Archive for December 24, 2023

A variety of fish dishes served on Christmas Eve.?w=200&h=150

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Where does the ‘Feast of the 7 Fishes’ Christmas Eve tradition come from?

The feast stems from the southern part of Italy and spans generations. Read more

A scene from the "Silent Night" Christmas video from the Diocese of Lansing.?w=200&h=150

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Christmas video by Lansing Diocese highlights Eucharistic adoration, story of ‘Silent Night’

The creator and producer of the video, Matt Riedl, hopes “to convey truth, beauty, and goodness” in this year’s Christmas... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address on Dec. 24, 2023.?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis: Do not confuse Christmas with consumerism

The pope asked people to think of which lonely or needy people could be comforted by their friendship during the... Read more

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 2023.?w=200&h=150

By Marinella Bandini

Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem

At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas. Read more

Pope Francis takes a figure of the Christ child in his arms at the end of the Vatican's Mass for the Nativity of the Lord on Dec. 24, 2023.?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis’ Christmas Mass: Jesus was born to save the world

Pope Francis shared a message in his Christmas homily for anyone who may be feeling sad or discouraged. Read more

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the night of Dec. 24, 2023.?w=200&h=150

By Pope Francis

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily for Christmas 2023

“A census of the whole earth” (cf. Lk 2:1). This was the context in which Jesus was born, and the... Read more