The Arlington Catholic Herald

Dec. 29 — Lk 2:41-52 Today’s solemnity falls within the octave of Christmas. This means that the church spreads out its celebration of Christmas day over an eight-day period. All week we pray the Gloria at Mass, use the preface prayers for Christmas Day and use portions of the Liturgy of the Hours from Dec. …

Build families in love Read More »

12/26/24
Reading Time 4 min
It happens all year — the requests for donations for all manner of charitable causes.
12/19/24
Reading Time 3 min
A short, simple statement — "Marley was dead"— ranks high in any list of most famous first line in all literature. Marley, we soon learn, is the deceased former partner Ebenezer Scrooge, the memorable central figure in Charles Dickens' classic “A Christmas Carol.”
12/19/24
Reading Time 3 min
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christmas celebrates the reason for our hope, as Sacred Scripture proclaims: “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2:11) The coming of the Lord offers us a sure hope no matter our challenges or circumstances. Our …

Christmas 2024 Read More »

12/19/24
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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis called on Catholics to focus their Holy Year 2025 pilgrimages on Jesus Christ, who is both the path and destination for Christian hope. At his general audience Dec. 18, the pope began a new series of talks on “Jesus Christ our hope,” which he announced will the theme for his …

Jesus is the path and destination for Jubilee pilgrims, pope says Read More »

12/18/24
Reading Time 2 min
When I was still in the stage of life where the Lord would ask me if I were open to a baby, it was very, very easy to meditate upon the Annunciation. It was so simple to imagine myself in a small home in Nazareth, fully open to conversation with an angel. “Well then, Lord, …

Every heart a manger Read More »

12/18/24
Reading Time 3 min
Local Catholic high school students recently spent the day at the diocese’s chancery offices and the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, dedicated to learning about the many cultures represented on their campuses and throughout the diocese. Members of the student Ethnic Diversity Council of Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in …

John Paul the Great students deepen their appreciation for the universal, Catholic Church Read More »

12/17/24
Reading Time 3 min
The 46-day 2025 Virginia General Assembly session begins Jan. 8. In a sense, it has already begun. Proposed constitutional amendments On Nov. 13, a House committee voted to fast-track an extreme “right to abortion” amendment to Virginia’s constitution. The move clears the way for a House floor vote as early as the first day of …

The Virginia General Assembly begins Jan. 8. Here’s the legislation on the docket Read More »

12/17/24
Reading Time 3 min
By Fr. Jack Peterson, YA

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VATICAN CITY — On Pope Francis’ 88th birthday, two major newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean published two different excerpts from his new book on hope. The New York Times published the pope’s words on the importance of humor as a “guest essay” in its opinion section, while Italy’s Corriere della Sera ran, …

Iraqi police intercepted terrorists planning to assassinate him, pope says Read More »

12/17/24
Reading Time 3 min
Pope Francis called on musicians and artists to serve as “angels of peace” during his address to participants of the 2024 Vatican Christmas concert Dec. 14. Speaking in the Clementine Hall, the pope emphasized the unique power of music to foster unity and communion, drawing parallels to the first Christmas. “It is moving to think, …

Pope Francis calls on Vatican Christmas concert artists to promote peace, reconciliation Read More »

12/16/24
Reading Time 2 min
AJACCIO, France — As Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the usual excitement of an open-air Mass with the pope was combined with the flair and pageantry of a Renaissance fair. Throngs of Corsicans, dressed in medieval outfits and carrying banners depicting Marian images, …

Pope praises popular piety during first papal trip to Corsica Read More »

12/16/24
Reading Time 4 min
The Kid’s Connection will capture the attention of your little ones. Click here to download the latest issue and please let us know on our social media if your kids succeed in solving it! We’d love to hear about it!
12/17/24
Reading Time 1 min
A new movie from Netflix about the Blessed Virgin Mary has received mixed reviews, with some Catholics on social media criticizing the film’s depiction of Mary and the kind of relationship she had with Joseph. “There’s always going to be criticisms, no matter what kind of movie you make, but if you do it all …

Catholic director wants to honor the Blessed Mother in Netflix’s “Mary” Read More »

12/13/24
Reading Time 3 min
The Kid’s Connection will capture the attention of your little ones. Click here to download the latest issue and please let us know on our social media if your kids succeed in solving it! We’d love to hear about it!
12/12/24
Reading Time 1 min

Christmas

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12/19/24
Reading Time 3 min

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Christmas