Il Blog di Holyart.com
Contents1 “Unless I See, I Will Not Believe”2 The Doubt of Saint Thomas3 Saint Thomas and His Evangelistic Work4 Gospel of Saint Thomas Let’s talk about Saint Thomas, the doubting apostle, a devoted follower of Jesus and a great evangelist, often remembered more for his…
Contents1 Why walk the Camino de Santiago2 The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela3 The pilgrim’s compostela4 The shell of Santiago For centuries, the Camino de Santiago has represented one of the most significant pilgrimages of faith that a person can undertake. Let’s see why embarking…
Contents
When does a person become a saint? By studying and retracing the many stories of saints passed down through hagiographic documents with liturgical significance, such as martyrologies and calendars, and through devotional narrative texts, like the Passions, miracle stories, and relics, as well as iconographic representations in sacred art or those related to worship, we discover that for many saints, the path to holiness began in the family. Consider Saint Augustine, perhaps one of the most significant examples. His mother, Saint Monica, dedicated her entire life to correcting his bad habits and steering him away from sin and debauchery until she convinced him to seek guidance from Saint Ambrose and choose the path of holiness. Saint Augustine was eternally grateful to his mother, as he wrote in his Confessions.
Saint Monica: patron saint of mothers and example for women
Saint Monica of Tagaste was a woman endowed with extraordinary strength of mind and unwavering faith…
But there are also stories of saints who embarked on the path to Grace, and often to martyrdom, alongside their brother or sister. United in holiness as in life, serving as models and encouragement for one another, sometimes even martyred together in the name of their faith, these men and women represent an admirable example of how within the same family, not one but two, and sometimes more, instances of beatitude can emerge. It is natural to think that these saintly siblings inspired, encouraged, and supported each other, as only siblings can.
Holy Martyrs: sacrificing one’s life in the name of God
The Holy Martyrs are men and women, often very young, who sacrificed their lives for the love of God, and for this reason…
Let’s see the lives of the Famous Saintly Siblings
In Nantes, in the Loire Valley, two stone crosses commemorate Saints Donatian and Rogatian. Both were young—Donatian was already baptized, and Rogatian was still a catechumen—but both preached the Word of God. This drew the persecution of Emperor Maximinus upon them. Arrested together, they spent the night in prayer, then were tortured, flayed, and killed. Their remains were placed together in a stone sarcophagus, and their cult is one of the most widespread in the Loire Valley and France. Their liturgical memorial is on May 24.
When speaking of Saint Benedict, patron of Europe, it is inevitable to mention Saints Cyril and Methodius, his co-patrons. Originally from Thessalonica in Greece, they were among the principal evangelizers of the Slavic peoples in the 9th century AD and became their patrons. Sons of a military governor, they witnessed the conflicts and tensions between the Eastern and Western Churches and travelled to Rome, where they met Pope Nicholas I, who established the methods of evangelizing the Slavic populations and the appropriate language to use.
In Rome, Methodius took his vows, and so did Cyril (whose original name was Constantine), who fell ill and died, being buried at the Basilica of San Clemente. The two saintly brothers led very adventurous lives. At one point, they were even captured and sold as slaves in Venice. It was Pope John Paul II who, in 1980, declared them co-patrons of Europe, alongside Saint Benedict of Nursia.
The saints that changed the world
The history of Europe and of the Western world as we know them goes through many and constant political…
On July 29, we celebrate Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the holy friends of Jesus. We know they lived in Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. Martha was the caregiver, concerned with the house and the well-being of her brother, sister, and their guest, Jesus, ensuring He always had food and drink and could feel at home. Mary, seated at Jesus’ feet, eagerly absorbed His words, while Lazarus, discreet, watched over his sisters and friend like a silent guardian. When Lazarus suddenly fell ill and died, Martha wept before Jesus, saying that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. In response, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. According to the Golden Legend, after Jesus’ death, the three siblings from Bethany went to France to preach His Word, and Lazarus became the first bishop of Marseille.
Saint Benedict of Nursia, Patron of Europe, had a sister, in fact, a twin sister, who was also a saint: Saint Scholastica. She was devoted to religious studies from a young age, just like her twin brother, by their father’s will. Together with Benedict, she fled from Rome and its dissolute life to retire to a monastery near Nursia, where she took a vow of chastity and renounced worldly possessions. Although she couldn’t stay with Benedict, who had become a hermit, she never stayed far from him. Whenever possible, she visited him in Subiaco, where he was building the Abbey of Montecassino. Scholastica also established a monastery, just 7 kilometres from her brother’s, in Piumarola, where she founded the female branch of the Benedictine Order, the Benedictine nuns. The siblings would meet halfway from time to time to pray and talk together. When Scholastica felt her death approaching, she begged Benedict to stay with her. When he refused, unable to break the Rule he had written, Scholastica prayed fervently to God. A violent storm forced Benedict to delay his departure and stay by her side. A few days after their last meeting, Scholastica passed away.
St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict of Norcia
On Feb. 10, the Church commemorates St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict of Norcia, patroness of Benedictine…
Perhaps not everyone remembers that in the Gospels, the first apostle we meet is not Peter, chosen by Christ as His successor, nor John, the beloved disciple, but Andrew, the fisherman. And Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. Like his brother, Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee, following the teachings of John the Baptist. One day, he saw Jesus passing by, whom the Baptist called the Lamb of God. Inspired by these words, Andrew ran to his brother Simon Peter, declaring with conviction, “We have found the Messiah!” Andrew appears in other gospel passages and was, of course, present with the other Apostles and Mary in Jerusalem after the Ascension, on the day of Pentecost. He was martyred in Greece after spreading the Word in Asia Minor and Russia. He was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross, which has since been known as St. Andrew’s Cross.
In the case of Saints Marcellina and Ambrose, there are actually three saintly siblings: Saint Satyrus, Ambrose’s twin brother, should also be counted among the family saints. Satyrus was a lawyer, provincial prefect, and administrator of the family estates. Marcellina was the eldest and raised her brothers after their father’s death. She consecrated her virginity to God, receiving the veil of virgins from Pope Liberius on Christmas Day in 353 AD. For this, her brother dedicated the treatise “De virginibus” to her. Marcellina devoted her life to study, prayer, and good works, always serving as a precious role model for her younger brothers, especially Saint Ambrose.
Lastly, we remember the saintly doctors, Cosmas and Damian, to whom we have dedicated a previous article. Also twins, they lived in the 4th century and were both physicians from Arabia. Along with their three younger brothers, Saints Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius, they preached the Word of God, saving souls in addition to curing bodies, often without asking for any compensation. All five were martyred during the terrible persecution initiated by Diocletian. Specifically, Saints Cosmas and Damian were stoned, flogged, crucified, struck with darts and spears, thrown into the sea with a rock tied around their necks, burned in a blazing furnace, and finally beheaded along with their younger brothers. They are celebrated on September 26.
The Fathers of the Church are the primary Christian writers, whose works form the foundations of the Church’s doctrine. Let’s get to know them. We have previously discussed the Doctors of the Church, those men and women who, by virtue of their holiness and wisdom,…
Giovanni, the beloved disciple of Jesus. A fisherman, like the brothers Simon Peter and Andrew, he had a special relationship with Christ. Here’s why We have seen on many occasions how much importance Jesus attributed to friendship and how much He valued His friends. This…
Contents
Today we are discussing Priestly Ordination, one of the seven Sacraments. First, we need to understand what is meant by a presbyter in the Catholic Christian religion. A presbyter is a man of the Church endowed with the faculty to preside over religious ceremonies, lead the community, and preach the word of God. In practice, this is what we commonly call a priest, who is responsible for administering the Sacraments, performing all pastoral duties, and possibly presiding over a parish as a pastor. The word comes from the Greek “presbýteros,” meaning “elder,” which gave rise to the Latin word “presbyter,” from which the term “priest” is also derived.
Ecclesiastic hierarchy within the Catholic Church
The Church is a very wide and complex institution, and, as such, it needs a well-defined hierarchy that has developed throughout time…
The Rite of Priestly Ordination is the second level of Holy Orders and ordains Presbyters, men chosen to collaborate with Bishops, who, like the Bishops, can preach the Word, administer the Sacraments and the Eucharist, and manage a parish. What a Presbyter cannot do is confer Holy Orders themselves; this task, at all levels, is reserved for Bishops.
Usually, the person receiving Priestly Ordination is already a Deacon, having received the first level of Holy Orders and already collaborating with a priest. The Diocesan Bishop administers the Ordination in the cathedral during a grand solemn ceremony.
There is no real difference between a priest, a presbyter, and a presbyter: in all cases, we are talking about a man who has received the second level of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The single Sacrament of Holy Orders is, in fact, divided into three levels: Diaconate, Presbyterate, and Episcopate.
The first level of Holy Orders is the Diaconate, designating Deacons as helpers of the Bishops. They can preach the word of God, administer Baptism, assist in other Sacraments, but they do not have the pastoral and sacred functions of Presbyters.
The second level, the Presbyterate, designates presbyters or priests, whom we are discussing in this article.
The third level, the Episcopate, is conferred upon Bishops, considered the successors of the Apostles. By virtue of this ordination, they are entrusted with the three ministries of teaching, pastoral governance, and sanctification.
How to become a deacon: duties and education
Who is a deacon and what does he do? How to become a deacon? Let’s find out more about this figure that has always been present…
The rite of Ordination is divided into:
In the introductory rites, the Bishop’s Interrogation is particularly important, consisting of five questions concerning the future priest’s willingness to:
The candidates respond together saying, “Yes, I do.” To the last question, they respond, “Yes, with the help of God, I do.” The Interrogation is followed by the Promise of Obedience, in which each candidate places his hands between the Bishop’s hands and promises “filial respect and obedience” to him and his successors.
The Ordination Proper consists of the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop on each candidate’s head, followed by the Prayer of Consecration spoken by the ordaining Bishop alone.
This is followed by the Explanatory Rites:
At the end of the ritual, the Bishop embraces and kisses each candidate (the Kiss of Peace), and the new presbyters concelebrate the Eucharist with him and all the other priests present.
The host in the Eucharistic celebration
The host is the unleavened bread that symbolizes the body of Christ during the celebration of the Eucharist, the celebration which…
Given the importance of Priestly Consecration in the life of a man who has chosen to dedicate his life to the priesthood, it is natural for friends and family to participate in this fundamental step. It is common to give a special gift to the young newly-ordained priest, usually items that might be useful in his new life as a priest or pastor.
These gifts range from clothing, such as the classic Clergyman Cassock or actual Sacred Vestments, like the Stole or Chasuble. Liturgical objects and accessories needed to celebrate Mass are also useful: chalice, ciborium, paten, and monstrance, which should be gold or silver; chasubles, tunicles, copes, humeral veils, which should be silk; albs, purificators, palls, altar cloths, and amices in linen or hemp.
For young priests or those intending to travel frequently, pilgrimage sets and travel cases are also useful. Books are timeless gifts, especially special editions of Liturgical Texts or a Bible to carry with them.
Other, more personal, gift ideas can include religious-themed art objects, from paintings to statues to sacred furnishings, as well as frames, fountain pens, and lecterns. Visit our online shop to discover many original and unforgettable ideas for this unique occasion.
Doctor of the Church, Hammer of Heretics, Protector of the Poor, Saint Anthony of Padua is also considered the patron saint of marriages. Let’s see why. While Saint Rita of Cascia is regarded as the protector of marriages, particularly of unfortunate brides, there is also…
In anticipation of the Holy Year 2025, Christians around the world are preparing to be Pilgrims of Hope. Here are the tools provided by the Dicastery, the Intentions and prayers of the Pope, and the special Jubilee prayer. 2025 will be the year of the…
Contents
A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey that requires accurate and careful preparation. Preparing adequately for a pilgrimage, especially with the upcoming Jubilee 2025, whether heading to Rome or other sacred destinations, is fundamental for experiencing a deep and seamless spiritual journey. But what should you bring on a pilgrimage?
The items to pack vary based on the season and destination, but there are some common and specific elements for each destination. Make sure to bring everything necessary without overloading yourself with unnecessary weight, and adapt your gear to the specific needs of the journey. With a well-organized backpack and an open heart, you will be ready to embark on this journey of faith and discovery.
Before departing, it is important to inform yourself about the specific requirements and regulations of your chosen destination. Remember that a pilgrimage is both a physical and spiritual journey and good preparation can make the difference between a strenuous and an enriching experience. Plan carefully, bring only the essentials, and be prepared to face the journey with the right spirit.
The Jubilee 2025 Events Calendar
The calendar of events for the Jubilee 2025 has been published, twelve months of events and occasions…
Here is a practical guide to best tackle this unique experience and carefully choose what to bring on a pilgrimage.
First of All, the Backpack
The pilgrimage backpack should be light yet spacious, equipped with a waterproof cover to protect the contents in case of bad weather and with space to hold a sleeping bag or sleeping sheet, essential depending on the facilities available along the route.
On the occasion of the upcoming Holy Year and the pilgrimages that will take place, Holyart offers the Pilgrim’s Backpack, an official product of Jubilee 2025, authorized by the Dicastery and equipped with an anti-counterfeit seal to ensure its authenticity and uniqueness. The backpack contains a Pilgrim’s Kit, integrating tradition with the needs of the modern pilgrim, designed to make the pilgrimage a comfortable and spiritually enriching experience.
Jubilee Churches, pilgrimage destinations not to be missed during the Jubilee
Jubilee Churches are those equipped with a Holy Door, through which…
The backpack has a capacity of 28 litres and is made from RPET fabric, a material obtained through recycling processes of common PET, designed to have a low environmental impact. Available only in blue, the backpack is personalized with the colourful Jubilee logo and features a writable tag for personal data. Inside, there is a large main compartment with a zipper closure and foldable design, and a padded divider to store more fragile items like a laptop or tablet.
The Pilgrim’s Backpack also includes a series of accessories that, as we will see, are essential for embarking on a pilgrimage: a charming safari hat to protect yourself from the sun during the journey; an eco-friendly and durable aluminium water bottle to stay hydrated; a useful poncho to protect us in case of sudden rain; and a multifunctional scarf, which can be used as an accessory or to protect against the wind.
Completing the kit are the Jubilee magnet and pin, a silicone bracelet symbolizing belonging and faith, and a precious rosary bracelet to accompany prayers along the pilgrimage. What could be more appropriate than a prayer rosary with a crucifix for a journey that promises to be not only a physical challenge but above all a path of spiritual and inner growth in faith?
Now let’s see what to pack in the pilgrim’s backpack.
Starting with the basics: documents and money. Make sure you have your ID card or passport with you, ensuring they are not expired, as well as the European Health Insurance Card if you are travelling within the EU. It’s wise to make copies of these documents, perhaps storing them in a different pocket—just in case!
Cash and credit/debit cards should be stored in a secure compartment, easily accessible but only by you! Maps of the route you intend to take can also be helpful. Paper maps are always good, but to save space, you can opt for digital ones, like the handy downloadable PDF map of Rome.
Equally important is the Pilgrim’s Credential, which allows access to discounts and special offers at rest and lodging places and on transportation. Make sure to obtain it in advance.
The pilgrim’s credential: how to organize for the Jubilee events
The Pilgrim’s Credential is a precious and indispensable document for anyone wishing to undertake a devotional…
The clothing you bring will vary depending on whether you are travelling in summer or winter. For summer, light and breathable clothing is always recommended, possibly themed, like the beautiful Jubilee T-shirts, short-sleeved or long-sleeved sweatshirts. If you are travelling in winter or in particularly cold areas, choose thermal clothing and dress in layers.
As mentioned in the Pilgrim’s Kit contained in the official Jubilee Backpack, a hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun and a biodegradable K-way or poncho for rain, conveniently packaged in a compact space-saving pouch, are indispensable.
Shoes are one of the most important elements for anyone embarking on a long walk. They should be comfortable and durable for long walks and waterproof. Remember to pack a pair of sandals or slippers to let your feet breathe during rest moments.
Personal hygiene is also crucial when embarking on such a journey, as is staying healthy and in the best condition. Besides the essentials for washing, such as the classic toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and shampoo in travel sizes, and at least a couple of microfiber towels, it’s wise to have a first aid kit with band-aids, disinfectant, and basic medications. This kit should include something for blisters, an effective antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory drugs, and perhaps a natural product that provides immediate relief to tired feet and legs due to the long walks. For example, the menthol cream from the Camaldolese Monks is a massage cream designed for treating tired and strained muscles. Thanks to its unique formulation, combining menthol and natural essences, it relaxes smooth muscles, relieves strains, helps reduce rheumatic pains, promotes muscle relaxation, and tones and refreshes the skin. All these properties make it particularly suitable for athletes and those who, like pilgrims, engage in intense physical activity.
No one goes on a pilgrimage to stay glued to a smartphone, let alone to work on a computer or use a tablet. But technology can help, and staying in touch with those at home is important. So, we minimize electronic devices but make sure to have them with us, charged and functioning. For this purpose, besides a cellphone with its charger and possibly a laptop, it is useful to bring a power bank to ensure you never run out of charge, especially in isolated areas, and a power adapter if travelling to countries with different electrical outlets.
If heading to specific destinations, when deciding what to bring on a pilgrimage, you may need to add certain items to your backpack.
For the Camino de Santiago, given the many elevations, a good walking stick can be useful to help maintain balance and reduce fatigue. For this destination, more than others, the Pilgrim’s Credential is crucial, necessary for accessing hostels and obtaining the Compostela, the certificate of completion, upon arrival.
If departing for a pilgrimage to Lourdes, bring a container to collect water from the miraculous spring known for its healing properties. Additionally, given the many religious ceremonies often held there, it would be appropriate to adopt modest and suitable attire.
For a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a rosary will certainly be useful for prayers during the many celebrations and prayer meetings dedicated to the Madonna, and a good pair of trekking shoes for climbing the hills of the Apparitions and the Cross.
Our Lady of Medjugorje and the most significant places
Our Lady of Medjugorje has rendered an otherwise anonymous village in Bosnia and Herzegovina unique…
For centuries, Black Madonnas have been at the heart of many devotional cults in Italy and beyond. Let’s explore the origins of this particular vision and get to know the Black Madonnas in Italy. When we think of Madonna, if we visualize her in our…
Contents1 Azur loppiano products2 “Sopraculla” to hang on the cradle of the newborn baby3 Nativity scenes for children4 Figurines and guardian angels5 Decorative lights and accessories How to furnish a children’s bedroom with religious items. Not an easy task, but here are some valuable ideas…
World Parents’ Day was established by the United Nations in 2012 with the resolution A/RES/66/292 to celebrate parents from all over the world, of every race, culture and profession of faith, remembering their sacrifices and commitment to cultivating the relationship with their children and to raise them better.
It may seem trivial, almost obvious that parents are the first educators of their children, the future adults of tomorrow’s world.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Whoever educates a child, whoever assumes the responsibility of the adult he will become, has to sustain a very heavy and delicate commitment, for the child himself, but also for the whole community. We are talking about biological parents, but also adoptive parents.
Yet the profound crisis that has swept modern society in recent decades has shaken the importance of the parental figure. After all, on closer inspection, it is the very concept of the family that has entered into crisis, due to a whole series of tensions and centrifugal forces that have increasingly alienated individuals from the real family nucleus. It is the fault if you can say so, of the economic boom, which has led to greater well-being, to the detriment of greater commitment of women in the world of work. As a result, less time to take care of children and less time to do so in the first place.
To this, we add social and thought changes, which have evolved.
The greater emancipation of women, for example, has led to a renewed desire for individual personal affirmation, outside the family to which they belong. The patriarchal family model, with pre-established roles imposed without the possibility of appeal from a generational legacy, is decidedly close to modern women. If a woman wants to get out of a family or sentimental situation that does not satisfy her, or, worse, harms her, she can almost always do so now, or at least she often has the economic tools to be independent.
Then we have to consider the change in male and female roles, which on the one hand has allowed a freer and more spontaneous expression of one’s interiority but has generated a certain confusion in our society that has been based for centuries on traditional patterns. The sexual liberation of the 60s led to a greater interference of pleasure in the context of couple relationships, unravelling a secular condition for which only men were granted certain freedoms.
But children also began to play a different role in relationships. Now relationships within the family are no longer tied to a hierarchy that presupposed blind obedience and due respect. Parents must know how to gain the trust of their children and create a relationship with them made of mutual love and respect, no longer being able to rely solely on the bond of blood.
Marital instability, the lack of trust between spouses, the ease with which men and women throw in the towel, surrendering to the first difficulties and resorting to divorce, rather than fighting to save a marriage that became too uncomfortable too soon, lead to a progressive and inexorable impoverishment of the concept of family.
What about the kids? Nervous, apathetic, demotivated and unable to recognise and appreciate the value of material things, because too often they have been used to buffer the lack of time or ability on the part of parents to face commitments and problems. The existential anguish that once seized adolescents now comes early, too early, and as birds pushed out of the nest early, without a place to return to, without firm points of reference, new men and new women enter the world full of uncertainty and fragility.
But when a child is born, a parent is also born.
I like this phrase, which is very true. Beyond the economic and social changes of our time, although the world is a difficult place to live, devoured by consumerism and superficiality, or dominated by the most desperate need, among the less fortunate people, we like to think that being parents can still mean something fundamental and unique.
This is why World Parents’ Day is celebrated every year, to remember and honour these people who have the future of our world in their hands, and who work every day for all of us. Yes, they work, because being a parent is like a job, often more tiring than many others, and never paid, perhaps because it is really invaluable.
We are talking about someone who has the task and duty to transmit the right values to children, to help them build future models of life respectful of human ethics, nourished by justice, respect, gratitude and love.
This is no small task.
Parents are like the roots of the tree of life, which we talked about in a previous article. Here, in addition to representing since ancient times a symbol of vitality and renewal, the tree of life also expresses a deep, inseparable bond, and, in the context of human relationships, the concept of the family, where parents constitute the solid roots and children the luxuriant branches full of flowers and new fruits. Giving a jewel or an object that recalls the Tree of Life is therefore a gesture of good wishes for any family.
The meaning of the Tree of Life
All religions, since the origins of mankind, are somehow tied to trees. We already explored this subject…
We have said that the role of family and parents has profoundly changed in recent decades. But how has the concept of parents and family evolved in the Bible? What has been God’s plan for Mother and Father from the beginning?
Wanting to dwell on the pairing “Bible parents”, that the concept of family has deep roots we understand it by going to read Genesis, where we find this phrase: “For this reason, a man will leave his mother and father and will join his wife, and the two will be one flesh” (Gen 2:24). This is what happens when a man and a woman get married: they leave their parents’ house to create a family of their own.
But let’s take a step back, to Adam and Eve, our forefathers.
The story of Adam and Eve
Who does not know the story of Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman?…
From the beginning, God founded the development of humanity on the concept of the family. Whether we consider the priestly tradition, according to which man and woman were created at the same time (Gen 1:26-28), or whether we follow the Jahwist tradition, according to which woman was created by a rib of man (Gen 2:18-25), in both cases man and woman were created to complete each other, to be together, to be fruitful and to populate the earth. Something went wrong, as we know. Adam and Eve sinned, and to exonerate themselves before God they accused each other. Not a good start for the first family in history, especially if we think about what happened next to Abel and Cain, their first children! It is as if original sin had corrupted the idea of God, and it will be necessary to wait for Noah and his model family to witness a new possibility granted by the Almighty to man. Noah had a wife and three children, and for this reason, God judged him «just» and saved him from the flood “with the entire family” (Gen 7:1). Indeed, turning to Noah, he again encouraged him and his sons to fill the earth: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Gen 9:1; cf. 1.28).
The family plays a fundamental role in the whole Bible.
Consider Sarah and Abraham, who at first try to overcome the fruitlessness of their marriage by looking outside of it for a son, and then return to trust in God.
Take Jacob, from whose descendants the twelve tribes of Israel were born. An exemplary family? Not, considering what the brothers did to Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, although even this misfortune is part of God’s plan.
Abraham’s lineage until Jesus
The lineage of Abraham, or the genealogy of Jesus, has a fundamental importance in the history of Christianity…
What about King David? A great king, but certainly not an exemplary husband and father…
But in the Bible, there are also examples of families without blemish, dominated by love, fidelity and above all by devotion to their children and their upbringing. In the book of Tobiah, a model of marriage and family life is affirmed in the name of honesty and respect. This is how he and Sarah turn to God asking him to bless their union: “You made Adam and Eve his wife so that she might help and support him. From these two all mankind was born. You said: It is not good for man to be alone; let us help him like him. Now not for lust I take this relative of mine, but with rectitude of intention. Deign to have mercy on me and her and to bring us together in old age». And she said with him, «Amen, amen!»” (Tb 8:6-8)
Or again Tobiah’s exhortation to his son to honour him and his mother, as well as God: “He called his son and said to him: «If I die, give me a decent burial; honour your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life; do what is pleasing to her and do not give her any cause for sadness. Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee when thou was in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave. When he dies, give him a burial with me in the same tomb.” (Tb 4:3-4)
Coming to the New Testament, Jesus continued to carry forward the fundamental values of marriage and the family constituted by the indissoluble union of man and woman, as it was in God’s plan from the beginning. To this is added the elevation of marriage to a sacrament.
It is also evident the importance of the family example provided by the Holy Family, consisting of St. Joseph, Our Lady and the Child Jesus. A family that embodies a daily life made of respect, love and care for children, who must grow up loved and in harmony, facing together with parents’ joys and hardships, worries and expectations, and above all respect for the Law of God.
Over time, this fundamental family model will be united in the sacred texts with the concept of love between Christ and the Church, as the culmination and vindication of God’s plan to which every other human relationship is subjected: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord because this is right… And you, fathers, do not exasperate your children, but raise in the discipline and teachings of the Lord.”(Eph 6:1-4).
Of course, in a discourse on the family and the relationship with parents in the Bible, we cannot ignore the 10 commandments and, in particular, the Fourth: honour your mother and father.
It is the Commandment that opens the second Tablet of the Law, that is, the first of the commandments that deal with charity towards others.
What God imposes on those who want to follow the Way is clear: those who have begotten us must be loved, first of all, because they are closer to us than anyone else. It is useless to love others, distant people, if we cannot love those who are so close to us.
Parents are not only to be loved, but they are also to be ‘honoured’, that is to say, elevated to an even greater depth of love and devotion. This is precisely because of all they have done for us since they gave us life. It is not enough to love them, we must respect them and obey them, not as we obey those we fear, but always out of love.
And of course, the children must take care of them when old or sick, they need it, closing a perfect circle of love willed by God and by the nature of life itself.
Many sentences have been written about the family, about the need to love and respect parents. We have chosen some that we particularly like around the Internet, to celebrate World Parents’ Day in our way.
“Honour your mother and father, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you”. (Exodus 20:12)
The Apostle teaches: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and your mother”: this is the first commandment associated with a promise: “that you may be happy and enjoy a long life on earth” (Eph 6:1-3).
Anyone who attacks his father or his mother shall be surely put to death. (Exodus 21:15)
“Dear parents, help your children to discover the love of Jesus! This will make them strong and courageous”. (Pope Francis to mark World Parents’ Day 2019)
Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother. (Proverbs 1:8-9)
“The most important thing parents can teach their children is how to move forward without them.” (F. A. Clark)
Contents1 The mission of St Augustine of Canterbury2 St Augustine of Canterbury as St Paul3 Saint Augustine of Canterbury evangelizer of England St. Augustine of Canterbury, known as the Apostle of England, is adored as a saint by Catholics and Anglicans. His credited for having…
Contents1 What is the Pilgrim’s Credential2 Pilgrimages and pilgrim passport3 Pilgrim’s Card for Jubilee 2025 The Pilgrim’s Credential is a precious and indispensable document for anyone wishing to undertake a devotional pilgrimage. That’s why it’s essential to obtain it given the Jubilee 2025. With the…
The Seven Churches Tour is a fascinating route of devotion that stretches for about 20 kilometres, touching the seven most significant basilicas in Rome.
The sacred route begins from the majestic Basilica of St. Peter, the heart and symbol of Christianity, and continues along the Tiber River until it intersects with Viale Guglielmo Marconi, where stands St. Paul Outside the Walls, another of the major basilicas, which houses the tomb of St. Paul. From here, it continues along Via delle Sette Chiese to reach the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, in the Ardeatino district, along the Appian Way and then arrives on the Caelian Hill at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, the principal place of worship of its diocese and the oldest and most important basilica in the West. Then you arrive at the Lateran, where stands the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, built starting in the 4th century to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus, in particular part of the Cross, brought to Rome by St. Helena, Mother of Constantine. At the beginning of the extra-urban stretch of the Via Tiburtina, you encounter St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, next to which the municipal cemetery of Verano was built, and the pilgrimage concludes atop the Esquiline, where stands the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the only one to have maintained its original paleochristian structure. After the Jubilee of 2000, the Basilica of St. Sebastian was replaced by a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love.
Saint Peter in the Vatican: Church symbol of the whole Christian world
Saint Peter in the Vatican is a basilica full of meanings, mysteries…
With the opening of the Holy Door on December 24, 2024, the Jubilee of 2025 will begin, which, as tradition dictates, will take place mainly in Rome. The highlights and celebrations will take place mainly in Vatican City and in the papal basilicas of Rome. As in the past, believers will be able to obtain plenary indulgence by crossing the threshold of the four Major Basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, where the Holy Door will be opened, a symbol of welcome and forgiveness; the Basilica of St. John Lateran, considered the cathedral of Rome and the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope; St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica: one of the four papal basilicas of Rome, dedicated to the apostle Paul; Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: one of the oldest and most important Marian churches in the world.
The Jubilee 2025 Events Calendar
The calendar of events for the Jubilee 2025 has been published, twelve months of events and occasions to…
In addition to these, other churches and minor basilicas will likely be involved in the Jubilee route. This could be a splendid opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims along the Seven Churches route and appreciate the wonders of the capital.
Holy Door: what it is and what its opening represents
The opening of the Holy Door marks the beginning of the Jubilee, but it also represents a…
The Seven Churches Tour is a pilgrimage tradition that dates back to the 4th century. On the occasion of the Jubilee, the pilgrimage took on an even more special meaning. In fact, in ancient times, to obtain plenary indulgence on the occasion of the Jubilee, it was necessary to fulfil four fundamental requirements:
The churches had to be visited by Roman residents for 30 days, while for foreign pilgrims the required period was 15 days.
The Seven Churches Tour was completed on the occasion of the Jubilee of 1550 in response to the unrestrained secular celebrations of Carnival. On that occasion, in addition to the four major basilicas already mentioned, the minor basilicas were added: St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, and Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.
It was St. Philip Neri who gave great impetus to this tradition, in response to the unrestrained dissoluteness of the Roman Carnival, and this is one of the reasons why today the Seven Churches Tour is organized to coincide with the feast dedicated to him on May 26 (but is repeated in September). The tour takes place at night and is led by a Father of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
Via delle Sette Chiese takes its name from the pilgrimage practice invented by St. Philip Neri and still connects the Basilica of St. Sebastian on the Appian Way with the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The route wanted by the Saint and shared with the pilgrims of his time also included, in addition to stopping and praying at the seven Jubilee basilicas, a visit to the tombs of the first Christian martyrs. In fact, through the city, one reached the Roman countryside, where the Catacombs were located.
The Via delle Sette Chiese, also known as Via Paradisi, was a route that wound through the countryside outside the city walls. Along this route, one could admire the distant panorama of Rome, surrounded by the majestic Aurelian Walls, and find oneself near the Almone River, which bordered the hills of the Ostiense estates. This rural and suggestive scenery gave the road a particular, almost paradisiacal atmosphere, characterized by the tranquillity of the countryside and the panoramic view of the eternal city.
In the time of St. Philip Neri, the pilgrimage lasted two days and involved various devotional practices related to the number seven, one of the most significant for the Christian faith. Pilgrims recited seven penitential psalms, asking forgiveness for the seven deadly sins. They then gathered to meditate on the seven stages of the Passion of Jesus, the seven effusions of his blood, the seven words spoken by Christ on the cross, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments, and the seven works of mercy.
The Seven Churches Tour is still today an act of traditional devotion practised especially during the Easter Triduum, or Time of Passion, between the evening of Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday, and in this case, the visit also includes a prayer near the Blessed Sacrament preserved on the Altar of Reposition, the designated place for the conservation of the Eucharist from the end of the Messa in Coena Domini on Holy Thursday until the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.
Below are listed the seven Churches touched by the pilgrimage:
Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican – Located in Vatican City, it is the heart of Christianity and one of the most important churches in the world.
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – The Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome, the largest after St. Peter’s in the Vatican. It stands on the Via Ostiense, where, according to tradition, the apostle Paul was buried after his martyrdom.
Basilica of St. John Lateran – It is the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, the Pope, and the oldest and most important of the four papal basilicas of Rome.
Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls – Located outside the city walls, it was built by Constantine near the tomb of the martyr Lawrence.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme – One of the seven churches built by Constantine, it is known for housing the relics of the Passion of Christ.
Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls – Located on the Appian Way, it is dedicated to the Christian martyr St. Sebastian.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – One of the four papal basilicas of Rome, it is one of the oldest Marian churches in the world.
These seven basilicas offer an extraordinary opportunity to explore the rich history and artistic beauty of Rome, as well as representing places of significant spiritual importance for Catholic believers.
Pilgrimage to Rome: Among Christians’ Preferred Destinations
A pilgrimage to Rome has always been one of the most significant spiritual experiences for Christians…
The Basilicas of Rome are traditionally divided between Major Basilicas and Minor Basilicas. The former are:
Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, or Vatican Basilica;
Basilica of St. John Lateran, Cathedral of Rome, or Lateran Archbasilica;
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, or Ostian Basilica;
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, or Liberian Basilica.
Each Major Basilica houses a papal altar and a Holy Door, which is opened on the occasion of the Jubilee, or Holy Year, and by crossing it is possible to obtain a plenary indulgence. The Lateran Basilica also houses the Pope’s cathedra, while the other three basilicas have a papal throne.
With its circular route of about 20 kilometres, the Seven Churches Tour touches the four major papal basilicas and three of the most important Minor Basilicas: the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls (replaced since 2000 by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love).
The Chair of Saint Peter: the meaning of the work and the origins of the feast
What is meant by the Chair of Saint Peter? What is and where…
Saint Matthew the Apostle, the protector of engineers and butchers, was the only apostle not chosen by Jesus, but by the apostles. Let’s get to know him better. St. Matthew, the twelfth apostle is celebrated on 14 May. An atypical apostle, because he was the…
Contents1 Saint James the Greater2 Saint Roch3 Saint Christopher4 Saint Benedict Joseph Labre5 Saint Gertrude of Nivelles6 Saint Bridget of Sweden7 Saint Bona8 Saint Sebaldus Saintly pilgrims are saints for whom the experience of pilgrimage has been so significant that it became the very reason…
In anticipation of the upcoming Jubilee, which will begin in Rome on December 24, 2024, and will last throughout 2025, with a calendar rich in ceremonies and events involving Christians from around the world, it seems useful to recall which and how many are the Jubilee Churches. These are the churches designated as special pilgrimage sites during a Holy Year, where the faithful can obtain jubilee indulgence, namely the remission of sins and the associated temporal penalties.
The Jubilee 2025 Events Calendar
The calendar of events for the Jubilee 2025 has been published, twelve months of events and occasions to deepen faith…
The Jubilee is a time of great grace and fervour for the church. It is an opportunity for the faithful to renew their faith and start anew, and jubilee indulgence is an excellent starting point for Christians to clarify their existence and embark on the path of spiritual growth and improvement. Jubilee Churches, therefore, are an important symbol of the Jubilee because they offer the faithful the opportunity to reconcile with God and the Church and to receive the grace of forgiveness.
But what makes a church a Jubilee Church? Here’s what you need to know to organize a pilgrimage to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee.
Pilgrimage to Rome: Among Christians’ Preferred Destinations
A pilgrimage to Rome has always been one of the most significant spiritual experiences for Christians…
The main Jubilee Churches are the 4 basilicas of Rome:
– St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
– St. John Lateran
– Santa Maria Maggiore
– St. Paul Outside the Walls
These are the so-called Papal Basilicas, namely those churches that hold a prominent place within the Catholic Church and enjoy a particularly high rank and special privileges. Papal Basilicas indeed house a papal altar, where only the Pope or a few other high-ranking priests can celebrate the Eucharist. In addition to the aforementioned Major Basilicas of Rome, the minor Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls is also designated as a Papal Basilica, as it has its papal altar, and there are two others located in Assisi, places of primary importance and pilgrimage destinations from around the world: the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.
Each of the Papal Basilicas has a Holy Door that is opened during the Jubilee. The opening of the Holy Door is a fundamental moment of the Jubilee because it marks its beginning. In particular, the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which for the 2025 Jubilee will take place on December 24, 2024, decrees the beginning of the Holy Year and the time of grace and mercy it represents. The faithful who pass through the Holy Door are invited to convert and receive the grace of forgiveness.
Holy Door: what it is and what its opening represents
The opening of the Holy Door marks the beginning of the Jubilee, but it also represents a spiritually evocative…
The Basilicas of Rome and those of Assisi are not the only Jubilee Churches in the world. The Basilicas of the Holy Land are also counted as such. These include the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
But other churches can be designated by the Pope as Jubilee Churches. It is he who can grant the privilege of a Holy Door to any church in the world. On the occasion of the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, Pope Francis gave individual dioceses, cathedrals, and churches of particular significance, and recognized shrines as pilgrimage sites the faculty to open a Door of Mercy. In practice, each diocese had the opportunity to establish its Holy Doors, thus allowing the faithful to participate in the jubilee pilgrimage and receive indulgence on site, without having to travel to Rome. This made the Jubilee more accessible and meaningful for local communities around the world.
In addition to passing through a Holy Door, another way to celebrate the Jubilee can be to undertake the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, a devotional practice already widespread in Rome in the Middle Ages but which reached its current form in 1550 thanks to the work of St. Philip Neri, who encouraged the practice in response to the excesses of Roman Carnival. Even today it is possible to take this suggestive walk, which takes place at night, with a guide belonging to the Order of St. Philip, and which through a route of over 20 km touches the Seven Churches of Rome (in order):
– St. Peter’s
– St. Paul Outside the Walls
– St. Sebastian Outside the Walls (after the Jubilee of 2000, the basilica of St. Sebastian was replaced by a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love)
– St. John Lateran
– Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
– St. Lawrence Outside the Walls
– Santa Maria Maggiore
The Holy Door is a fundamental symbol of Jubilees in the Catholic Church. Traditionally, it is the door of a Basilica that is opened only on the occasion of the Jubilee. The most famous of these is the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, but as we have seen, each Papal Basilica has one, and the Pope has the power to grant the privilege of a Holy Door to any church in the world. This symbolic act represents an invitation to conversion and divine grace, extending the opportunity to participate in the Jubilee globally.
Saint Peter in the Vatican: Church symbol of the whole Christian world
Saint Peter in the Vatican is a basilica full of meanings, mysteries…
The symbolic significance of the Holy Door is profound and rich in spirituality in the Scriptures. In Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:1-4), we find a reference to the door as a gateway through which the glory of God can enter the house and soul of the individual. This concept emphasizes the idea that through the door, one can access the presence and divine grace.
However, it is in the Gospel of John (John 10, 7) that we find a direct interpretation of the door about Jesus himself. Here, Jesus describes himself as a door, emphasizing that He is the only compulsory passage for those who wish to follow Him. In this context, the Holy Door becomes a symbol of the passage to Christ, who represents redemption from sins and salvation: “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.'”
This image of the Holy Door as a passage to Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ as a means to obtain grace and eternal salvation. Through the Holy Door, the faithful are invited to embark on a journey of conversion and return to God, finding in Christ the way to eternal life.
The Holy Door of St. Peter’s is the first door to be opened, and its opening marks the beginning of the Holy Year. The rite of opening the Holy Door for St. Peter’s Basilica dates back to 1500, with Pope Alexander VI Borgia. In the days leading up to the opening date, the wall sealing the door is dismantled, and a box walled up inside at the end of the previous Jubilee is recovered. It contains the key to open the Holy Door, which, once opened, remains accessible to pilgrims throughout the year.
