While many fifth graders typically request toys and games for Christmas, Dominic Auricchio surprised his family this past Christmas by asking for a military Bible and a rosary blessed by Pope Francis.
He received seven religious gifts in all and since then has
A reader writes: “There seems to be two ends to the season of Christmas: the feast of Baptism of the Lord, and the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, known as Candlemas. Why do some consider the later feast to be
A newer tradition that traces back to just 2009 is flooding cities of Poland with Three Kings Parades. On the feast of Epiphany, January 6, the parades’ purpose is to familiarize their audiences with the Gospel tradition. These theatrical performances recall the
Maria-Pia Negro Chin shares the traditions and customs of Latinos in America as they celebrate and continue the Christmas season by celebrating Epifanía, or Epiphany. In many parishes, there are reenactments of the "Wise Men from the East" prostrating themselves before the
This week, Catherine Cavadini prepares us for the Epiphany of the Lord. As she reflects on epiphanies of faith, she notes that the baby announced by the ‘trumpet’ star truly is our Creator, and he is known now in the beating of
Amid ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military -- despite the Christmas season -- Christian clergymen in the Middle East are decrying attacks on their community's dwindling numbers.
"It was sad, but hopeful to see Christians celebrating Christmas inside the
This Christmas season, let our New Year’s resolution be to celebrate Christmas a wee bit longer than 24 hours. Have some favorite foods at meal times. Keep the tree up and continue to admire the lights and ornaments. Take a drive around
The living Nativity at a Maryland church marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's first Nativity scene, and offers a reminder that "the Lord still comes."
Visiting for Christmas, the papal envoy, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, prefect of Vatican Dicastery for the Service of Charity, assisted the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in the wartime celebration amid the "helplessness" of not being able to ease suffering Palestinians in the Gaza
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating the birth of Jesus, the prince of peace, should mean making a commitment to opposing all war, to cherishing human life, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those who have no voice, Pope Francis said. "To