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

Dec 24, 2023

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.

Some of the Guests at the one day concert held at St. Mary's auditorium in Nairobi. Credit: ACI Africa

How Youth at Kenyan Catholic Parish are Supporting Needy Colleagues in Twinning Initiative

Dec 4, 2023

Members of the Kings and Queens youth group of St. Austin’s Catholic Parish of Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya are reaching out to their needy colleagues in a first evangelization context in the country’s Nakuru Diocese in a twinning initiative that started seven years ago.

Pope Francis meets a delegation of people who donated the Christmas tree and the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square and the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Dec. 10, 2021. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Avoid "fake Christmas" of Commercialism by Reflecting on God’s Closeness: Pope Francis

Dec 10, 2021

The Vatican’s 2021 nativity scene was unveiled in St. Peter’s Square.

Decorations on the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 11, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media. Ornament-making photos courtesy of Sabina Šegula. St. Peter's Basilica nativity credit: Courtney Mares.

This Year’s Vatican Christmas Tree Has Ornaments Handmade by the Homeless

Dec 11, 2020

Reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted wooden ornaments made by the homeless, as well as children and other adults.