

Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Analysis: The communion controversy could be far greater than just pro-abortion politicians

Feb 10, 2021

By Matt Hadro

As U.S. bishops debate whether to deny Communion to unrepentantly pro-abortion Catholic politicians, there is a larger conversation happening that... Read more

CNA

Death in the modern age – and how to prepare as a Catholic

Nov 2, 2020

By Adelaide Mena

Death. It’s a subject seen as sad, morbid and fearful, something that people would rather not think about, and certainly... Read more

My baptism was valid...right?

Aug 24, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

Last week, the news broke that Father Matthew Hood of the Archdiocese of Detroit had this summer learned that he... Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican: Baptisms administered 'in name of the community' are invalid

Aug 6, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s doctrinal office issued Thursday a clarification on the sacrament of baptism, stating changes to the formula to emphasize... Read more

St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey.

Island in English Channel permits public Masses as UK churches remain closed

May 28, 2020

The first public Masses in the British Isles since the coronavirus lockdown will be celebrated Monday on the island of... Read more

Confessional.

USCCB liturgy chair: No cell phones for confession, no delegation of sacramental anointing

Mar 27, 2020

By JD Flynn

The chair of the U.S. bishops’ committee on liturgy wrote to U.S. bishops Friday, to clarify issues related to the... Read more

Sign language.

New sacrament formation program released in American Sign Language 

Jan 31, 2020

A new sacrament formation program for the deaf and hard of hearing is offering adult catechetical information in American Sign... Read more

First Communion.

Dublin archdiocese to shift sacrament prep from schools to parishes, families

Dec 4, 2019

Catholic sacramental preparation must change to stress the primary role of families and to reach students who do not go... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday April 19, 2019.

Pope Francis' message to those suffering 'at the foot of the cross'

Nov 15, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told those who are sick and suffering Friday that the world needs their prayers.  Read more

First Communion.

Parents, parishes should have greater role in sacrament prep, Dublin survey says

May 16, 2019

A survey in the Archdiocese of Dublin suggests that parents and educators are interested in changing the model of sacramental... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Chrism Mass April 18, 2019.

Pope Francis: Like holy oil, priests must pour themselves out for others

Apr 18, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The holy oil blessed at the Chrism Mass is a reminder of the priest’s call to be close to the... Read more

Confirmation.

Bishop confirms 15 inmates at Mexican prison visited by Pope Francis

May 8, 2018

Bishop José Guadalupe Torres Campos of Ciudad Juárez, in Chihuahua state, Mexico, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 15 inmates... Read more

Confessional.

What to do if you're too ashamed to go to Confession

Feb 22, 2018

While Reconciliation is intended to allow Christ’s victory to overcome sin in our lives, what happens when shame over one’s... Read more

Priest's hospital room mix-up allows dying woman to receive sacraments

Jan 6, 2018

Shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, Fr. Gregorio Hidalgo went to a hospital to give Communion to a patient.... Read more