Catholic News

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CNA Staff, Dec 6, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

American actor Chris Pratt, best known for his roles in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World," is currently filming a documentary on the Vatican Necropolis, which lies underneath Vatican City containing tombs dating from the first to fourth century A.D., at depths varying between 16 and 39 feet below St. Peter's Basilica. 

The film, which is being produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films, will be released in 2026 for the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of the basilica. 

Pratt will guide viewers on a journey to discover the tomb of St. Peter through stories of faith, history, and archaeology.

"It is an extraordinary honor to partner with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project. St. Peter's story is foundational to the Christian faith, and I'm deeply grateful for the trust and access granted to help bring his legacy to the screen," Pratt told Vatican News in an interview. 

While Pratt is not Catholic, he and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, a practicing Catholic, attend Mass regularly and are raising their children Catholic. Pratt speaks openly about his faith and the importance he places on praying daily. He has also partnered with Hallow, a Catholic prayer and meditation app, on multiple occasions and been featured in its Lent, Advent, and daily prayer challenges. 

Through historical evidence and archaeological discoveries, viewers of the new film are invited to discover St. Peter's burial place in the Vatican Necropolis, which was officially announced by Pope Pius XII in 1950. 

In 1939, Pope Pius XII had workers begin excavations under the basilica in order to try to find the location of the beloved apostle's burial place. In 1950, the pope officially announced that the location of the tomb was found, along with bone fragments likely belonging to the saint. In 1968, Pope Pius XII announced that the bone fragments found were indeed those of St. Peter. 

St. Peter's bones were publicly displayed for the first time in 2013 by Pope Francis. The late pontiff held the relics during a Mass at St. Peter's Square, which marked the end of the Church's Year of Faith.

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EWTN News, Dec 6, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Just before the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows, Protectress of Slovakia, was inaugurated in the Vatican Gardens. Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blessed the artwork during a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, whom Pope Leo XIV received in audience the day before.

Among other bishops and diplomats, two cardinals took part: the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Re, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.

The Slovak president said he was happy to see the Slovak Virgin Mary image inside the Vatican as she "is a source of hope, faith and unity." Peter Pellegrini stressed that his Central European country and the Holy See "share common values, such as the dignity of human person, true liberty and open dialog."

During the audience with Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican said, pontiff and president reaffirmed their commitment to supporting social cohesion, promoting justice, and safeguarding the family, and discussed the war in Ukraine, its impact on European security, and the situation in the Middle East.

Each time we pass by this beautiful artwork, Cardinal Gugerotti underlined in his speech at the inauguration, "we will pray for the Slovak people" who suffered during atheist communism, and yet "were able to maintain and renew its Christian roots."

Likewise, Cardinal Giovanni Re told CNA that he is very happy for the new artwork. "I have always loved Slovakia because it is still very Catholic," the prelate said.

It is a great honor for us that the mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows has reached the heart of the Church, Archbishop Bober underscored. The Slovak Virgin Mary is "a symbol of the spiritual connection between Slovakia and the Vatican." It reminds us, the archbishop continued, that "Our Lady of Sorrows has a special place in our nation, but also in the lives of all believers."

The colorful mosaic, created by Greek Catholic priest and artist Father Kamil Dráb, is a copy of an image in the chapel of the Pontifical Slovak College of St. Cyril and Methodius in Rome and has been installed in the Vatican Gardens near the bell used during the Great Jubilee of 2000.

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Vatican City, Dec 6, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).

St. Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on Dec. 6, is known to possibly be the real-life inspiration for the beloved Christmas character of Santa Claus.

Not a lot is known about the historical Nicholas, who was bishop of Myra, a Greek city in modern-day Turkey, during the fourth century A.D. But there are many stories and legends that explain his reputation as a just and upright man, charitable gift-giver, and miracle-worker.

Here are five things to know and share about St. Nicholas:

1. There is a legend behind why St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children.

Many people know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, but they may not know why he has that title.

There is a grisly legend that says that during a famine in Myra, three young boys were lured into a butcher's shop, where they were killed and then brined in a wooden barrel with the intention of being sold as "ham." The good bishop worked a miracle, bringing the pickled children back to life and saving them from a gruesome fate.

This story became the subject of many portrayals of Nicholas in art, especially during the Middle Ages. Some people believe depictions of Bishop Nicholas with the three boys led to his reputation as a protector of children.

The legend of the brining may explain how he also became, oddly, the patron saint of brewers and coopers (people who make wooden casks, barrels, vats, troughs, and similar containers from timber).

2. He is one of the foremost saints in the Russian Orthodox Church.

St. Nicholas is a unifying figure among Catholics and Orthodox Christians since both churches venerate him.

He is incredibly important in the Russian Orthodox Church, where he is known as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for the many miracles attributed to him both during and after his life.

To the Orthodox, Nicholas is principally honored for his qualities as a holy bishop and a good shepherd of his people.

Also, in their weekly liturgical cycle, which dedicates different days of the week to Jesus Christ and other saints, only three are specifically named: Mary, the Mother of God; John the Forerunner (known to Catholics as St. John the Baptist); and St. Nicholas.

Nicholas did not leave behind any theological writings, but when he was made a bishop, he is credited with saying that "this dignity and this office demand different usage, in order that one should live no longer for oneself but for others."

3. Was he really jolly ol' St. Nicholas?

Because of his popularity among Orthodox Christians, St. Nicholas is a favorite subject in iconography.

But don't be surprised if, among the hundreds of icons depicting him, you don't see any merry dimples or a "round little belly." He does have a white beard, though.

4. He is the patron saint of unmarried people, fishermen, pawnbrokers, and the falsely accused.

One of the most popular legends about Nicholas is that the saint, who is said to have come from a wealthy family, secretly helped a poor man with three daughters.

The father could not provide proper dowries for the girls to marry, and without husbands to support them, they might have been forced to turn to prostitution.

After learning about the situation, Nicholas secretly slipped a bag of gold coins through the family's window while they were sleeping. He later left a second bag of coins, and likewise, another bag for the third daughter, at which point, the legend says, the father, who had waited up all night, "caught" Nicholas red-handed in his gift-giving. But Nicholas made him promise to keep the secret.

The story is likely the explanation for why the modern Christmas character of Santa Claus brings his gifts for children under the cover of night.

In artworks referencing this legend, the three bags of coins are often depicted as three golden balls. Images of gold balls were also used to mark the shops of pawnbrokers, which is probably how Nicholas came to be their patron saint, too.

One of many miracles attributed to St. Nicholas happened at sea as he traveled aboard a boat to the Holy Land. Nicholas is a patron saint of sailors and travelers because he calmed the stormy waters that threatened their lives.

His patronage of the falsely accused can be attributed to an early story about his rescue of three innocent men moments before their execution. It is said that St. Nicholas, then bishop of Myra, boldly pushed away the executioner's sword, released the men from their chains, and angrily reprimanded a juror who had taken a bribe to find them guilty.

5. He has two feast days.

Most people know that Nicholas' feast day is celebrated on Dec. 6, the day he died in the year 343, but for East Slavs, as well as the people of Bari, Italy, May 9 is also an important day to celebrate the saint.

That date is the anniversary of the day that St. Nicholas' relics were moved from Myra, in present-day Turkey, to Bari, not long after the Great Schism of Catholics and Orthodox in 1054 A.D.

Accounts differ over whether the transmission of the relics was theft or an attempt by Christian sailors to preserve the saint's remains from destruction by the Turks. But whatever the real reason, the relics can still be venerated today in the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari.

Pope Francis visited Bari, in Italy's southern region of Puglia, two times during his papacy. During both the 2018 and 2020 visits, he stopped in the basilica's crypt to venerate St. Nicholas' relics.

The pontifical basilica is an important place of ecumenism, since the Catholic Church welcomes many Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Christians to the pilgrimage site. In the crypt, where St. Nicholas is buried, there is also an altar for the celebration of Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgies.

For Christians who follow the Julian calendar, as the Eastern Orthodox do, St. Nicholas' principal feast day falls on Dec. 19. An Orthodox Divine Liturgy is usually celebrated at the Basilica of St. Nicholas that morning.

On Dec. 6, Catholics in Bari celebrate the beloved saint with Mass, concerts, and a procession of the saint's statue through the city's streets.

This story was first published on Dec. 6, 2022, and has been updated.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 6, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Many monasteries and communities of religious brothers and sisters depend on proceeds from the sales of their products to sustain their lives of prayer and service throughout the year. These days, most have online gift shops that will ship your purchases to arrive before Christmas.

Here's a guide to some of our favorite handmade gifts to give and receive this year:

Fudge and candy

Monk Bakery Gifts, Monastery of the Holy Spirit: Monks in Conyers, Georgia, make their famous fudge with premium chocolate and real butter. Try a 12-ounce gift box for $15. And for a taste of Georgia, try their Southern Touch fudge, "made with real peach morsels, pecans, and a touch of peach brandy."

Monastery Candy, Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey: These contemplative nuns in Dubuque, Iowa, are known for their delicious caramels, which they make by hand to support their way of life. A 9-ounce box of chocolate-covered caramels sells for $16.55.

Monastery Creamed Honey, Holy Cross Abbey: The monks at Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia, support themselves financially through their own labor, a characteristic of the Cistercian order's way of life. Their 100% natural Monastery Creamed Honey, locally sourced in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, makes a great gift. A set of four 10-ounce tubs includes natural-, cinnamon-, almond-, and brandy-flavored honey and sells for $35.95. Add some delicious chocolate truffles to the order for a sure-to-be-appreciated Christmas gift.

Cookies

Clarisa Cookies, Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters: The Capuchin Poor Clare nuns make their famous butter cookies from their monastery in Denver. The "Clarisas" come in a beautiful gift box featuring an image of St. Clare and sell for $18 for a 1.5-pound box.

Monks' Biscotti, Abbey of the Genesee: The Trappist monks of the Abbey of the Genesee have been baking from their monastery in western New York since 1953. As their website explains: "The bakery supports the monastery's primary mission, which is to pray for the world." The twice-baked biscotti is a popular item, which makes a great gift basket when combined with monk-made coffee and a mug. A bundle of four boxes of biscotti in a variety of flavors sells for $33.99. 

Springerele Christmas cookies, Sisters of St. Benedict: The Benedictine religious sisters are known for their Springerele cookies, a traditional German treat with an "Old World" charm. A package of six cookies, each bearing a different, intricate design, sells for $11. 

Coffee

Mystic Monk Coffee, Carmelites Monks of Wyoming Monastery: The Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel live a cloistered life in the Rocky Mountains in the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They help support themselves through Mystic Monk Coffee, which they roast in small batches. The website CoffeeReview.com ranks their coffee among the highest of the coffees it reviews. A 12-ounce bag of their most popular flavor, Jingle Bell Java, sells for $14.95 in the EWTN Religious Catalogue. Visit their website for more coffee selections.

Fruitcake

Brandy-dipped fruitcake, New Camaldoli Hermitage: With all due respect, this is not your grandmother's fruitcake. The monks of New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California, offer a fruitcake soaked in brandy and aged for three months. It "has converted many a fruitcake 'atheist,'" according to its creators. Order a 1-pound fruitcake for $27.98.

Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcake, Monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani: At their monastery in New Haven, Kentucky, Trappist monks offer a 20-ounce Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcake along with a jar of Trappist Apricot-Pineapple preserves and a jar of Trappist Quince Jelly, which makes a lovely Christmas gift for $33.50.

Beer

Birra Nursia, Benedictine Monks of Norcia: In 2012, a community of Benedictine monks revived the order's ancient beer-making tradition at their 16th-century monastery in Nursia, the birthplace of St. Benedict. Tragically, four years later, a devastating earthquake struck, seriously damaging their monastery and threatening their way of life. Today, their monastery is open again thanks to money raised in part from the beer they make and sell and export to the United States and elsewhere. Beer in 750-milliliter (25-ounce) bottles is available at their U.S. online store for $15.99 each.

Handmade Christmas-themed gifts

Christmas Boutique, Monastery of Bethlehem: The contemplative Sisters of the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, New York, support themselves by offering their hand-painted chinaware and other unique gifts for sale. This Christmas their online shop features several Christmas-related items that would make wonderful gifts. 

A beautiful hand-carved Nativity, made in the sisters' monastery in Mougères, France, includes Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and a wooden manger, and sells for $180. This is a great value for a keepsake that is sure to be passed down from generation to generation. Or why not come bearing the gift of myrrh this Christmas with an attractive tin of imported incense ($56)? Also available: a pack of five Christmas greeting cards, hand-calligraphed by the sisters and duplicated on fine paper. Each card features a mystery of the lives of Jesus and Mary.

Custom rosaries, Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts: The cloistered nuns of the Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts in Colorado also offer several handmade items that would make beautiful gifts including custom, handmade rosaries. Those interested can choose their own beads, crucifix, centerpiece, the option to add decorative caps and side medals, and whether you would like the rosary to be a one-decade, five-decade, or 15-decade rosary.

Gifts from the Holy Land

Holy Land gifts, Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America: The Franciscan friars based at their monastery in Washington, D.C., are dedicated to supporting and protecting the sacred sites and people of the Holy Land. They sell products made by artisans in the Holy Land to help their businesses so they can continue to live in the land of their forefathers. Among the gifts at the Holy Land gift shop are hand-painted ceramic candleholders made by a young artist in Bethlehem; olive wood Nativity sets, crosses, and rosaries; and olive oil soap. Visit the Holy Land Gift Shop here. 

Soaps and candles

Cloister Shoppe, Summit Dominicans: The nuns from the Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, New Jersey, live a life of prayer through Eucharistic adoration and dedication to the rosary. To support this way of life they create handmade candles and skin-care products, which they sell at their Cloister Shoppe. Create your own Christmas gift bag of two bars of soap, a hand cream, a jar candle, a face moisturizer, and a handmade rosary made from olive wood beads from the Holy Land for $50. Throw in a pair of Bayberry Christmas Eve Tapers for $18 to give your holiday table a festive glow.

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ACI Stampa, Dec 6, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The people of Bari, a city in southern Italy, have a deep devotion to St. Nicholas, their patron saint and beloved protector.

"How can you not love St. Nicholas? And how can you not feel loved by St. Nicholas?" Father Giovanni Distante, the rector of Bari's Pontifical Basilica of St. Nicholas, told ACI Stampa, CNA's Italian-language news partner.

"The relationship between the people of Bari and St. Nicholas is one of love," the rector continued, "a relationship that began in 1087 and continues to this day."

It all began in 1087 when 62 brave sailors managed to rescue the relics of St. Nicholas, bringing them from the city of Myra in Asia, St. Nicholas' hometown, to their beloved city in southern Italy, Bari, in Puglia. The Basilica of St. Nicholas was built to hold the relics, which it still does today. Every year, countless pilgrims continue to pay homage at the tomb of St. Nicholas, the saint of Christmas, who is loved by adults and children alike.

St. Nicholas is also an important figure in ecumenical dialogue, uniting Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants.

"St. Nicholas, as bishop of Myra, naturally influenced millions of faithful in the East and West, not only as bishop of Myra but also as patron, if we may say so, of Eastern and Western Christianity.  So much so that St. Nicholas is venerated as the 'Saint of Ecumenism,' because he manages to unite the two realities, the two Christian traditions, both Eastern and Western," Distante said.

St. Nicholas occupies a special place in everyone's hearts in December. Considered the saint of Christmas and remembered for his care for children, he was much loved for the protection he offered them. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession, particularly for the benefit of young women and children.

"St. Nicholas intervenes where concrete action is needed in love, practicality, justice, and, of course, sharing," Distante explained.

St. Nicholas is celebrated twice a year in Bari: on Dec. 6 and on May 9.

"Dec. 6 is the liturgical feast of the saint, commemorating the day of his death, which becomes the new birth of St. Nicholas in heaven," the rector of the Basilica of St. Nicholas explained. 

On May 9, he continued, "we celebrate the event of the transfer of St. Nicholas' relics to Bari with a large procession by sea."

On Dec. 6, Bari is filled with "illuminations," a choreographed display of lights in the narrow streets of the city that are lit up for the feast of St. Nicholas and also for Christmas. This year's program is once again full of events and celebrations.

The Pontifical Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari opened at 4 a.m. on Dec. 6. At 5 a.m., the first Mass was celebrated, presided over by Distante, and followed by five more Masses throughout the morning.

The start of the first Mass was preceded, at 4:30 a.m., by the sounding of reveille and the arrival of the St. Nicholas torchlight procession. In the early hours of the day, a group of bagpipers will enliven the alleys of the old town around the basilica. At 6 p.m., there will be a solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi of Cagliari and Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano of Bari-Bitonto. At the end of Mass, the procession with a statue of the saint will pass through the streets of the old town. In the evening, at 8:30 p.m., there will be a fireworks display from the Sant'Antonio pier.

One of the essential customs of the feast of St. Nicholas for the people of Bari is hot chocolate, enjoyed in the alleys of old Bari to warm up after Mass in the basilica.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, CNA's Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 5, 2025 / 16:08 pm (CNA).

Children across the U.S. received awards for their artwork portraying the Nativity of Jesus in Washington, D.C.

"Through their creativity, they have beautifully expressed the story of Christ's humble beginning and what it means to be young missionary disciples," said Alixandra Holden, director of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), one of four Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S., at a Dec. 5 awards ceremony.

MCA's mission is "to help children grow in faith by teaching them to pray and sacrifice for other children around the world." Since 1933, the organization has encouraged children to evangelize by depicting the Nativity of Jesus.

The organization started the MCA National Christmas Artwork Contest, inviting participation of young Catholic artists. The hope is to help young people meditate on the mystery of Christ's birth and share their gifts with the world during Advent, according to MCA.

A piece of art can "speak a thousand words," Holden said. "Each one of them is a testament to our faith, whether it's created by pencil, marker, or paint. Every stroke is a proclamation of the good news in their art classrooms, in their schools, and in their parishes. And wherever their lives take them, their God-given talents can continue to share Christ's love with the world."

The winners "were chosen from thousands and thousands of entries submitted from all across the country," Holden said at the awards ceremony at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Participants from dioceses spanning over a dozen states won national awards. Of the 24 winners, 14 children attended the awards ceremony. 

This year's two grand-prize winners were Janielle Perez, a student at Resurrection Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Diana Uytingco, a student at St. Andrew Catholic School in the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas.

Their artwork will appear on the official Christmas cards of the Pontifical Mission Societies, sent to thousands of recipients, including Pope Leo XIV. The card to the Holy Father will include a handwritten message on behalf of all the children who participated in the contest.

The artwork also will remain on display at the National Shrine until Jan. 11. 

Importance of family 

The art is a "celebration of the children," said Monsignor Vito Buonanno, associate rector of the National Shrine, at the event. He detailed "the great gifts that God has given us through them." 

"What is wonderful about this Pontifical Society is that it acknowledges the gifts of the children," Buonanno said. "We think, 'What can children do to help the missions?' They can do an awful lot. This is just one of the things that they can do. But it is the experience of what family is."

When meditating on the Nativity during the Advent and Christmas seasons, "remember how important family is," Buonanno said. "The sacrifices that we make for family … are worth it because that is what keeps going, it's our identity. It's this identity that we discover and that we have. So we celebrate that."

"Most especially, we celebrate it at the most important thing we do as Catholic people, as Christians. We celebrate it in the Mass. That's where we are truly experiencing what it means to be one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church."

"It's God who puts it all together to make us know that we can persevere and experience the love of what it means that a God Almighty became one of us," Buonanno said. "God, he became one of us. Why? To show us the way to the Father."

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CNA Staff, Dec 5, 2025 / 12:07 pm (CNA).

A Catholic Virginia student will receive payments including attorney's fees after a school district conceded a lawsuit she brought over the district's transgender policies.

The student, identified in the October lawsuit as "Jane Doe," said the Fairfax County School Board violated her constitutional rights when it subjected her to "extreme social pressure" to affirm transgender pronoun conventions.

Doe, identified as a "practicing Roman Catholic who strives daily to live in accordance with her faith," felt compelled to engage in self-censorship in which she attempted to "avoid using pronouns altogether" in many circumstances due to fear of punishment from school officials, according to the suit.

When she expressed concerns over sharing a bathroom with a male student, meanwhile, she was told she could "use a private restroom if she felt uncomfortable," according to the suit.

On Dec. 2 the law group America First Legal called the case a "major victory," saying the Fairfax school district conceded the lawsuit, offering "nominal damages" and paying costs including attorney's fees.

"This outcome sends a clear message: School systems and officials cannot disregard the safety, privacy, and dignity of students in favor of radical gender policies," the group said.

"No student should face the threat of punishment or be pushed aside for asserting their fundamental constitutional rights," attorney Ian Prior said in the release.

The settlement comes amid broader efforts to roll back extreme transgender ideology and LGBT policies at schools around the country, including rules that allow boys to access girls' restrooms and other private spaces.

A California federal judge in October allowed for a class action lawsuit against California school districts that allow teachers to hide child "gender transitions" from parents.

In August, meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told states that they would be required to remove gender ideology materials from K–12 education curricula or face the loss of federal funding.

In October 2024, a school board in Virginia agreed to pay a teacher more than half a million dollars after he was fired for refusing to use a student's transgender pronouns. In December of that year an Ohio school board paid a teacher a $450,000 settlement over a similar dispute.

A study from the Centre for Heterodox Social Science in October found a recent decline in the number of young Americans who identify as transgender or "nonheterosexual," though a report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law in September found that nearly 3 million Americans identify as transgender.

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Puebla, Mexico, Dec 5, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Mexico will host a special program to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe on the night of Dec. 11, the eve of the solemnity of the Virgin of Tepeyac.  

Under the title "Guadalupe Night," a program is planned that will begin at 6 p.m. local time with a procession that will depart from the Church of Santa Inés (St. Agnes) carrying the "Virgin of the Oath" (of loyalty) which, as explained on the cathedral's social media, is "the historical image before which the Virgin of Guadalupe was proclaimed patroness of New Spain."

Midway between Santa Inés Church and the metropolitan cathedral stands what was once the archbishop's palace, built by the first bishop of Mexico, Friar Juan de Zumárraga. It was precisely to this place that St. Juan Diego, the visionary who saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, came to present his request that a "sacred little house" be built at the foot of Tepeyac Hill.

As proof of the veracity of the apparitions, St. Juan Diego carried his cloak filled with roses to the bishop's residence and when he showed its contents to Zumárraga, the image of the Blessed Virgin was miraculously imprinted on it, an image that is preserved to this day in the Guadalupe Basilica.

Along the route to the metropolitan cathedral's entrance, four stations are planned, commemorating the four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which occurred Dec. 9–12, 1531.

Inside the church, the rosary will be recited at 8 p.m., and an hour later, the "Mañanitas" — a traditional Mexican song sung to celebrate birthdays — will be sung to Our Lady of Guadalupe, accompanied by mariachi music.

At 10 p.m. Mass will be celebrated, and at 11 p.m. the program concludes with a "ringing of bells in celebration of the solemnity of the Virgin of Guadalupe."

The Virgin of Guadalupe 'continues to walk with us'

In an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, Father José A. Carballo, rector of the metropolitan cathedral and dean of the metropolitan chapter, emphasized that celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe "is to recognize that she continues to walk with us, interceding for our families, our needs, and our nation."

"Her image, miraculously imprinted on the tilma of St. Juan Diego, is a source of comfort for those seeking refuge, strength for those who bear suffering, and guidance for those who wish to follow Christ."

This celebration, he added, "is, on its deepest level, an act of filial love toward the Virgin of Guadalupe, who chose to remain forever in the midst of her people."

The 'Virgin of the Oath'

The rector of the metropolitan cathedral and dean of the metropolitan chapter emphasized the importance of the presence of the "Virgin of the Oath" at this tribute, since "it recalls the profound historical and spiritual bond that this devotion has had with the life of the Church in Mexico."

"This image was specifically chosen for its significance as a symbol of the renewal of faith and Christian commitment," he said, because "it represents the solemn act by which past generations expressed their fidelity to God and to the maternal protection of Holy Mary."

Carballo also highlighted the coordination between the Mexico City cathedral and the Basilica of Guadalupe, which will also draw large crowds for the solemnity of the Virgin of Tepeyac.

"We walk in synodality, always seeking the good of the people of God," he said, emphasizing that "dialogue has allowed us to harmonize schedules and activities, so that the celebrations on Dec. 11 and 12 complement each other and do not conflict."

"Both the basilica and the cathedral offer distinct, yet converging, spaces to experience the Guadalupan event in a spirit of communion, collaboration, and service to the faithful," he stated.

Father Eduardo Chávez, master theologian on the apparitions of the Guadalupe Basilica and postulator of the cause for the canonization of St. Juan Diego, emphasized in a statement to ACI Prensa the "significance" of both the celebration in the metropolitan cathedral and the event itself of the imprinting of the image of the Virgin in the house of Bishop Fray Juan de Zumárraga.

"That is where the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was formed" on Dec. 12, 1531, he emphasized, and explained that "it is very significant because certainly from the beginning the Virgin of Guadalupe builds the Church, forms the Church, is Mother of the Church."

Chávez, director of the Superior Institute of Guadalupan Studies, noted that it was Zumárraga himself who, before the apparitions, "in a moment of so much anguish, so many problems, injustices, so much innocent blood shed" by the First Royal High Court of the Spanish Crown in Mexico, "cried out to heaven in that letter he wrote to the king in 1529" in which he says, "If God does not provide a remedy with his own hand, the land is on the verge of being completely lost."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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ACI Africa, Dec 5, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The president of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has announced the construction of a national shrine dedicated to Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta, a Congolese sister beatified in August 1985.

Announcing the launch of construction on Dec. 1, Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu described Blessed Anuarite as a timeless model of hope for a nation scarred by violence and social injustice.

"I am pleased to address this message to you on the feast of Blessed Anuarite, during which the construction works for the great shrine dedicated to her are being launched," Muteba said of the construction, which will take place in the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara.

He said the initiative is a "significant moment" for the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as it nears the end of the Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee Year, themed "Pilgrims of Hope."

The bishop of the Archdiocese of Lubumbashi emphasized that the shrine will serve both as a dignified resting place honoring the martyr's legacy and as a spiritual wellspring for pilgrims who seek her intercession. 

He thanked all individuals who contributed to the construction project.

Muteba described Blessed Anuarite as a symbol of moral courage and unwavering faith and hope whose life was "offered to the Lord."

"We bless the Lord God for the gift he has given our country in the person of Blessed Anuarite, a courageous witness of faith whose life offered to the Lord — even unto the supreme sacrifice — echoes the words of St. Paul the Apostle: Hope does not disappoint," the archbishop said.

He added: "Indeed, Blessed Anuarite has been, and will always remain, a bearer of hope in this country where human dignity is violated at various levels and in many forms. She is truly the sign of the grain of wheat that falls to the earth and bears much fruit." 

The CENCO president noted that Blessed Anuarite is a "bearer of hope" for the entire Congolese people. 

He said the martyr is especially a bearer of hope for the women and children who are victims of violence and for the Congolese people who suffer in regions devastated by war and recurrent insecurity. 

"Her blood is a seed of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo," the Congolese Church leader said.

Muteba expressed special gratitude to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa for her personal support and for authorizing the allocation of remaining government funds — initially earmarked for the 2024 60th anniversary pilgrimage — to be redirected toward the shrine's construction.

While acknowledging the progress made, he noted that "much remains to be done" and appealed for continued support, calling every contribution "a precious and pleasing offering in the eyes of the Lord."

"May they help us keep hope alive in all circumstances of our lives and obtain for our nation peace and unity," Muteba implored.

Born on Dec. 29, 1939, the fourth child among six sisters, Anuarite Nengapeta ran away from home, against her mother's approval, to join the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Kisiangani at the age of 20. Upon her profession, she assumed the name Marie-Clementine.

Anuarite became a victim of the 1964 Mulele rebellion across DRC, when Simba rebels, opposed to the westerners in the country and suspicious of the local religious men and women for cooperating with foreigners, kidnapped her alongside 45 other nuns and led them to a rebel camp. Attempts by the rebels' leader, Col. Pierre Olombe, to rape Anuarite were resisted with success.

Determined to have her by any means, Olombe forced Anuarite and her colleague, Sister Bokuma Jean-Baptiste, into a car before going back to the house for the keys. The two tried to escape but were intercepted and beaten. Sister Bokuma, who suffered multiple fractures, fainted. The rebel leader ordered fellow rebels to stab Anuarite before he shot her in the chest. "I forgive you, for you know not what you are doing," Anuarite told her attackers. She died on Dec. 1, 1964.

Anuarite's attackers buried her in a common grave. Eight months later, her remains were exhumed and reburied. Her remains were exhumed again in December 1978 and moved to Isiro Cathedral in northeastern DRC.

Pope John Paul II beatified Anuarite on Aug. 15, 1985, during his visit to the country, an event that was attended by an estimated 60,000 people. Among them were Anuarite's parents, Olombe — who had become a devout Catholic and sought audience with the pope to express his remorse — among other significant personalities including the then-country's president Mobutu Sese Seko.

Blessed Anuarite was the first Bantu woman to receive such a rank in the Catholic Church. She is the patron of the African Jesuit AIDS Network.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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St. Louis, Missouri, Dec 4, 2025 / 18:06 pm (CNA).

Andre Mahanna, a former Maronite Catholic priest who gained a national profile as a commentator, fundraiser, and advocate for persecuted Christians is continuing to present himself as a priest despite having been dismissed from the clerical state for financial impropriety, the Archdiocese of Denver announced Thursday.  

In a statement, the archdiocese said Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles had dismissed Mahanna from the clerical state due to financial impropriety and that Mahanna is not permitted to act or present himself validly as a Catholic priest.

Mahanna has no priestly faculties, the statement continues, and is not authorized to "celebrate sacraments, preach, bless, or represent himself as a cleric in any setting."  

Catholics and members of the public should not engage in any invalid sacraments he is attempting nor give him money or support fundraising efforts connected to him, the archdiocese warned.  

"The archdiocese asks Catholics to take this warning seriously and avoid any involvement that could imply Church approval, including donations, sponsorships, event invitations, or promotion of his activities," the statement reads, noting that Zaidan has sent an alert to all U.S. bishops warning them that Mahanna is still presenting himself as a priest.

Mahanna served for a time at St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church in Lakewood, Colorado, in the Denver metro. The charitable organization he founded, Saint Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy, is registered in Lakewood. The mission reported $138,045 in revenue against $67,422 in expenses in 2024, according to its tax forms.

Although Mahanna's mission is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it is not recognized as a Catholic organization and is not authorized to solicit funds or participate in ministry within the Archdiocese of Denver, the statement continues.

"Neither Mr. Mahanna nor this nonprofit may take part in parish life, ministry, or fundraising in any Catholic setting within the archdiocese," it says.

Archbishop Samuel Aquila was not immediately available for further comment. The Maronite Eparchy was also queried for further comment — seeking information on the nature of his financial impropriety and the date when Mahanna was informed of his laicization — but did not hear back by publication.  

Mahanna grew up in Lebanon during the country's civil war and is now an American citizen, according to the bio on his website. He was a guest of President Donald Trump for the signing of an executive order on religious freedom at the White House on the National Day of Prayer in 2017 and "has been invited back to this event as one of 40 select religious leaders every year since then," the bio says.  

His bio describes him as a popular speaker and says he has authored many articles focused on the unity of Christians, religious freedom, and the biblical foundation of Judeo-Christian values and traditions. 

During 2017 and 2018, Mahanna appeared several times as a guest on EWTN television programs such as "EWTN News Nightly" and "The World Over with Raymond Arroyo," mainly as an expert voice discussing the plight of Christians in the Middle East. (Note: EWTN is the parent company of CNA).

Numerous videos posted by Mission of Hope and Mercy in recent days show Mahanna wearing his priestly collar and introducing himself as "Father."  

In a Nov. 28 video, Mahanna, seeking donations, described how his mission provides aid to Christian families and victims of persecution in Lebanon, delivering food boxes, mattresses, water, and Christmas presents to villages affected by conflict.

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