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March 25, 2016
KINGSBURG, Calif. - Every year on Good Friday, Catholic communities throughout the world re-enact the Way of the Cross with live performances of the story of Christ’s final journey of His earthly life as a powerful reminder of His suffering and sacrifice.
VATICAN CITY — Entering in silence and lying prostrate on the floor in front of the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis commemorated Jesus' death on the cross.
March 26, 2016
TORONTO - The Passion Play originated from the Church’s tradition that the Gospel on Good Friday should be sung in Latin, in parts divided among several people. Its popularity took off in 13th-century Europe and over the centuries has spread worldwide.
WETASKIWIN, ALTA. - Eddie Año’s eyes brim with tears as he recounts taking part in the annual procession of Señor Nazareno in the heart of Manila.
The most significant 11 minutes and 48 seconds in the history of Christianity have been widening the gulf between Orthodox and Western Christians since 1582. But if Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Protestant Christians can get their act together, the world’s Christians might finally start celebrating Easter on the same day.
ROME — Read the Vatican’s English translation of Pope Francis’ prayer last night at the conclusion of the Via Crucis service at Rome’s Colosseum.
March 27, 2016
Before she picked up her paint brush, Belové Da Silva turned to the Bible and was inspired to create what turned out to be a winning entry in The Catholic Register’s annual Easter drawing contest for elementary school children.
Lady Day — the Catholic feast, not 1940s jazz diva Billie Holiday — doesn’t get much attention. It almost always falls too close to Easter and with the many Marian feasts crowding the Catholic calendar, it’s hard to make time for the Feast of the Annunciation. This year it has been moved from its usual March 25 to April 4 so it does not conflict with Good Friday.
VATICAN CITY - Easter is a feast of hope, a celebration of God's mercy and a call to pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said before giving his solemn blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world).
March 28, 2016
VATICAN CITY - The bishop who leads the apostolic vicariate that includes Yemen said he has "strong indications" that Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil "is still alive in the hands of his kidnappers."
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis appealed to the government of Pakistan to take steps to ensure the safety of the country's Christians and other minorities the day after a terrorist bombing killed at least 70 people and injured more than 300 who were spending Easter afternoon in a public park.
March 29, 2016
WASHINGTON - Mother Angelica "reflected the Gospel commission to go forth and make disciples of all nations" said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. bishops' conference.
WASHINGTON - World Youth Day organizers in the United States and Poland remain in touch with diplomatic and security officials in their respective countries to ensure that pilgrims will remain safe during the festival of faith in late July.
ROME - Italy may be the spiritual home of 1.2 billion members of the Catholic Church around the world, but a new poll shows only 50 per cent of Italians consider themselves Catholic.
March 30, 2016
God’s Not Dead 2 is more of art reflecting life when faith is put on trial again in the sequel to the 2014 surprise blockbuster, God's Not Dead.
KARACHI, Pakistan - The terrorist attack that killed more than 70 people in a Lahore park on Easter was not the first time that Christians in the Islamic country have been targeted, and observers say that, as things stand, it will not be the last time.
OTTAWA - Canadian bishops are calling on Catholic institutions to tell “a truthful history” of the Church’s interaction with indigenous peoples.
OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked the federal government to “reconsider” its decision to close the Office of Religious Freedom.
DHAKA, Bangladesh - Christian religious leaders across Asia called for Muslims to take a stand against Islamic extremists, seek reconciliation and forgiveness, and pursue a peaceful interpretation of religion in the aftermath of the Easter massacre at a public park in Pakistan.
MANCHESTER, England - Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore, Pakistan, said he was grief stricken while visiting hospitalized child victims of an Easter bomb attack in a city park.