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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Bishop addresses new blessings document
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following statement, Dec. 19, in response to the Vatican declaration regarding informal blessings for same-sex and unmarried couples. “As many of you know, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) recently issued the declaration 'Fiducia Supplicans' ('Supplicating Trust'), approved by Pope Francis, which discusses the pastoral meaning of blessings by ordained clergy (bishops, priests and deacons). It’s important to remember that such documents are addressed to the worldwide Church, with its differing pastoral concerns ... More
2024 Confirmation Retreat will be Feb. 11
The 2024 Diocese of Little Rock Confirmation Retreat will be held Sunday, Feb. 11 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. This peer-led event is open to Catholic youth who are preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation during the school year and are unable to attend a confirmation retreat in their own parishes. This year's theme is "Victory Through Surrender To The Spirit." Focusing on the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, activities will include praise and worship music, games, skits, videos, testimonials, small group discussion, prayer and Mass. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ... More
Mary, Joseph seek shelter in Las Posadas
Las Posadas, which means "the inns" or "the shelters" in Spanish, is a 400 year old Advent tradition in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico. This novena takes place from Dec. 16-24 and focuses on the struggle of Mary and Joseph to find shelter when they arrive in Bethlehem. Many Catholic parishes and schools in Arkansas host this novena during Advent. Although some have adapted the tradition for their community, generally, this is how it is practiced. Adults and children take part in an evening procession, with two people dressed as Mary and Joseph ... More
Discover mercy at 2024 Weekend for Life
High school youth are invited to attend the 2024 Weekend for Life Jan. 20-21 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. This overnight event focuses on right-to-life issues from a youth perspective. It is held the night before the annual Mass for Life in Little Rock. This year marks the 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision (now overturned) that legalized abortion in the United States in 1973. Participants are invited to celebrate the gift of life and the human dignity of every person and remember the millions of babies lost to abortion. Weekend for Life ... More
Share joy and hope on Gaudete Sunday
"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God; to comfort all who mourn ..." (Isaiah 61:1-2) These words begin the first reading on the third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday. "Gaudete" (pronounced gow-deh-tay) is Latin for "rejoice," which refers to the first word of the entrance antiphon. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! ... More
Count down to Christmas with O Antiphons
An antiphon is verse that is sung or recited to give emphasis to what follows, such as a prayer, psalm, Scripture or canticle. The O Antiphons are an ancient, Advent tradition that refer to the seven antiphons that come before the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary) in the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours from Dec. 17-23. They cover the special time of Advent known as the Octave before Christmas, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. No one knows the exact origin of the O Antiphons, but Roman Catholics have been singing them ... More
Share the light of Christ on St. Lucia Day
We celebrate lots of incredible saints during the season of Advent. One of the lesser-known saints, at least in the United States, is St. Lucy, whose feast is celebrated on Dec. 13. This virgin martyr is believed to have died for her faith in the year 304 in Sicily, during the persecutions of Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 284-305. Not much is known for certain about St. Lucy, but she is among the few female saints listed in the canon of the Mass. Legends about Lucy include a rejected suitor denouncing her as a Christian and miracles that saved her from life in a brothel, ... More
Learn, teach about Our Lady of Guadalupe
Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe began in December 1531 when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared as an Aztec princess to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac, outside a small village near Mexico City. The poor, humble man, who was declared a saint in 2002, told his bishop about the visits from the Virgin of Guadalupe and her desire for a church to be built on the site where she appeared. The bishop asked for a sign to prove that Juan Diego was telling the truth. When Juan Diego asked Mary to provide this proof, she told him to gather the roses growing on the hillside. ... More
