Liturgy

Does Easter belong to Jesus Christ, or to a calendar? For Pope Francis, the answer is clear.

This Easter marks a rare occurrence for Christians as Catholic and Orthodox Churches celebrate the holy day on the same date, Sunday, April 20, for the first time in eight years.

Liturgical leaders in the church must serve as humble guides to prayer rather than be strictly focused on the application of rules, Pope Francis said.

A celebrated Italian Catholic composer and conductor is dismayed with the “very strong decline of the standard of sacred music”.

Pope Francis has added the feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata, a "beacon of hope" and an example of loving service to the poorest of the poor, to the General Roman Calendar so that her "Optional Memorial shall be celebrated by all on 5 September every year."

When a holy day of obligation falls on a Sunday and so is transferred to another day, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to attend Mass, but they are not obliged to do so, the Vatican said.

Rorate Mass celebrated at a Montreal parish continues age old liturgical tradition

Following the example of a group of British cultural icons, a group of American "Catholics and non-Catholics" and prominent cultural and intellectual personalities asked Pope Francis in an open letter July 15 not to further restrict the traditional Latin Mass.