Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Archives

Pope names English archbishop to lead worship congregation

May 27, 2021

Pope Francis named English Archbishop Arthur Roche to lead the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the Vatican said.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Vatican approves new invocations for Litany of St. Joseph

May 1, 2021

Updating the Litany of St. Joseph, approved in 1909, the Vatican has added seven invocations, including two that address the guardian of Jesus and husband of Mary as “support in difficulty” and “patron of refugees.”

By Cindy Wooden

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