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Local
By Dave Borowski
In April, Pope Francis declared that a Jubilee Year of Mercy be observed from the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, to the solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 20, 2016. The pope opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome Dec. 8, and Dec. 13 he opened the Holy Door of […]
Local
By Zoey Dimauro
After months of hard work, Anson Brassell completed his Eagle Scout project. At the suggestion of his pastor, Father John P. Mosimann, Brassell, a St. John the Apostle parishioner and high school senior, decided to build a grotto outside the historic St. John Chapel in downtown Leesburg. Following the example of a parishioner who constructed […]
Columnists
By George Weigel
It’s been a good reading year, and I highly recommend the following to the readers on your Christmas (not “holiday”) shopping list: God or Nothing, by Cardinal Robert Sarah (Ignatius Press): It was the book being discussed at the 2015 Synod and with good reason, for this interview-style autobiography of a life of faith is […]
Pope Francis
By Carol Glatz
ROME – If a pilgrim walking to Rome for a Holy Year fell mortally ill far from home or a poor tenant farmer died working in a field or an unidentifiable victim of murder was found, a group of courageous Christians buried these anonymous or forgotten dead with dignity. Founded in 1538, the Archconfraternity of […]
Local
By Katie Scott
If you flipped on the television around this time last year, you might have caught a glimpse of Stacey Jackson alongside religious sisters in an episode of “The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns,” a Lifetime reality series following five women as they discerned the religious life. Fast-forward a year later and Jackson again is surrounded by religious […]
National
By Richard Szczepanowski
UNION BRIDGE, Md. – Retail experts call the growing popularity of cut-your-own Christmas trees “consumer engagement,” but Michael Ryan, owner and operator of Clemsonville Christmas tree farm in Union Bridge, calls it “part of a fun-filled memorable experience.” An increase in the popularity of artificial trees over live trees several decades ago has leveled off […]
Local
By For The Catholic Herald
During Advent, students at Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg decided to tell the Christmas story visually through the school hallways. Each grade worked on one of the Christmas mysteries and created a panorama of the event. The displays spanned the whole Christmas story: Kindergartners started with the Annunciation; first-graders illustrated Mary’s visit to Elizabeth; second-graders […]
Columns
By Fr. John Catoir
Another year is at our doorstep. When you begin to think about the new adventures you’ll embark on during this New Year, try to make Jesus Christ the centerpiece. To accomplish this, I’d like to share some thoughts with you. Cardinal John Henry Newman comes to mind. Cardinal Newman was born in England, and became […]
Columns
By Carolyn Woo
As the Year of Mercy began on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I remembered the popular parable of the prodigal son. Its graphic depiction of the younger son’s profligate behavior, the depth of his misery groveling for scraps among pigs and the father’s magnanimous welcome with rings, robe, sandals and feast leave little unsaid […]
Humility, joy and mercy