Tag: Catholic Sacraments
Vatican statistics: Baptisms down, but first Communions, confirmations up
The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.
Christians’ testimony in Gaza a ‘true miracle’ amid nonstop war
In the shadow of darkness, eight children in Gaza City beamed with joy as they received their first Communion.
Daniel Ang: Absent faith, synodality only a buzzword
As the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality draws to a close, the polarisation over this ecclesial project remains—at least if the online commentary is anything to go by.
Q and A with Fr John Flader: Grandparents and baptism
My married children do not practise their faith and, in spite of the encouragement of my wife and me, they have not had their...
A Sacramental Season
By Francine & Byron Pirola
It’s ‘Sacrament Season’ in Australia: children are busily preparing to make their first Confession, first Holy Communion or Confirmation. Meanwhile,...
Mark Shea: Don’t stint on the Sacrament of Anointing
About a decade ago, I went to confession for the umpteenth time for a sin I had struggled with for years: gluttony.
I had confessed...
