Saint Elias Media

The pope was assisted in reading his prepared remarks for the Sunday Angelus by his aide, Monsignor Paolo Braida. / Vatican Media Vatican City, Dec 3, 2023 / 08:32 am (CNA). Pope Francis, for the second consecutive Sunday, was assisted by an aide in praying the Angelus, as he continues to recover from an acute…

Advent wreath. / Credit: Shutterstock CNA Staff, Dec 3, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA). During the holidays, Nativity scenes and Christmas trees decorate most Catholic homes, but what about Advent wreaths?  Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches and have four candles. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent — three candles…

Advent candles. / Romolo Tavini/Shutterstock CNA Newsroom, Dec 3, 2023 / 06:00 am (CNA). Advent begins this year on Sunday, Dec. 3. Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Advent involves a wreath with candles, possibly a “calendar” of hidden chocolates, and untangling strings of Christmas lights. But Advent is…

A 17th-century Japanese depiction of St. Francis Xavier from the Kobe City Museum collection. / Public Domain. Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 3, 2023 / 04:00 am (CNA). How far would you go to serve God? Would you be willing to travel to the ends of the earth, with nothing but the guarantee of hardship, deprivation, and…

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del sur province in the southern Philippines on Dec. 3, 2023. At least three people were killed and seven wounded, officials said. / Credit:…