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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.
Good Friday puts us face to face with cross
On Good Friday we relive Jesus' suffering and death so we never forget God's unconditional love and desire for us to be saved. "He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6) We do not celebrate Mass on this day because it is a solemn day of prayer and mourning, which includes fasting and abstinence from meat. The Good Friday service includes ... More
Holy Thursday: Come, stay awake for Jesus
During the Mass of the Lord's Supper, we mark the institution of the Eucharist and priesthood and re-enact the washing of feet. This Holy Thursday evening liturgy brings Lent to a close and begins the celebration of the Easter Triduum. Holy Thursday is traditionally known as Maundy Thursday. The word, “maundy,” comes from the Latin, “mandatum” and means “commandment” or “mandate." During the Last Supper, Jesus commanded the disciples to: "Do this in remembrance of me," (1 Corinthians 11:24) referring to the celebration of the Eucharist and "love ... More
Come, celebrate Easter Triduum with us
The word, "triduum" (TRIH-du-um) comes from the Latin word meaning, "three days." The Easter Triduum celebrates the three days of Christ's passion, death and resurrection, the most sacred time of the liturgical year. It begins at sundown on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point at the Easter Vigil, and concludes with evening prayer at sundown on Easter Sunday. It is also known as the Sacred Triduum or Paschal Triduum. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the Easter Triduum at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The schedule is as follows: Holy Thursday, March 28 ... More
Oils blessed at Chrism Mass sign of unity
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Monday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. Priests serving across Arkansas concelebrate this Mass, during which they renew their commitment to priestly service. All are welcome to attend. Anointing oils to be used for sacraments and dedications are also presented for the bishop's blessing. These include the oil for the sick, used in anointing the sick; the oil for catechumens, used during baptism; and the oil for the sacred chrism, which is the primary anointing oil. ... More
Palm Sunday foreshadows what is to come
"The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding (Jesus) and those following kept crying out and saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.'" (Matthew 21:1-11) This Scripture describes Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event we reenact on Palm Sunday, which is celebrated the Sunday before Easter marking the beginning of Holy Week. The Catholic Church remembers this event during ... More
The palm branch is a symbol of martyrdom
Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week. The procession for this Mass reenacts Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In doing so we wave newly blessed palm branches and sing or cry out in some variation of "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" (See Luke 19: 28-40 and Mark 11:1-10.) Some may wonder, why palms? In Jewish tradition, palms were to celebrate triumph or victory. For Christians, the palm branch became a symbol of martyrdom. Even the words ... More
2024 Ignatian Silent Retreat is April 11-14
Deepen your friendship with the Lord in sacred stillness and quiet through the 2024 Ignatian Silent Directed Retreat April 11-14 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. The retreat fee is $325. This includes accommodations for three nights, all meals and daily, individual spiritual direction. Space is limited. Register as soon as possible to secure participation. Those who register after registration is filled will be put on a waiting list. To register, download and return the registration form with non-refundable deposit of $75 or the total fee to the address provided on the form. ... More
Enter Arkansas Catholic photo contest
Arkansas Catholic is running a contest to choose a photo for the cover of the 2025 Catholic Diocese of Little Rock Directory. Any Arkansas photographer 18 or older, professional or amateur, can enter their photo of a Catholic church or institution in the diocese. March 18 is the deadline to enter the contest. It is free to enter. Complete rules are listed in this contest entry packet (which includes the rules, official entry form and a sample model release form). Jay W. Kutchka, of Fort Smith, won last year's photo contest with his photo depicting the Eucharist in a stained-glass window in ... More
