The Feast of the Nativity, coming as it does in the middle of winter when we tend to wrap ourselves in afghans and sit before a fireplace (real or digital), can be a passive celebration. The Gospel, however, challenges us to be active, to proclaim the mystery of God among us.
The Sunday after Christmas almost always brings with it another sentimental feast, the Feast of the Holy...
The murder of all the boys, two years old or younger, by the order of King Herod is commemorated in the “Coventry Carol.” “Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay.” The carol is named for the city of Coventry because in the 15th century, the trade union of shearers and tailors presented a...
St. John the evangelist, who we celebrate today, had one purpose in writing his Gospel and the other Johanine texts; namely, he wrote so that his contemporaries and those who were to come after him would be able to place their faith in Jesus, the Word Made Flesh. Wherever we look his writings, we see this call to faith.
Today we proclaim first lines of St. John’s first letter....
December 26 is known by several names. It is the feast of St. Stephen, deacon and protomartyr. It is also known as the second day of Christmas. In addition, in times past, this day has been known as Boxing Day. There is a relationship between the feast of St. Stephen and Boxing Day – the virtue of charity.
Boxing Day, still celebrated in some cultures today, was the day on which the...
In Calcutta even the poorest Catholic families will look for their whitest saris and dhotis or their newest pressed shirts to attend Mass at midnight or early Christmas day. They will file up to the child in the crib who is surrounded by mother and father, shepherds, and friendly beasts.
In Harare, Zimbabwe, the “Gloria,” song of angels, will be chanted in rich harmony, matching...