Understanding the ‘front porch of Lent’

As we approach the liturgical season of Lent, OSV publisher Scott R. Richert writes that Roman Catholics could benefit from a return to the practice of Shrovetide — a time of preparation before Ash Wednesday where we set aside sinful habits in

Understanding time in the Church calendar

A reader asks why the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is celebrated after the feast of his baptism. Monsignor Charles Pope says that this is not the only example where the chronological events of Christ’s life are celebrated in a

So, the Easter season is over. Now what?

Each Pentecost, the Pantheon in Rome has a tradition where rose petals rain down from the open ceiling upon the congregation, imitating the Holy Spirit descending as tongues of fire upon the apostles. If you've never seen a photo or video of