Advertisement

Summer Christmas

Statue of St. John the Baptist with golden cross, Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic. / Credit: Oldrich Barak/Shutterstock

"Summer Christmas": Why does the Church Celebrate the Birthday of St. John the Baptist?

Jun 24, 2024

Because it falls exactly six months before the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord, St. John’s birthday is sometimes known as “summer Christmas.”

Latest headlines

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (Center) during the October 12 conference marking the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs of Uganda. Credit: SECAM

“The Church cannot remain silent”: SECAM President Speaks Out against Exploitation of Africa’s Mineral Resources

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Congo-Brazzaville (CEC)

“Be builders of our Church”: Catholic Bishops in Congo Brazzaville to Young People in a Synodal Church

Seminarians in Angola Urged to Embrace Discipline, Prayer as Foundations of Christian Life

Religious Leaders in Kenya. Credit: National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK)

Religious Leaders in Kenya Urge Government to Radically Redeem Country Shown to be “headed in wrong direction”

Synodality “a pastoral imperative”: Catholic Bishops in Congo Brazzaville

Sr. Bibiana Ijeoma Okwaraku

How St. Francis Movie Motivated Young Nigerian Girl to become Catholic Nun

Trending

Fr. Peter Okonkwo

Official at Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa Encourages Support for African Vocations amid Global Decline

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen during the Saturday, 12 October 2024 installation of Bishop Wallace Ng’ang’a Gachihi as Kenya’s Military Local Ordinary. Credit: Radio Waumini

At Installation of Kenya’s Military Bishop, Nuncio Lauds Defence Forces for Christ-like Sacrifice in Peacekeeping

Bishop John Akinkunmi Oyejola of Nigeria’s Osogbo Diocese

Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Calls for Deeper Faith, Spiritual Commitment ahead of Mission Sunday

Pioneer Bishop of Angolan Diocese Calls for Unity “in faith and work” to Grow Apostolic See

Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) in Kenya. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN)

“Big mistake, blunder”: Kenyan Catholic Archbishop Criticizes Education Devoid of Spiritual Development

In January 2025, Pope Francis will become the first sitting pontiff to publish an autobiographical memoir, which will be titled “Hope.” / Credit: Penguin Random House

Pope Francis to Release "first memoir published by a sitting pontiff" in January

Elisabeth Román is president of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry. / Credit: Courtesy of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry

Vatican “Synodality Tent”: Place to Reflect on Presence of Latin America, Popular Movements, Africa among Other Themes

Sr. Bibiana Ijeoma Okwaraku

How St. Francis Movie Motivated Young Nigerian Girl to become Catholic Nun

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of Caxito Diocese in Angola. Credit: Radio Ecclesia

“Live your faith with dignity”: Catholic Bishop in Angola to Christians

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Hopes for "reconciled differences" with Orthodox and Protestant Christians

Videos