In Poland, paczki are eaten on the Thursday before Lent, but they are a Fat Tuesday tradition in Polish communities across the United States.

But much of the church remains -- its soaring ceilings lined with beautiful frescos, its towering Corinthian columns and even its ornate wooden confessional.

Father O’Connor is the first non-Mexican to lead the order that was founded in 1941 by the Mexican priest, the Rev. Marcial Maciel. Benedict XVI removed Father Marcial from public ministry in 2006, after finding him guilty of sexually abusing minors, and ordered him to spend the rest of his life in prayer and penance.

Pope Francis’ much awaited exhortation on the Pan-Amazonian synod will be released on Feb. 12.

A federal court has ruled that religious colleges cannot be ordered to recognize adjunct faculty unions. John Garvey, the president of the Catholic University of America, explains why.