800 Years of Wonder: the Nativity Scene Exhibition at the Holy Land convent in Washington, D.C.
The Advent season is marked with a special meaning this year at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, in Washington DC. 2023 marks the 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene ever, created by Saint Francis of Assisi in the Italian village of Greccio on Christmas night in 1223.
Pope Francis to speak at Clinton Global Initiative
Pope Francis is set to speak via remote link at the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative in New York, which will be attended by Patrons of the Bambino Gesu Hospital.
Archbishop Xuereb awarded prestigious Korean honor
The former Nuncio to Korea and Mongolia is awarded the Distinguished Diplomatic Service Medal (Gwanghwa Medal) by the Government of the Republic of Korea
Pope to Davos Economic Forum: Development needs a moral compass
In a message to the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, Pope Francis urges business and world leaders to ensure that economic development benefits everyone and remains tied to solidarity.
The Benedictine apothecary of the Pope's collections
The entire set of the ancient pharmacy, now displayed in the Vatican Museums, comes from the monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. In 1936, Pope Pius XI ordered its transfer to the Apostolic Library. Since then, spices, jars, and precious items have been preserved in their entirety. They bear witness to the ancient knowledge of the Benedictine nuns, who served in the care of the sick and the needy.
Nazaret: the candlelit procession and the appointments for prayer from the Basilica of the Annunciation
Every Saturday, at 8.30 p.m., the night in Nazareth is lit up by hundreds of candles, when from the square in front of the upper Basilica a crowd of pilgrims and faithful set off, reciting the mysteries of the rosary, towards the grotto of the Annunciation.
Four New Deacons From The Redemptoris Mater Seminary
On Sunday, December 10th, 2023, Four Seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater seminary of Korazin were ordained deacons by H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, during a celebration concelebrated by Mgr Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, and Mgr Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, vicar emeritus, Fr. Juan Manuel, President of the Seminary, and several other priests.
Papal envoy Cardinal Zuppi meets with representative of Chinese foreign ministry
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi meets with China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs to discuss the war in Ukraine and to underscore the need to work together to encourage dialogue in the search for peace.
Cardinal's Pastoral Visit To The Seminary Of Beit Jala
On Friday, December 8th, 2023, H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Seminary of Beit Jala as part of his yearly pastoral visit, during which he presided over the mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which coincides with the anniversary of the Seminary.
A Christmas Wish For Peace: H.B. Card. Pierbattista Visit To Gaza Has Been Cancelled
Every year, with the approach of the 4th Sunday of Advent, H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by a delegation would usually start to prepare themselves to head from the Latin Patriarchate to Gaza, to spend quality time with the parish of Gaza, visit various Christian institutions, meet with the people of Gaza, and most importantly to hold Christmas Mass for the Christian community there as they are unable to celebrate with their brothers and sisters on the 24th of December in Bethlehem, the Birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
A very significant Consistory for the Order
Among the 20 new cardinals, several are members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
A Jubilee in honour of Blessed Bartolo Longo, member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
On 1 October 2022, the ‘Longhiano Jubilee Way’ will open at the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary in Pompeii, a special year in honour of the 150th anniversary of Bartolo Longo’s arrival in the desolate valley (as he called it).
The online meeting of the European and Latin American Lieutenants 2022
The Lieutenants of Europe and Latin America met by video conference under the chairmanship of the Cardinal Grand Master on 22 and 23 November respectively. The discussion, coordinated by the Governor General, focused on topical issues concerning the life of the Order, provided an update on the realities sustained in the Holy Land through a report by the Administrative Director of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Sami El-Yousef, and a report by the President of the Grand Magisterium Commission for the Holy Land, Prof. Bartholomew McGettrick, and allowed the Lieutenants to update the Grand Magisterium on local activities and raise issues for common reflection.
"Is it fair to say that our Order is a religious Order of lay people?"
A modern ecclesial reality
Ours is not a religious Order, but a "Pontifical Equestrian Order" made up of lay people, in which ecclesiastics, religious men and women have their place. We are an Institution with legal personality which, because of its activity, operates as a 'Central Body of the Catholic Church'. All its members, men and women, are in fact baptised, faithful followers of Christ. The executive officers of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Lieutenant General, Governor General, Vice-Governors, Lieutenants and Magistral Delegates), are all lay, voluntary and unpaid. Among the high officials, two are ecclesiastics: The Grand Master, appointed by the Pope, and the Assessor, appointed with the approval of the Roman Pontiff.
Opinion: For Mideast Christians, this is not 'the most wonderful time of the year'
At Hannukah, Jewish Canadians are celebrating the Jewish victory over the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, which could be seen as the first recorded war for religious and national freedom.
But for Christians in the Middle East, this Christmas season is not “the most wonderful time of the year” that Canadians take for granted.