‘Washing of the Feet’ goes outdoors March 28

College students and visitors to downtown Phoenix will have the opportunity to have their feet washed outside St. Mary’s Basilica March 28. Among the many rich traditions of the Paschal Triduum, the washing of the feet at the Holy Thursday liturgy, which this year falls on March 28, can be particularly meaningful, demonstrating the humility and compassionate heart of Jesus Christ. Beyond the liturgy, the washing of the feet also has the capacity to inspire, particularly when it’s tied to serving those experiencing hardship.

NEWS BRIEF: Pro-life Arizonans unite their voices for the unborn

More than 3,000 gathered in downtown Phoenix on March 1 for the Arizona March for Life. Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Olmsted opened the rally, held at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, and was joined by the Sisters of Life in praying the Rosary. Olivia Escobedo from the It Goes Too Far Campaign, reminded attendees of the importance of fighting the Arizona Abortion Access Act: “What we need to do is fight this, because the legislature, if this passes, will have no power to overturn it. We have to talk to every single voter.”

NEWS BRIEF: Three men take the next step toward the priesthood

Seminarians Michael Salemi, Max Rich and Ryan Wiensch were admitted into Candidacy on March 2 at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. This marks the next step on their journey toward ordination. Candidacy is the first, formal recognition by the Church that the seminarians are considered potential priests.

Podcast mega-star Fr. Mike Schmitz to speak at Phoenix fundraiser March 21

The host of the most popular Catholic podcast of all time is coming to Phoenix on March 21. Tickets are now available for the public event that will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Phoenix.  Fr. Mike Schmitz, whose Bible in a Year podcast has been downloaded more than 350 million times, will be in Phoenix to speak at a fundraiser for the John Paul II Center for Theology of the Body. The Witness to Hope Celebration and Fundraiser is an annual event that supports the work of the Diocese of Phoenix’s center devoted to the late pope’s enduring legacy regarding the human person.

Bishop Dolan encourages stations during Lenten Journey

Be sure to take a look at this video of Bishop John Dolan leading the Stations of the Cross during the first Friday of...

NEWS BRIEF: Record numbers attend liturgies as they prepare to come into the Church

Last weekend, thousands gathered from the Diocese of Phoenix to celebrate the combined Rite of Election and Call to Continued Conversion, the next step toward full initiation into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect. 

NEWS BRIEF: St. Mary’s Basilica hosts special Mass for World Day for Consecrated...

Nearly 100 people from 25 different congregations gathered at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix on Friday night for a special Mass in celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life. This marked the 28th consecutive year the Church has dedicated February 2nd as a day set aside to recognize the men and women who live a life consecrated to God. This includes their public pronouncement of the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity and obedience in their specific religious communities’ charism and mission or through promise to live in service to God through public consecration.

Blessed palms become ashes

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics around the globe will have blessed ashes applied to their foreheads as a sign of repentance. This practice, taken from the ancient Jewish practice of penance and fasting, is one of the most beloved liturgical practices of the year. As ashes are given, the priest or other minister says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Alternatively, the words are, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

NEWS BRIEF: Dr. Maria Chavira receives prestigious Inés Pascual Award

Brophy College Preparatory presented Dr. Maria Chavira, the Chancellor and Vice Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Phoenix, with the prestigious Inés Pascual Award on Saturday at a special breakfast in downtown Phoenix. The award, established in 2017, is named for the Spanish noblewoman who came to the aid of Ignatius of Loyola as he began his physical and spiritual journey that led to the founding of the Society of Jesus — the Jesuits. Sra. Pascual met Ignatius when he was a soldier injured from battle, traveling from Montserrat to Manresa. She provided food, shelter and medical care, and later served as a fundraiser and businesswoman on his behalf.

ASU students share an evening with Bishop Dolan at Newman Night

Bishop John Dolan visited the All Saints Catholic Newman Center on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe on Wednesday evening, celebrating the feast of St....