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Let’s Destroy “walls of separation”, Burkinabe Catholic Archbishop at Christmas, Urges “building bridges of communion”

Dec 26, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

The people of God in Burkina Faso need to embrace a lifestyle that fosters peaceful coexistence, abandoning behaviors, which contribute to prolonging violent conflicts in the West African nation that grapples with the challenge of “insecurity and other crimes”, Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou has said.

May Christmas 2024 Help Realize “hope that is active, transformative”: Catholic Bishops in Cameroon’s Troubled Region

Dec 26, 2024

By ACI Africa Staff

Two Catholic Bishops ministering in the midst of the protracted Anglophone crisis in the Central African nation of Cameroon are praying that Christmas 2024 that started off with the official launch of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year may usher in “active (and) transformative” hope in their region and country.

The Holy Door of the Jubilee “represents Jesus, the door of salvation open to all,” Pope Francis noted. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pilgrims From All Over the World Pass Through Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica: PHOTOS

Dec 26, 2024

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Pilgrims from around the world are passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis opened to begin the 2025 Jubilee.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024, officially launching the Jubilee Year 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

U.S.-based Jubilee Network Partners with Caritas International in Debt Relief Campaign for Needy, Including in Africa

Dec 26, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Representatives from Caritas Internationalis and Jubilee USA Network announced the five-year campaign, “Turn Debt into Hope,” on Dec. 23.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer and delivers an address from a window in the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 26, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

On Feast of St. Stephen, Pope Francis Prays for Persecuted Christians

Dec 26, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his Angelus address on Dec. 26, Pope Francis reflected on Stephen’s last words as he was being stoned to death: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Three Kings. / Credit: NataBystrova/Shutterstock

When Does Christmas Actually End? Here Are the Different Views

Dec 26, 2024

By Christine Rousselle

Just how many days is Christmas? When should you take the tree down and remove the decorations?

Today, December 26, We Celebrate St. Stephen

Dec 26, 2024

Just after Christmas, the Catholic Church remembers its first martyr, and one of its first deacons, Saint Stephen. Roman Catholics celebrate his feast Dec. 26, while Eastern Catholics honor him one day later.

Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina in Nigeria. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Katsina

We’re “finding creative methods to reach people”: Pioneer Bishop of One-Year-Old Nigerian Catholic Diocese

Dec 25, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

The Catholic Diocese of Katsina whose erection the Vatican made public on 16 October 2023 is realizing “creative methods” of evangelization, the pioneer Local Ordinary has said in an interview. 

Fatima sewing clothes for a customer in her home, surrounded by her children. Credit: Jesuits Refugee Service (JRS)

Jesuit Entity Giving Livelihood Assistance to Locals Displaced by Terrorists in Nigeria

Dec 25, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

The Jesuits Refugee Service (JRS) is providing education and livelihood assistance to people who have been displaced by Islamists in Nigeria’s embattled Borno State.

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie visits Emelyne, a little girl he has sponsored since 2023, in Rwanda. / Credit: Unbound

"So powerful": Catholic Actor, Jonathan Roumie, on Sponsoring African Children Through Charity

Dec 25, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

In 2023, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partnered with Unbound, a Catholic child-sponsorship charity, to support the organization’s 1 millionth child.

Pope Francis carries the statue of the Child Jesus to place in the Nativity scene inside St. Peter's Basilica at the end of Mass on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024, surrounded by children dressed in traditional clothing from their countries. / Credit: Vatican Media

God is our hope: Pope Francis on Christmas 2024

Dec 25, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 88-year-old Pope Francis presided over Mass during the Night on Christmas Eve after opening the Holy Door to officially start the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi address in St. Peter's Square, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

In "Urbi et Orbi Blessing, Pope Francis Urges World Leaders to Pursue Dialogue, Peace in Jubilee Year

Dec 25, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Delivering his Christmas Day message overlooking crowds of thousands of international pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope insisted that a “just and lasting peace” can only be achieved in our world if people first turn to the “Father of Mercies.

Today, December 25, We Celebrate The Nativity of The Lord - Christmas

Dec 25, 2024

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131; in Latin Dies Natalis.

Fr. Alain Mayama, Superior General of the Spiritans

Superior of 321-year-old Order with Dominant African Membership Cautions against “impoverished” Spirituality

Dec 24, 2024

By ACI Africa Staff

There is a growing “spiritual crisis” among some members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers/CSSp.), the Superior General of the 321-year-old Missionary Congregation with members across all continents, most them natives of Africa, has warned.

Stephen Cardinal Ameyu of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. Credit: Radio Maria South Sudan

“Let's give one another light, life, not darkness”: Cardinal in South Sudan in Christmas Message

Dec 24, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

Stephen Cardinal Ameyu of South Sudan’s Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has called upon the people of God to be promoters of good news that contributes to preservation of life and hope.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM)

Catholic Bishops in Mozambique Appeal for Peace, Justice ahead of Christmas, Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year Celebrations

Dec 24, 2024

By ACI Africa Staff

Mozambique’s Catholic Bishops are appealing for peace, justice, and reconciliation ahead of Christmas festivities that are to begin with the official inauguration of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year on December 24.

Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi. Credit: Ahiara Diocese

On First Episcopal Anniversary, Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Grateful for “fruits of the journey so far”

Dec 24, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

On his first Episcopal anniversary, Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Ahiara has expressed his gratitude to God and those, who have supported his ministry since his Episcopal Consecration on 19 December 2023.

Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024, officially launching the Jubilee Year 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Launches Jubilee 2025 with Opening of Holy Door

Dec 24, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 88-year-old Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Christmas Eve, officially launching the Jubilee Year 2025.

A marble sculpture of St. Cajetan holding the infant Jesus identifies the spot where the saint’s vision occurred in the crypt of the Chapel of the Nativity, the side chapel to the right of the main altar of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

The Little-known Story of a Saint’s Christmas Vision of the Infant Jesus in Rome

Dec 24, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The experience of the newborn Jesus occurred within the storied walls of the Marian basilica’s Chapel of the Nativity, where St. Cajetan of Thiene prayed.

Today, Friday, December 24, We Celebrate Vigil of Christmas

Dec 24, 2024

In the first ages, during the night before every feast, a vigil was kept. In the evening the faithful assembled in the place or church where the feast was to be celebrated and prepared themselves by prayers, readings from Holy Writ (now the Offices of Vespers and Matins), and sometimes also by hearing a sermon.