The relics St. Helena brought to Rome from the Holy Land

A fragment on the True Cross on which Jesus was condemned to death / Daniel Ibanez/CNARome Newsroom, Aug 18, 2022 / 04:00 am (CNA).On Aug. 18, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Helena. The mother of Constantine the Great, St. Helena, is believed to have restored many sites in the Holy Land, where she discovered the cross on which Christ died and other relics from his Passion, some of which she brought back with her to Rome.These relics can still be venerated today, in Rome's Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.The basilica was originally a chapel designed by St. Helena to hold the relics of the True Cross found on Calvary. The chapel had been part of an imperial palace Constantine gave to his mother when he moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople.The church has undergone many changes over time. One of the relics on display in the basilica's relic chapel was rediscovered inside a wall during a restoration in the 15th century after it had li...

What you need to know about Pope Francis' next consistory

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 28, 2020. / Vatican Media.Rome Newsroom, Aug 17, 2022 / 05:31 am (CNA).On Saturday, Aug. 27, Pope Francis will place a red biretta on the heads of 18 bishops and two priests, declaring them to be cardinals "to the glory of almighty God and the honor of the Apostolic See."Here's what you need to know:What is a consistory?A consistory is a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals. The pope can convene them for several different reasons.One of the most common reasons for a consistory is to create new cardinals. The ceremony in which the pope makes cardinals is an ordinary public consistory.In addition to the red biretta, at the Aug. 27 ceremony, Pope Francis will also place a ring on the hand of each new cardinal while saying: "Receive this ring from the hand of Peter and know that, with the love of the Prince of the Apostles, your love for the Church is strengthened."The pope will also assign each new c...

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Arlington Bishop offers path forward after implementing Latin Mass restrictions

A Traditional Latin Mass. / Andrew Gardner via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0).Boston, Mass., Aug 17, 2022 / 07:20 am (CNA).Bishop Michael Burbidge offered some additional thoughts on the recent guidelines he issued restricting the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington. The new restrictions were imposed following liturgical directives given by Pope Francis in July 2021."I think we accomplished our goals of showing fidelity to the Holy Father, to the Holy See, and [were] also mindful that we are still providing the celebration of this Mass throughout our diocese," Burbidge said on the diocese's "Walk Humbly Podcast" on Aug. 10.Effective September 8, Burbidge's directives allow eight parishes to continue offering the Latin Mass. But only three of those parishes are allowed to continue offering the Extraordinary Form in their main church. The other five parishes may only celebrate the Latin Mass in other designated locations. The eight parishes are not allowed to...

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Arlington Bishop offers path forward after implementing Traditional Latin Mass restrictions

A Traditional Latin Mass. / Andrew Gardner via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0).Boston, Mass., Aug 17, 2022 / 07:20 am (CNA).Bishop Michael Burbidge offered some additional thoughts on the recent guidelines he issued restricting the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington. The new restrictions were imposed following liturgical directives given by Pope Francis in July 2021."I think we accomplished our goals of showing fidelity to the Holy Father, to the Holy See, and [were] also mindful that we are still providing the celebration of this Mass throughout our diocese," Burbidge said on the diocese's "Walk Humbly Podcast" on Aug. 10.Effective September 8, Burbidge's directives allow eight parishes to continue offering the Latin Mass. But only three of those parishes are allowed to continue offering the Extraordinary Form in their main church. The other five parishes may only celebrate the Latin Mass in other designated locations. The eight parishes are not allowed to...