Sacraments Archives

New Hampshire diocese becomes latest to restore order of sacraments

A Latin-rite diocese in New Hampshire has begun the process of restoring the reception of the sacraments to the traditional order of baptism, confirmation and first Holy Communion. The goal is to make sure Catholics understand that formation in the Catholic faith is “lifelong.”

The unraveling of Catholicism’s rich sacramental tapestry

Father Robert Imbelli wonders whether the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, after fifty years of checkered reception, has resulted in a new Pentecost or a new Babel. He ponders whether the idea and practice of sacramental Catholicism has been discarded by some to the detriment of many.

Pastoral handbook on ‘Amoris’ says answer is no on Communion

In a pastoral handbook for the implementation of “Amoris Laetitia,” three professors from Rome’s John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family say the document does not permit Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried, only a less complete participation in the sacraments.

Ten years in, is the old Latin Mass becoming a separate ‘rite’?
- Commentary, Global Church
- February 3, 2017
When Pope Benedict XVI liberalized permission for celebration of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass in 2007, he insisted he was creating two forms of the one Roman rite. Ten years later, however, it’s legitimate to ask if we actually have two separate rites.
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A template for real Catholic reform in 2017
- Commentary, Vatican
- January 11, 2017
One of the key principles of reform is the idea of return, or rediscovery. To reform is not to change one’s nature or alter one’s identity, but to return to the truth of oneself that may have become distorted or atrophied over time.
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Montreal archbishop: ‘Physician-assisted suicide plants seed of death in democracy’
- Global Church, Interviews
- December 5, 2016
What can the U.S. Church do faced with the drive to assisted suicide in so many states? The first thing is to look north of the border, where the experience in Quebec holds important lessons. Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, shares some of them with Crux contributor Chris White.
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