Devotees take part in a pre-dawn Mass, locally called “Misa de Gallo,” before Christmas at a church in Manila, Philippines, Dec. 16. The pre-dawn Mass is one of the most popular traditions among Filipinos during the Christmas season. CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters ...read more

By Joe Paprocki, DMin Corporal Works of Mercy – The Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts by which we help our neighbors with their everyday material and physical needs. Feed the Hungry see to the proper nutrition of your loved ones, support and volunteer for food pantries, soup kitchens, and agencies that feed the ...read more

On April 17, 2016, the fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church will celebrate the 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations. This year’s theme is: “The Church, Mother of Vocations.” Below you will find the full text of the Holy Father’s message: The Church, Mother of Vocations Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is my great ...read more

Address of Pope Paul VI During the last general meeting of the Second Vatican Council 7 December 1965  Today we are concluding the Second Vatican Council. We bring it to a close at the fullness of its efficiency: the presence of so many of you here clearly demonstrates it; the well-ordered pattern of this assembly ...read more

The Mass will be celebrated by His Holiness, Pope Francis, from Vatican City and will air on Salt + Light TV at 11:30am Eastern and repeat later that day at 9:00pm Eastern on Tuesday, December 8th, 2015. You can watch it here: Salt + Light LIVE Stream. From Pope Francis Announcement of the Jubilee: “Jesus’ reminder ...read more

Iraqis re-enact the Nativity at Ainkawa refugee camp near Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2014. Christmas bells did not ring in Mosul and Christian villages last year for the first time in 1,600 years. CNS photo/Sahar Mansour ...read more

In this Advent series, Deacon Pedro learns from Judaism as he prepares for the coming of the Messiah. In the second week, Deacon Pedro and Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich explore the significance of and difference between signs and symbols in Judaism. ...read more

Last week, I explained how asking a simple question like how we should care for the environment led us to ask many more other questions, from looking through the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, to discovering that our desire to learn about created things begins with a sense of wonder. Sr. Damien Marie ...read more

A Christmas tree is illuminated in the Old Town Square on the eve of St. Nicholas Day in Prague Dec. 5, 2012. St. Nicholas Day marks the start of Christmas for the Czech people. CNS photo/David W Cerny, Reuters ...read more

If someone asked you to tell them the Christmas story as it’s told in the Gospels, how would you tell it?  What would you include?  What would you emphasize?  How accurate would your retelling be? The common image of the Christmas story that we have in our minds comes from traditional nativity scenes.  We see ...read more