NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope took a look at the Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud, the most massive, and active star-forming region in our galaxy, located only a few hundred light years from our central supermassive black hole.
Read MoreLord God,
no one is a stranger to you
and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war,
those separated from their loved ones,
young people who are lost,
and those who have left home or who have run away from home.
Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be
and help us always to show your kindness
to strangers and to all in need
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
A reading from the Book of Isaiah
11:1-10
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans
15:4-9
Brothers and sisters:
Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,
that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised
to show God’s truthfulness,
to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing praises to your name.
From hte Gospel according to Matthew
3:1-12
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Today, the Second Sunday of Advent, the Gospel for the Liturgy presents the figure of John the Baptist. The text says that John “wore a garment of camel’s hair”, that “his food was locusts and wild honey” (Mt 3:4), and that he invited everyone to conversion: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”! (v. 2). He preached the nearness of the Kingdom. In short, he was an austere and radical man, who at first sight might appear somewhat harsh and could instil a certain fear. (…) In reality, the Baptist, more than being a harsh man, was a man who was allergic to duplicity. Listen well to this: allergic to duplicity. For example, when the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were known for their hypocrisy, approached him, his “allergic reaction” was very strong! In fact, some of them probably went to him out of curiosity or opportunism because John had become quite popular. (…) So, John says to them: “Bear fruit that befits repentance!” (v. 8). This is a cry of love, like the cry of a father who sees his son ruining himself and tells him: “Don’t throw your life away”! In essence, dear brothers and sisters, hypocrisy is the greatest danger because it can ruin even the most sacred realities. (…) With his “allergic reactions” John makes us reflect. Are we not at times a bit like those Pharisees? (…) Advent is a time of grace to take off our masks — each one of us has them — and line up with those who are humble, to be liberated from the presumption of believing we are self-sufficient, to go to confess our sins, the hidden ones, and to welcome God’s pardon, to ask forgiveness from those we offended. This is how to begin a new life. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 December 2022)
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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, speaks with members of Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), during a Dec. 5, 2025 fundraising dinner to support of Christians in the Holy Land at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan. / Credit: Courtesy of Detroit Catholic, photos by Tim Fuller.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dec 6, 2025 / 15:30 pm (CNA).
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed cautious hope for peace in Gaza, calling on people of the region to combat hatred and “think differently” about each other.
Pizzaballa, whose authority extends over Latin Catholics in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus, also holds the office of grand prior of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He began a four-day pastoral visit to metro Detroit on Dec. 4, celebrating Mass with the Chaldean community at St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger and Chaldean Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat joined him. Throughout the visit, the cardinal offered a sober yet grounded message of hope for Christians in the Holy Land.
At a press conference on Dec. 5, Weisenburger welcomed the cardinal and praised his efforts to promote a “just and lasting peace” in Gaza. Asked by CNA what hope remains for Holy Land Christians amid what he had described as some of the worst devastation in decades, Pizzaballa cautioned against equating hope with immediate political solutions.
“Hope is a complicated word,” he said. “You must not confuse hope with a political solution, which will not arrive soon, not in Gaza, the Holy Land, or the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. If you put your hope in this, you will be frustrated.” He emphasized that both political and religious institutions must work to nurture hope.
“Hope,” the cardinal continued, “is a word that cannot remain alone. It has to put roots in something else,” namely, faith and desire. He added, “There needs to be a desire for it to be realized. A second consideration is that if institutions fail, we need people to think differently, to act differently, both Israelis and Palestinians. This may not resolve all the problems, but it says to people, ‘All is not lost.’”
Christians represent only about 1% of Gaza’s population—roughly 500 people—and about 2% of the population in both Israel and the West Bank, where there are about 190,000 and 45,000 Christians, respectively. Many continue to emigrate, raising fears about the future of Christianity in the region. Gaza has only one Catholic parish, for example.
The patriarch described the increasingly dire conditions in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Most infrastructure—homes, hospitals, and schools—has been reduced to rubble, he said, leaving families in tents as winter approaches and food remains scarce. During a visit after Hamas and Israel concluded a ceasefire this fall, he brought food, including chicken, to Christians sheltering at the Holy Family parish compound. “It was the first meat they had seen in nine months,” he said. Although food enters Gaza, much of it ends up in markets, where many have no cash to purchase it, he said.
Despite the devastation, sacramental life continues. Hosting some 500 displaced Gazans, the parish has school activities and daily liturgies, including Mass, Vespers, the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration. First Communions and even a wedding have taken place. The parish’s sacramental life has emboldened solidarity among those taking shelter at the church, but has been a spiritual aid, Pizzaballa said.
“Every time I speak with them, I never hear a word of anger; never,” Pizzaballa said. “And one person, I can’t even say the name, he was the director of the hospital. One evening, in Gaza, between the bombs falling not far from the compound, he said, ‘You know, bishop, we Christians have a problem. Amidst all the violence, we are not able to hate them.’”
While Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire on Oct. 9, Pizzaballa said Gazans are only now emerging from “survival mode.” He said, “They ask, ‘What do we do now? When will rebuilding start? What governance will there be? Who will decide? What about our children?’ There was no emotional space for these questions before, but now they are coming out.”
Weisenburger acknowledged the complexity of the situation, saying it cannot be “simplified into sound bites.” He reflected on the human cost of the war: “Too many of those bombs that killed some 70,000 people, wiped their homes from the face of the earth, and destroyed their cities, schools, and hospitals, were from us. I think we in America must accept some responsibility for rebuilding.” He expressed gratitude for the cardinal’s message of hope, adding that generous Detroiters had already pledged about $500,000 for needs in the Holy Land. “By doing something, we can nurture hope,” he said.
In his homily at the Chaldean community Mass, Pizzaballa compared Isaiah’s vision of restoration with present-day devastation in the Middle East, including the suffering of Chaldeans in Iraq at the hands of ISIS. He stressed the Church’s mission of fostering peace. Regarding the Hamas attack, he said, “We have to say this very clearly: it is not acceptable at all.” He added, however, that Israel’s “retaliation, what happened after in Gaza, is an even more difficult answer.” He emphasized, “We are not against Israel,” while insisting that “The situation will never change as long as the Palestinians are not recognized as people with their dignity and a right of self-determination.”
On Dec. 5, the cardinal visited fellow Franciscans at St. Bonaventure Monastery and prayed at the tomb of Blessed Solanus Casey. He received a first-class relic of Blessed Solanus to bring to Jerusalem. The Chaldean community also presented him with relics of four Chaldean martyrs. The next day, he visited Sacred Heart Seminary and spoke with seminarians and faculty.
About 500 people attended the Dec. 5 fundraising dinner held at St. John’s Resort, the former seminary campus dedicated to charitable hospitality. Weisenburger said the resort’s owner, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, donates 100% of its net profits for such events to charity.
Pilgrimages to Holy Land to resume
Holy Land Christians continue to feel the economic repercussions of the war, particularly in Bethlehem, which is located in the West Bank area of Jordan that is administered by Israel and where tourism has plummeted. Author and filmmaker Steve Ray, who has led more than 200 pilgrimages, plans to guide a group of over 50 pilgrims from Dec. 28 to Jan. 6.
“I’ve heard that 70% to 80% of the revenue of Christians comes from pilgrims. To have all the tour buses parked for two years is financially devastating,” he said. On the question of safety, he added, “Social media blows things way out of proportion. No pilgrims have ever been hurt. We are not concerned.” He plans four more pilgrimages in 2026, including one for Ave Maria University students.
Concluding his sweep through Detroit, Pizzaballa is set to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Little Flower, which treasures the relics of St. Therese de Lisieux.
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Chris Pratt speaks at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. / Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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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After a bidding war, Netflix has secured a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for a reported $82.7 billion. Once the deal is finalized, fans will notice significant changes to beloved WB properties like Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
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PASADENA, CA — A family of Jehovah’s Witnesses continued their annual tradition of piling into the car and going for a drive to look at houses without Christmas lights.
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A shattered ceiling light fixture on a bamboo floor mat. The lamp was a semi flush mounted light fixture with a shallow glass dome of clear glass coated with white glass on the inside. In the fixture are LED light bulbs with E27 Edison screw. The hook in the ceiling suddenly came lose one day and the lamp crashed to the floor in an apartment in Brastad, Lysekil Municipality, Sweden. Photographed in natural light from the window. Focus stacked from 10 photos.
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On Dec. 6, 1957, the Naval Research Laboratory attempted to launch Vanguard Test Vehicle 3, an answer to Sputnik and part of the American effort to put a satellite in orbit during the International Geophysical Year (July 1957-December 1958). Vanguard TV3 was diminutive, weighing only 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) and only 6 inches (15.24 centimeters)Continue reading “Dec. 6, 1957: Vanguard TV3 explodes”
The post Dec. 6, 1957: Vanguard TV3 explodes appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, blesses the new mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Vatican Gardens at a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Vatican officials on Dec. 5, 2025 / Credit: Bohumil Petrík
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.
Read More![Jefferson parish marks more than 65 years since church completion #Catholic - With joy, St. Jude Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood of Jefferson, N.J., marked more than 65 years of the construction of the church and even longer as a significant — and constantly improving — part of the spiritual and civic life of the community on Nov. 15 during a Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
Bishop Sweeney was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Father Kamil (Peter) Wierzbicki, pastor of St. Jude’s, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Thomas Friel of St. Jude’s, John Meyer of St. Michael Parish in Netcong, N.J., and Timothy Dunmyer of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mount Arlington, N.J., who is studying for the permanent diaconate in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, assisted with the liturgy. The parish’s anniversary celebrations have been delayed, initially starting with COVID-19.
“The parishioners at St. Jude’s are close to each other, are good to each other, and help each other. They do what they can to make things happen. They are family,” said Father Wierzbicki, who was named the parish’s administrator in 2018 and pastor the following year. “Lake Hopatcong is a beautiful small rural community. It’s quiet, except in the summer, when people come to their vacation homes around the lake. The community recognizes St. Jude’s importance spiritually, historically, and socially and relies on us.”
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The 400-family St. Jude’s has groups such as the Rosary Altar Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Prayer Group. The parish has supported outreaches such as food and holiday gift drives for families in need, programs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Alcoholics Anonymous, and community activities, such as blood drives, carnivals, dances, card parties, variety shows, Bingo, and school events. St. Jude’s belongs to the Lakeland Association of Churches of Lake Hopatcong.
To help meet the needs of the parish and community, St. Jude’s has made improvements to its facilities, including to its parish center and the parking lot, which was repaved. Renovations to the church have included a new altar of the tabernacle, an organ, a choir loft, and the renovation of the readers’ stands.
The heritage of St. Jude parish lies in the mission churches that sprang up around Lake Hopatcong in the early 20th century to serve the needs of the resort community’s large summer population.
In the fall of 1958, church construction began, with the formal dedication occurring Aug. 16, 1959, as a mission church of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mount Arlington, N.J. In 1966, the mission church St. Jude was promoted to parish status and assumed responsibility for the mission church St. Joseph in the Northwood section of Hopatcong, N.J. Father Joseph W. Molloy was the first pastor of St. Jude’s, which initially served 90 families.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/jefferson-parish-marks-more-than-65-years-since-church-completion-catholic-with-joy-st-jude-parish-in-the-lake-hopatcong-neighborhood-of-jefferson-n-j-marked-more-than-65-years-of-the-construc.jpg)
Jefferson parish marks more than 65 years since church completion #Catholic – 
With joy, St. Jude Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood of Jefferson, N.J., marked more than 65 years of the construction of the church and even longer as a significant — and constantly improving — part of the spiritual and civic life of the community on Nov. 15 during a Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
Bishop Sweeney was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Father Kamil (Peter) Wierzbicki, pastor of St. Jude’s, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Thomas Friel of St. Jude’s, John Meyer of St. Michael Parish in Netcong, N.J., and Timothy Dunmyer of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mount Arlington, N.J., who is studying for the permanent diaconate in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, assisted with the liturgy. The parish’s anniversary celebrations have been delayed, initially starting with COVID-19.
“The parishioners at St. Jude’s are close to each other, are good to each other, and help each other. They do what they can to make things happen. They are family,” said Father Wierzbicki, who was named the parish’s administrator in 2018 and pastor the following year. “Lake Hopatcong is a beautiful small rural community. It’s quiet, except in the summer, when people come to their vacation homes around the lake. The community recognizes St. Jude’s importance spiritually, historically, and socially and relies on us.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
The 400-family St. Jude’s has groups such as the Rosary Altar Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Prayer Group. The parish has supported outreaches such as food and holiday gift drives for families in need, programs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Alcoholics Anonymous, and community activities, such as blood drives, carnivals, dances, card parties, variety shows, Bingo, and school events. St. Jude’s belongs to the Lakeland Association of Churches of Lake Hopatcong.
To help meet the needs of the parish and community, St. Jude’s has made improvements to its facilities, including to its parish center and the parking lot, which was repaved. Renovations to the church have included a new altar of the tabernacle, an organ, a choir loft, and the renovation of the readers’ stands.
The heritage of St. Jude parish lies in the mission churches that sprang up around Lake Hopatcong in the early 20th century to serve the needs of the resort community’s large summer population.
In the fall of 1958, church construction began, with the formal dedication occurring Aug. 16, 1959, as a mission church of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mount Arlington, N.J. In 1966, the mission church St. Jude was promoted to parish status and assumed responsibility for the mission church St. Joseph in the Northwood section of Hopatcong, N.J. Father Joseph W. Molloy was the first pastor of St. Jude’s, which initially served 90 families.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
– With joy, St. Jude Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood of Jefferson, N.J., marked more than 65 years of the construction of the church and even longer as a significant — and constantly improving — part of the spiritual and civic life of the community on Nov. 15 during a Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Bishop Sweeney was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Father Kamil (Peter) Wierzbicki, pastor of St. Jude’s, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Thomas Friel of St. Jude’s, John Meyer of St. Michael Parish in Netcong, N.J., and Timothy Dunmyer of Our Lady of
![2 Filippini Sisters mark 50 years of service in Morristown #Catholic - Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio and Sister Donna Gaglioti of the Religious Teachers Filippini of the Province of St. Lucy Filippini on Nov. 15 rejoiced in each celebrating 50 years in consecrated life during a Mass in the community’s motherhouse chapel in Morristown, N.J.
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey celebrated the Mass for the two Jubilarians. Father Robert Kaeding, a retired priest of the Trenton Diocese, also in New Jersey, and a longtime associate of Sister Gaglioti’s, concelebrated the liturgy.
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The Filippini Sisters schedule a Mass for their Jubilarians close to Nov. 12, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That’s when the sisters renew their oblation, their vows to the Pontifical Order Teachers Filippini.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-filippini-sisters-mark-50-years-of-service-in-morristown-catholic-sister-elizabeth-seton-dalessio-and-sister-donna-gaglioti-of-the-religious-teachers-filippini-of-the-province-of-st-lucy-filippi.jpg)
2 Filippini Sisters mark 50 years of service in Morristown #Catholic – 
Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio and Sister Donna Gaglioti of the Religious Teachers Filippini of the Province of St. Lucy Filippini on Nov. 15 rejoiced in each celebrating 50 years in consecrated life during a Mass in the community’s motherhouse chapel in Morristown, N.J.
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey celebrated the Mass for the two Jubilarians. Father Robert Kaeding, a retired priest of the Trenton Diocese, also in New Jersey, and a longtime associate of Sister Gaglioti’s, concelebrated the liturgy.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
The Filippini Sisters schedule a Mass for their Jubilarians close to Nov. 12, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That’s when the sisters renew their oblation, their vows to the Pontifical Order Teachers Filippini.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
– Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio and Sister Donna Gaglioti of the Religious Teachers Filippini of the Province of St. Lucy Filippini on Nov. 15 rejoiced in each celebrating 50 years in consecrated life during a Mass in the community’s motherhouse chapel in Morristown, N.J. Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey celebrated the Mass for the two Jubilarians. Father Robert Kaeding, a retired priest of the Trenton Diocese, also in New Jersey, and a longtime associate of Sister Gaglioti’s, concelebrated the liturgy. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Filippini Sisters schedule a Mass
Statue of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Bari, Italy, at the Pontifical Basilica of St. Nicholas. / Credit: Veronica Giacometti/ACI Stampa
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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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. / Credit: Monastery of Bethlehem
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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