Faith

An altar server holds a copy of the new English translation of the Roman Missal during Mass. The new missal was used for the first time in churches across the nation on the first Sunday of Advent 2011.

New missal meets with American approval

WASHINGTON - A wide majority of Massgoers are satisfied with the new English translation of the Roman Missal introduced a year ago at Advent, a survey showed.

By Dennis Sadowski, Catholic News Service

Jesuit Father Jose Funes, the head of the Vatican Observatory, gave his reassurances that the world will not end Dec. 21, 2012.

Vatican newspaper: World will end, but not because of Mayan calendar

VATICAN CITY - A papal astronomer gave his reassurances that the world will not end Dec. 21, 2012.

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Greatness in the ordinary

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C) Dec. 23 (Micah 5:2-5; Psalm 80; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45)

Human beings are usually attracted to the powerful, beautiful, talented and prestigious. God has a very different view — throughout the Bible God repeatedly chooses the youngest, smallest, weakest and most insignificant as His instruments.

By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J

Pope Benedict XVI greets Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, and his wife, Dorian, after making remarks at the conclusion of the opening Mass of the International Congress on the Church in America in St. Peter's Basilica at the V atican Dec. 9.

Pope: Americas need renewed missionary spirit, well-catechized laity

VATICAN CITY - The universal church needs Catholics in the Americas who are joyful missionaries

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Message for the 2012 Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous People

In response to an invitation earlier this year by the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council

By Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

A firefighter places a wreath of flowers on a statue of Mary high atop a column at the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8. The annual tradition marks the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Gospel is good news of freedom from sin, selfishness, death, Pope says

ROME - In the immaculate conception of Mary, Christians recognize the

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

A Mass-goer prays in the Guadalupe chapel inside St. Ignatius Cathedral in Shanghai in this 2007 file photo. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- most popular in Mexico and the Americas -- has been well-received by Catholics around the globe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe's devotion extends beyond the Americas

MEXICO CITY - Ana Rita Valero received an unlikely request in 2008. Valero, an anthropologist and president of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, was asked by an official with the Mexican consulate in Shanghai to send two large images of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

By David Agren, Catholic News Service

An authentic "sense of faith," can come only when Catholics actively participate in the life of the church and follow the teaching of the pope and bishops, Pope Benedict XVI said Dec. 7 during a meeting with members of the International Theological Commission.

Catholic beliefs are not open to popular vote, pope says

VATICAN CITY - When the Catholic Church affirms the importance of how all the faithful understand matters of faith and morals, it is not saying Catholic beliefs are open to a popular vote, Pope Benedict XVI said.