The Vatican has released Pope Benedict XVI’s schedule for Advent and Christmas. He will preside over nine services between the beginning of Advent and the Epiphany. He will: — Lead an evening prayer service with Rome university students in St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 1. — Pay homage to Mary on the feast of the Immaculate ...read more

The neighbourhood diner was packed after Mass on January 1st. Some patrons came to celebrate the New Year, while others were seeking a greasy antidote to their rough morning. As my friends and I waited for our brunch, I asked them whether they were looking forward to 2012. They all shrugged. One dismissed January 1st ...read more

Disclosing the truth about Santa Claus. This is a difficult one. As the kids gleefully prepare their stockings, when is the right time to break it to them? Or should they just find the presents not-so-discreetly hidden under the bed one day? Are we lying to our children?  Will you stoically hold the line and ...read more

Six o’clock in the morning of a December 16  on a island planted in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, church bells ring.  It is the first day of a Christmas novena on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The novena is called Missas do parto, or Labour Masses. These Masses happen early in the morning ...read more

A reflection on the importance and history of Saint Nicholas, otherwise known as the Spiritual Father of Christmas. St. Nicholas, pray for us. ...read more

In our culture of abundance, more and more people are giving to charities this season. As Salt + Light launches its Advent fundraising campaign, Kris and Cheridan explain why should consider a donation to our media ministry. ...read more

Whether you call your Christmas nativity scene a creche, manger, putz, or szopka, displaying the nativity is a treasured Christian tradition. I recall our little manger; I’d spend hours meticulously trying to figure out how many sheep should stand next the ox and if baby Jesus had enough hay to sleep on. No doubt, you ...read more

On November 27th, the First Sunday of Advent, the new Roman Missal goes into effect. Apart from finding out what parts of the Mass will change, we dig deeper and find out how our liturgical celebration is enriched by the new translation. So we went straight to the source and invited the experts.  We engage ...read more

Today is January 6th, and I am thinking of the three wise men. And the three wise men make me think of distances. I was always intrigued about distances in Israel. When I read that Mary and Joseph walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem, or that Mary rode on a donkey, it’s hard to appreciate how ...read more

Salt + Light Television presents a series of blogs reflecting on Advent and Christmas by Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, Bishop William McGrattan, and Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB.  The series will look at Mary, Joseph, the Word Made Flesh, and the Magi, and will be spread over the next two weeks.  We ...read more