The term Holy See comes from the Latin sancta sedes, meaning “holy chair,” and originates from the enthronement ceremony of the bishop of Rome, the pope. Strictly speaking, the cathedra, i.e., the chair or throne, represents the position and authority … Continued
The papal crown, or tiara, was traditionally worn by the popes until the pontificate of Pope John Paul I. Like many ceremonial items, the papal tiara developed over time. Since the pope is also the bishop of Rome, he wears … Continued
White is the color of the cassock worn by the Holy Father. This custom dates from the pontificate of Pope St. Pius V (1566-72), who was a Dominican priest and wanted to retain the color of his white religious habit. … Continued
Pope Benedict will be known officially as “Roman pontiff emeritus.” Of course “Roman pontiff” refers specifically to the office of St. Peter. Moreover, he is also the bishop emeritus of Rome, retaining the sacred character received at his ordination as … Continued
The change in the translation is for two reasons: First, “for many” accurately translates the words our Savior spoke at the Last Supper. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we read, “Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave … Continued
The simple answer is as follows: If invited to such a ceremony, as stated above, one should decline, responding, “My religious beliefs hold that marriage is between a man and woman, and therefore I will not be able to attend,” … Continued
Yes, “the Easter duty” is still applicable, although with slight adjustments. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) had mandated, “Every faithful of either sex who has reached the age of discretion should at least once a year faithfully confess all his … Continued
In accord with the gospels, Easter is the solemn feast celebrating the resurrection of Christ. In the Western tradition of the Church, Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the new full moon which occurs on or immediately … Continued
Here is one time when the “straight answer” is not going to be clearly “straight.” As stated in the question, Lent does begin on Ash Wednesday and is a special forty-day preparation for the celebration of Easter. Also as stated … Continued
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose for our salvation– to forgive our sins and to offer us everlasting life in Heaven. Moreover, He wanted His healing ministry of forgiveness for sin to continue through the Sacrament of Penance. … Continued
Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called “Shrovetide,” the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for “Carnival,” which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning “to … Continued
The Stations of the Cross which follow the path of Christ from Pontius Pilate’s praetorium to Christ’s tomb have been a popular devotion in parishes, especially during Lent and the preparation for Easter. In the 16th century, this pathway was … Continued
Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice, and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. In the desire to renew the liturgical practices of the Church, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II … Continued
The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality, and penance. For instance, in the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus (or … Continued
At the Easter Vigil Mass, the new fire is blessed, the paschal candle is lit, and the beautiful Exultet is sung. The opening verses set the theme for the Easter celebration: “Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all … Continued
The pretzel indeed has its origins as an official food of Lent. However, much of the information available is based on tradition that has been handed down through the ages. Nevertheless, the Vatican Library actually has a manuscript illustrating one … Continued
To understand why the title “Lamb of God” is used for Christ, we must first appreciate the celebration of Passover. Recall that at about 1250 BC, the Israelites were slaves of Egypt. Almighty God heard the cry of His people: … Continued
The Catechism, quoting Pope Pius XII’s beautiful encyclical on the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Haurietis Aquas (1956), states, “[Jesus] has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by … Continued
In approaching this question, we must first examine the word hell. Usually, when we hear the word hell, we immediately think of the place of eternal damnation for those who have rejected God in this life and have committed mortal … Continued
The Passion of Christ, from the Latin patior meaning “suffer,” refers to those sufferings our Lord endured for our redemption from the agony in the garden until His death on Calvary. The Passion Narratives of the gospels provide the details … Continued