The Sacred Heart is one of the most famous religious devotions in the Church. The devotion is to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of His divine love for Humanity. It is closely associated with Acts of Reparation to Christ. In the encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor, Pope Pius XI stated: “the spirit of expiation or reparation has always had the first and foremost place in the worship given to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.” The Sacred Heart is often depicted in Christian art as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, surrounded by a crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross and bleeding. Sometimes the image is over Jesus' body with his wounded hands pointing at the heart. The wounds and crown of thorns allude to the manner of Jesus' death, while … [Read more...]

A final Permanent Diaconate Inquiry “Information Night” session will be held for those men interested in exploring a possible vocation to the ministry of service as a deacon and who were unable to attend the previous sessions. The session will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 6:30p.m. – 9:00p.m at Infant Jesus of Prague/Diaconate Center 700 Maple Street, Harvey, LA. This will be the last opportunity for participation before the discernment process begins. … [Read more...]

The CYO/Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Camp Abbey Retreat Center, which was renovated during 2011, hosts a summer camp program in June and July. Summer at Camp Abbey brings together some of the best traditions of the former Benedictine/Knights of Columbus-sponsored summer camp and new enhancements to the activities and Catholic spirituality of the program. Summer at Camp Abbey will offer three one-week camp sessions for boys from June 9-29, 2013, and three one-week camp sessions for girls from July 7-27, 2013. Eligible campers are those young people completing 2nd through 8th grades in May 2013. … [Read more...]

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, an affiliate of Planned Parenthood (PP), the largest abortion business in the nation, plans to open a 7,000 square foot facility on Claiborne Ave in 2014. This multimillion-dollar “New Orleans Health Center” will become a regional abortion center in the heart of New Orleans, leading to an increase in abortions in New Orleans. PP consistently shows a trend of driving women to choose abortion instead of options that are less financially beneficial for PP, such as adoption or prenatal care. PP is the nation's largest abortion business, performing approximately 1/3 of U.S. abortions (PP performed 333,964 abortions in 2011, more than the population of Orleans Parish). PP abortion numbers have continued to increase, as national abortion rates have … [Read more...]

The Catholic Foundation is seeking nominations for the Pope John Paul II Award. The award is presented annually to an outstanding Catholic layperson(s) or permanent deacon who resides in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and who exhibits inspirational examples of Christian stewardship. This year's award will be presented at The Catholic Foundation's Annual Dinner held at the Hilton Riverside on Tuesday, November 19, 2013. Award nominees should be a practicing Roman Catholic with an outstanding record of volunteer service in the Catholic Community, high moral character, volunteer board memberships and exemplary values. A nomination form is available on The Catholic Foundation website (www.archdiocese-no.org/catholicfoundation). Nominations should be no longer than three pages in length. All … [Read more...]

In February 2013 the Obama administration published a new “proposed rule” containing revisions to its earlier mandate requiring most health plans to cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. These revisions did very little to correct the underlying problem with the mandate. A large number of religious organizations, including schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and charitable organizations will be forced to provide objectionable coverage. Businesses and individuals of faith will lose the right to provide health care coverage that respects their deeply held religious and moral convictions. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has expressed serious concerns about the new proposed rule and its violation of religious freedom. Public comments on … [Read more...]

To Open at NOMA March 8 The Archdiocese invites everyone to visit the exhibit, Portrait of Faith: John Paul II in Life and Art, which opens Friday, March 8 and runs through Sunday, June 16, 2013 at the New Orleans Museum of Art. We're excited to have this opportunity to remind people of the deep faith of Blessed John Paul II. We encourage everyone to make plans to visit and reach out to people of all faiths to visit. For more information, visit www.JPIIinNOLA.com or call 866-608-4799. … [Read more...]