The three-year-old orphan who ‘celebrates’ Mass

A three-year-old Colombian boy has garnered attention across the internet for a video in which he dons priestly garments and “celebrates” Mass, reciting the liturgy from memory. Samuel Jaramillo, who is an orphan, lives with his grandmother and an aunt in the city of Medellin. When family members posted a video of the boy pretending [...]

Filipinos welcome pope’s installation

Filipinos around the country offered Masses and prayers on Tuesday morning as Pope Francis set out on his “Petrine ministry.” Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the bishops’ conference, earlier requested all bishops to offer special prayers for the intention of the Holy Father. Vice President Jejomar Binay left for the Vatican on Monday afternoon to [...]

Manila devotees pay their respects to Calungsod image

Amid the midday heat, devotees lined up in Manila Wednesday to get a glimpse of the image and pay their respects to San Pedro Calungsod, the country’s second saint. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said “thousands” of devotees went to the area near the Manila Cathedral where the Calungsod image resides. “Swarms of [...]

The return of women’s veils at Mass sparks a debate

Retro is in, and I’m all for it, if by “retro” you mean “Mad Men,” midcentury modern furniture and martinis. But mantillas? That’s one fashion trend this vintage-loving girl is skipping. Although I adore the styles of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, I definitely prefer a more 21st-century attitude toward women. If traditionalist Catholic blogs [...]

Use iPad in Mass only during emergencies, say bishops

While they have embraced social networking, smartphones and other new technology, Philippine Catholic bishops are not quite ready to welcome the use of tablet computers as replacements for missals in celebrating the Mass. But the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is open to the use of tablets for such purposes during “emergencies.” “The [...]

Korean riot police break up protesters’ Mass

The diocese of Cheju in South Korea has demanded an official apology after about 20 riot police disrupted a Mass Wednesday on Jeju island.

The kissing conundrum

On the delicate subject of kissing, it seems that some Philippine bishops are not singing from quite the same hymnsheet.

A year without Mass in Baguio mall for each dead tree

He blessed SM Baguio when it opened in 2003, but the bishop of Baguio will no longer conduct blessings, let alone hold Masses in the mall in protest of its expansion project.

Jakarta archbishop holds post-Easter celebration with convicts

Hundreds of Christians imprisoned for drug offenses say a visit by Catholics, including Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, has quenched their spiritual thirst.

Healing priest leads rites for PCSO patients

APART from the medical assistance being provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to thousands of poor patients in the country, the state-owned institution has also sought divine intervention in an effort to help ease their suffering from illness.

Pakistan rewards Church people

MORE than 600 people gathered in Karachi for a special Mass on Sunday to congratulate a Catholic priest and nun who were among this year’s 27 recipients of the country’s highest civilian award.

Cebu archbishop apologizes to faithful

ON the occasion of the renewal of vows for all Catholic priests, the Archbishop of Cebu apologized for shortcomings committed against the people.

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