‘Sons of Thunder’ vocations group teaches boys how to be Catholic men
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 7, 2025 / 06:00 am A little over a year ago, Father Matthew Gonzalez, a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, had the idea to create a group for boys in grades eight to 12 that focuses on vocations and what it means to be a […]
How to pray the St. Thérèse of Lisieux novena
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Oct 1, 2025 / 05:00 am The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, on Oct. 1. Born to Zelie and Louis Martin in 1873 — both canonized saints — Thérèse was the youngest of five siblings. Devout from a young […]
Pope Leo XIV: ‘European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism’
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Sep 29, 2025 / 14:52 pm Pope Leo XIV on Monday said European institutions need “people who know how to live a healthy secularism” while urging recognition that religion has value both on a personal and social level. “When the religious dimension is authentic and well cultivated, it can greatly […]
How to become Catholic in 2025: A step-by-step guide
CNA Staff, May 23, 2025 / 13:35 pm The election of Pope Leo XIV earlier this month has — at least according to Google search data — led to a renewed interest in people searching for information on how to “become Catholic.” This follows several years of anecdotal reports of a surge of people joining […]
Pope Francis tells young people ‘learn how to listen’ in video published after death
By Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Apr 27, 2025 / 17:45 pm In a video message published after his death, but recorded in January, Pope Francis encouraged young people to work on listening well to others. The video, shared by the Italian weekly magazine “Oggi,” was made public one day after the funeral Mass of Pope […]
How to pray this year’s ‘9 Days for Life’ novena starting Jan. 16
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Jan 15, 2025 / 17:10 pm This year, the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., is taking place on Jan. 24. Ahead of the march, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) is inviting the faithful to take part in its “9 Days for Life” initiative. “9 […]
How to gain a plenary indulgence for the end of the year and the beginning of 2025
By Diego López Marina ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 31, 2024 / 16:00 pm On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and the first day of the new year, the Catholic Church offers the opportunity to obtain plenary indulgences as a sign of God’s mercy and the desire for sanctification of all her members. A plenary indulgence […]
How to accompany cancer patients? Four experts propose some ways
By Walter Sánchez Silva Lima Newsroom, Nov 9, 2024 / 07:00 am “You have cancer.” These brief but shocking words stir up many feelings in a patient and those around him or her, including the fear of death. Fighting cancer is not easy and many don’t know what to do in such a situation, beyond […]
Synod on Synodality delegates urge young Catholics to learn how to listen to others in a polarized world
By Kristina Millare Vatican City, Oct 19, 2024 / 10:00 am More than 30 students — most of whom were from the U.S. — from over 10 universities attended “The University Students in Dialogue with Synod Leaders,” an Oct. 18 event organized by the General Secretariat of the Synod held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. The […]
How to obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee
The jubilee year is a time when Catholics are especially encouraged to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Apostolic Penitentiary lists visiting prisoners, spending time with lonely elderly people, aiding the sick or disabled, and helping those who are in need as instances to obtain an indulgence. Practicing the works of mercy, […]