Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

Pope requests study of worship congregation before naming new prefect
- Mar 15, 2021
Before Pope Francis names a new prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, he has asked that an outside expert consult with the office’s staff and review its procedures.

By Cindy Wooden
Cardinals Sarah, Comastri retire from Vatican posts
- Feb 22, 2021
Pope Francis accepted the resignations of 75-year-old Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, and 77-year-old Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and vicar for Vatican City State.

By Carol Glatz
Vatican reminds bishops of Holy Week guidelines during pandemic
- Feb 17, 2021
VATICAN CITY — As the COVID-19 pandemic nears its first full year, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments reminded bishops that the guidelines it issued last year for celebrating the Holy Week and Easter liturgies would still be valid this year. Local bishops still must decide the

By Carol Glatz

Pope adds Martha, Mary and Lazarus, church doctors to universal calendar
- Feb 2, 2021
Recognizing their welcome of and witness to Christ, Pope Francis has approved changing the liturgical feast of St. Martha to include her sister and brother, Mary and Lazarus, on the church’s universal calendar of feast days.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Lectors, acolytes: Formal installation means more than service at Mass
- Jan 24, 2021
More than 40 years ago, then-Archbishop William Borders of Baltimore issued a pastoral letter signaling his intention to ask that the “official ministries” of lector and acolyte be opened to women.

By Cindy Wooden
For Ash Wednesday, Vatican asks priests to ‘sprinkle’ ashes on heads
- Jan 12, 2021
The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments asked priests to take special anti-COVID-19 precautions this year when distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, including sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads rather than using them to make a cross on people’s foreheads.

By Catholic News Service
Sacred Scripture needs to be respected, valued, Vatican says
- Dec 21, 2020
In preparation for the Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 24, the Vatican issued recommendations for the day as well as reminders on respecting the sacred Scriptures.

By Carol Glatz
Vatican allows priests to celebrate four Masses on Christmas, feast days
- Dec 17, 2020
The Vatican decreed that priests can celebrate as many as four Masses on several important feast days, including Christmas, to accommodate the participation of the faithful.

By Junno Arocho Esteves