Liturgy

The Latest

Pope Francis addressed members of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2024, to discuss the importance of liturgical reform as a core feature of the broader “renewal of the Church.”

Pope Francis: ‘Without liturgical reform there is no reform of the Church’ 

Feb 8, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The pope recalled Vatican II’s objective of renewing the Church’s “fundamental dimensions” such as “spiritual, pastoral, ecumenical, and missionary” work.  Read more

Pope Francis with Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery of Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments, at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022

Vatican worship dicastery’s meeting to focus on proper liturgical formation, implementation

Feb 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments announced that its annual plenary assembly will be held... Read more

The Vatican on Jan. 10, 2024, announced the confirmation of the election of a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India, Bishop Raphael Thattil.

Pope Francis confirms new head of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Jan 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has confirmed a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India. Read more

Three Kings.

When does Christmas actually end? Here are the different views

Jan 2, 2024

By Christine Rousselle

Just how many days is Christmas? When should you take the tree down and remove the decorations? Read more

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India.

Dissenting priests in Syro-Malabar Church protest Pope Francis’ Christmas deadline 

Dec 20, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Tensions have risen in the Eastern Catholic Church in the Indian state of Kerala as the deadline approaches to implement... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Cardinal Sarah addresses First African Congress on liturgy

Dec 10, 2023

By ACI Africa

Cardinal Robert Sarah recently cautioned against the overuse of cultural elements over Christian ones during liturgical celebrations. Read more

Diane Mahoney's original composition “We Do Believe, O Lord” has been selected as the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress’ official theme song.

Prizewinning National Eucharistic Revival hymns released for use in parishes

Nov 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The sheet music for the official hymns of the upcoming National Eucharistic Revival was made available online last week. Read more

Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Diocese of Tapachula, and Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in the Basilica of Guadalupe in May 2022.

Mexican bishops submit ‘Indigenous liturgical adaptations’ to the Vatican for approval

Jul 27, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

The liturgical adaptations approved by the CEM include incensing, a “senior layperson” role, and ritual dance. Read more

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov's Appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene (1835)

Here’s when Easter officially ends

May 27, 2023

By Katie Yoder

Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost. Read more

Pope Francis meets participants in an international training course for liturgical celebrations in Catholic dioceses on Jan. 20, 2023

Pope Francis: In the Mass, prioritize awe over aesthetics

Jan 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We must rediscover and value silence,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Pope Francis speaks to Catholics from northern and central Italy on Sept. 17, 2022.

Pope Francis: Saint Pius V teaches us to seek truth, pray the rosary

Sep 17, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

This year marks the 450th anniversary of the death of Saint Pius V on May 1, 1572. Read more

A Traditional Latin Mass.

Arlington bishop curtails Traditional Latin Masses

Jul 30, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Thirteen parishes must stop offering Traditional Latin Masses come Sept. 8. Read more

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Priest who offered Mass on inflatable lounge chair in sea: ‘I was perhaps imprudent’

Jul 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

After photos of a shirtless Italian priest celebrating Mass in the sea using an inflatable lounge chair went viral this... Read more

A St. Thomas Christian cross at the installation of Mar Joseph Srampickal at Preston North End stadium, England, on Oct. 9, 2016.

Indian archbishop asked to resign over escalating liturgical dispute

Jul 26, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The dispute over the celebration of a unified liturgy in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has led to the resignation of... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 4, 2022.

Beauty, truth, and unity: Why Pope Francis is so concerned with the liturgy

Jul 21, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Why is the way liturgy is celebrated so important to Pope Francis? In a word, because he is concerned about... Read more

Canonization Mass on May 15, 2022

Pope Francis pens letter on liturgy after Traditionis custodes

Jun 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 15-page apostolic letter, Desiderio Desideravi, was published on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Read more

Pope Francis meets the bishops and priests of the churches of Sicily, Italy, in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on June 9, 2022.

Pope Francis urges Sicily’s Catholic priests to be moral guides — but to drop the lace

Jun 9, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Noting that he has seen photos from Masses in Sicily, the pope appeared to comment on the use of lace... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in the Apostolic Palace on May 7, 2022.

Pope Francis: ‘It’s not possible to worship God while making the liturgy a battleground’

May 7, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said that the liturgy should not be “a battleground” for “outdated issues.” Read more

Pope Francis addresses bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at the Vatican on Oct. 3, 2019.

Pope Francis asks opponents of Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy to take ‘painful step’ of accepting change

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Protests against the change have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals. Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Catholic archdiocese deplores burning of cardinals’ effigies at Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy protest

Mar 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘The archdiocese completely condemns such unchristian protests,’ a spokesman said. Read more