News
What to Expect at a Catholic Funeral: The Vigil, the Funeral Mass, the Committal, and Etiquette
A Catholic funeral has three parts: the Vigil or wake, usually the evening before; the Funeral Mass at the church, about an hour long; and the Rite of Committal at...
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What Happens at a Catholic Baptism? The Ceremony Step by Step, How Long It Takes, and What to Bring
At a Catholic baptism, the child is welcomed at the church door, signed with the cross, prayed for, anointed, and baptized with water “in the name of the Father, and...
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Catholic Wedding Ceremony Order: The Rite Step by Step, From the Processional to the Recessional
A Catholic wedding within Mass follows this order: the entrance procession, greeting, Scripture readings, homily, the questions and the vows, the blessing and exchange of rings, the Universal Prayer, the...
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How to Choose a Confirmation Saint: Steps, Questions to Ask, and Patron Saint Ideas
To choose a Confirmation saint, pray about it, look first at the saint behind your baptismal name, consider saints who share your interests or struggles, read their lives, and talk...
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What Does a Godparent Do? Duties, Catholic Requirements, and Godparent Gifts
A godparent, also called a sponsor, stands with a child at baptism, professes the Christian faith with the parents, and promises to help raise the child through prayer, example, and...
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The Wedding Lasso (El Lazo): Meaning, Tradition, and How It Is Used
The wedding lasso, or *el lazo*, is a large loop of rosary beads, cord, or flowers that sponsors place around the shoulders of the bride and groom after the vows,...
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Baptism Certificates: What They Record and How Churches Keep Baptismal Records
A baptism certificate is a meaningful document that helps a family remember a sacred day, while baptism records preserve the church’s official account of the sacrament or ordinance. The two...
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The Three Holy Oils: Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick
The three holy oils (Sacred Chrism, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Oil of the Sick) are visible signs of the Church’s sacramental life. They are blessed or consecrated for...
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Meaningful Confirmation Gifts: Ideas That Point Back to the Sacrament
Confirmation is the sacrament that completes baptismal grace and is known as the seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. In the rite, the bishop or priest anoints the...
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Anointing Oil Scents and Their Meaning: Frankincense and Myrrh, Spikenard, Rose of Sharon, and Hyssop
Anointing oil scents can help connect a moment of prayer with the language and imagery of Scripture. Frankincense and myrrh, spikenard, Rose of Sharon, hyssop, cinnamon and cassia, cedar, lily...
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