A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
-
The Vatican has issued further guidelines regarding the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass . In a document released Saturday, the Vatican banned confirmations and ordinations celebrated according to pre-Vatican 2 Roman Missals. A Vatican official said the new restrictions aim to foster greater communion in the Church.
The state of New Jersey will now allow for non-doctors to perform abortions. The state will also allow for abortions past the 14th week of pregnancy, in an office setting. The State Board of Medical Examiners unanimously passed the new policies in October. They went into effect this month. The policies allow for physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and advanced practice nurses to perform first trimester abortions.
If you’re in a bad mood, or experiencing self-pity, try serving others. That was the message of Pope Francis on Sunday during his Angelus address in Rome. The pope said that we can help ourselves rise up from difficulties when we help others. He suggested looking for ways to make small acts of kindness for others, like calling somebody who is sick and homebound.
The pope had a belated celebration of his birthday on Sunday. Children and families served by the Vatican’s charitable pediatric clinic, gathered at the Vatican for cake, songs and skits. Pope Francis turned 85 years old on December 17th.
Today is the feast of Saint Dominic of Silos. Dominic was born in the year 1000 in Spain. He was a Benedictine monk, known for his miracles of healing.