Pope Francis sends condolences for death of Desmond Tutu
by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Dec 26, 2021 / 06:50 am Pope Francis on Sunday sent his condolences for the death of retired Anglican Archbishop and anti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu. Tutu, who fought for an end to racial segregation in his native South Africa, died Dec. 26 at the age …
Venerable Fulton Sheen on the meaning of Christmas
by Joe Bukuras Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 25, 2021 / 09:00 am Venerable Fulton Sheen once said that in order to understand the meaning of Christmas, two philosophies of life must first be considered. One philosophy, Sheen said in one of his many television monologues, is that of man who …
Future at risk for historic chapel in Antarctica
by Kate Olivera Denver Newsroom, Dec 25, 2021 / 15:00 pm The coronavirus pandemic has suspended efforts to save the Chapel of the Snows at McMurdo Station, the hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program. But one Catholic who regularly serves at the station has said he hopes the chapel has …
December 26 – Saint Stephen
Just after Christmas, the Catholic Church remembers its first martyr, and one of its first deacons, Saint Stephen. Roman Catholics celebrate his feast Dec. 26, while Eastern Catholics honor him one day later. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke praises St. Stephen as “a man full of faith …
A Christmas Message from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “The desire for God is written in the human heart.” During these past weeks of Advent, we have prepared our hearts to welcome Christ. It is Christ alone who satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart, and we celebrate His …
Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021
by Pope Francis Vatican City, Dec 25, 2021 / 04:50 am On Christmas Day 2021, Pope Francis delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” address and blessing from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas message. Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas! …
Full Text: Pope Francis’ Christmas homily
by Pope Francis Vatican City, Dec 24, 2021 / 14:00 pm Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, delivered Dec. 24, 2021 in St. Peter’s Basilica. In the darkness, a light shines. An angel appears, the glory of the …
Advent Reflections 2021
Advent Reflection for November 28- First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Invitation to Prayer: Let us lift up our souls to the Lord, Who will make known to us His ways, and teach us His paths. Reflection: “Are we there yet?” This is …
December 25: The Nativity of The Lord – Christmas
The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131; in Latin Dies Natalis. Early Celebration Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Sts. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts, and Origen, glancing …
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year. What does that mean for Mass obligations?
by CNA Staff Denver Newsroom, Dec 21, 2021 / 12:28 pm As much as some of us would like a few extra days to prepare, Christmas 2021, ready or not, is Saturday, Dec. 25. “How will I possibly finish my shopping and house cleaning by then?” is not the only …
