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A new year has begun. May it also be an occasion for spiritual renewal? In this article, we see how to rediscover faith with prayer, meditation and the constant improvement of oneself The end of the old year and the beginning of the new year…
Contents1 Who was Saint Sylvester2 The origins of the celebration3 The traditions of Saint Sylvester night New Year’s Eve celebrates the memory of Saint Sylvester, one of the most eminent figures of early Christianity. But there are also many popular traditions related to this very…
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Sunday, 28 November was the first Sunday of Advent: it’s time to light the Advent Wreath candles in church and at home. We have entered that time of the year that most of all for Christians symbolises the eager expectation of the coming of Christ, of the renewal of His miraculous birth, but also the hope for His return, at the end of time. It’s not just about celebrating the approach of Christmas. Advent is more than a Christmas tradition: it is a well-defined liturgical period that, like all liturgical times, requires a particular attitude on the part of those who believe, who must prepare their soul to live in the best way this particular moment of faith and hope.
Let’s briefly see everything that is appropriate to know about Advent and in particular the Advent Crown in church and at home.
The liturgical year: let us clarify
The liturgical times of the Catholic Church are the seasons in which the liturgical year is divided. Let’s explore these together! …
Advent is the period before Christmas, during which Christians await (from the Latin adventus, “waiting”) the birth of Jesus with penance, prayer and faith. Each week of Advent is symbolised by one of the candles that we find in the Advent Crown, a Christmas decoration that cannot be missing in a Christian home. It usually consists of a circle of evergreen branches, which recall the winter season, but also eternal life and the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and four candles, a symbol of salvation and of the light that drives out darkness and sin. The circular shape of the Advent crown refers to eternity, to the unity of the whole. It stems from a tradition of Germanic origin, which dates back to the early nineteenth century.
The liturgical colour of Advent is purple, which recalls penance, fasting and waiting, as well as mourning.
The names of the Sundays of Advent are taken from the first words of the introit, the antiphon that opens the celebration of Mass on the aforementioned Sundays:
The time of Advent lasts four weeks, you are in the Ambrosian rite: it begins with the vespers of the first Sunday, which this year falls on 28 November, and ends with Christmas vespers, on 24 December.
Advent time
Advent has always been one of the most important moments of the year for Catholics all over the world…
Every Sunday of Advent, a candle is lit, until all four are lit on Christmas Eve.
Ideally, the whole family should participate in the lighting of each candle, perhaps accompanying it with a moment of common prayer. Tradition has it that children at home light the candles of the Advent wreath. As for the Advent wreath in church, it is placed in a place that is clearly visible to all the faithful and the priest takes care to involve the entire assembly in the lighting of each candle, explaining its meaning and guiding the faithful in the appropriate common prayer.
Each candle has a particular name and symbolic meaning:
The colour of the Advent candles can always be purple, but white, a symbol of purity and light, and red, the Christmas colour par excellence, which also expresses Jesus’ love for us all, are also accepted.
Usually, Advent candles follow a precise colour scheme:
– first candle (Prophet’s Candle): purple or red;
– second candle (Bethlehem Candle): purple or red;
– third candle (Shepherds’ Candle): pink;
– fourth candle (Angels’ Candle): purple or red.
The Advent candles symbolise Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, the message brought by the Child to the world. They are lit one at a time to express the idea of the light of Jesus becoming stronger and brighter as we approach Christmas.
Advent wreath candles must all be lit on Christmas Eve. They will be consumed slowly and autonomously, accompanying the expectation of the holiday.
Contents1 Where to start a DIY Nativity scene2 What materials to use to make a DIY Nativity scene3 How to make a Nativity scene on multiple levels4 How to build homes5 How to colour the Nativity scene6 How to put rock paper in the Nativity…
Contents1 Novena Christmas: what it is2 History3 What it means From 16 to 24 December, during those nine days that precede Christmas, believers wait for the birth of Jesus. Let’s find out how to prepare with the Christmas Novena nine prayers. The last days before…
At this time of year, the signs of Christmas are getting stronger and stronger. The days shorten, the nights lengthen, the children become more and more enthusiastic and parents begin to ask themselves: what to give for Saint Lucia? In fact, Santa Claus and the Befana are not the only ones able to bring gifts for good children after a magical night.
From the sources that speak of Santa Lucia, it is clear that the Saint was of Sicilian origin, from the area of Syracuse – the city of which she is the patron saint. Although numerous details of her life remain smoky, Saint Lucia is remembered as a virgin martyr of the first centuries after Christ. It is said that he cared for the poorest in the catacombs and used his noble family’s wealth to help the needy. In one of the stories that tradition has given us, the Saint of Light uses her hands in service to others, and places on her head a chaplet with candles, a symbol that we see in some depictions of Lucia.
Put on trial as a Christian under the persecution of Diocletian – denounced perhaps by the promised groom offended by the vow of consecration that the saint had made – Saint Lucia suffered the fate of many martyrs of the time.
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, they deserved beatification. So let’s get to know them better.
The trial and the tortures that the virgin had to face have generated several anecdotes. Tradition has it that the young woman’s body became inexplicably heavy when her executioners tried to move it by force. The flames of the fire that was to burn her did not touch her and the sword – or spear – with which she was pierced through her throat did not prevent her from proclaiming her Faith and receiving Communion. One of the most famous episodes, easily more legendary than real, is the one according to which her eyes were torn out: Lucia, the saint of Light, is therefore considered the protector of the blind.
There is a saying that says “Saint Lucia, the longest night there is”: in the past, it was truer than now, because the day of Santa Lucia, 13 December, before the reform of the Gregorian calendar coincided with the winter solstice.
Saint Lucia is a figure dear to many families and children, especially in northern Italy, where several cities remember her as the Saint who brings gifts and sweets to homes on the night between 12 and 13 December. She left candy and gifts for all the good children on her donkey. She leaves sweet coal for the less good children, or, for those who try to stay awake to see her, she throws ashes in their eyes.
Saint Lucia is also much loved in the countries of northern Europe: in various regions of the Scandinavian peninsula, it is celebrated with processions, processions and songs. In particular, in Sweden, according to tradition, the eldest daughter dresses as Saint Lucia, with a crown of candles, and brings breakfast to her parents.
Contents1 History of Our Lady of Loreto2 Miracles of Our Lady of Loreto3 Why is Our Lady of Loreto black?4 Sanctuary of Loreto: the miraculous “flying” translation Since the Middle Ages, the Basilica of the Holy House has been the heart of devotion to Our Lady…
Contents1 Saint Ambrose: History2 Festival Saint Ambrose in Milan3 Basilica of Saint Ambrose Saint Ambrose is one of the patrons of Milan and is venerated by all Christian Churches. Let’s get to know him better and find out how he became a Bishop (despite himself) and why he…
Summer has just ended, and yet it is already a fond distant memory. The days get shorter, the air swells with humidity and haze, and the cold gets increasingly intense, and pungent, and without even realising it we are one step away from winter. And as every year, the cold again evokes the scents and sensations characteristic of the holidays, that good warmth that pervades our homes, that magical and rarefied atmosphere that seems to make everything more beautiful, and special. Yes, we are approaching Christmas, and soon we will begin to decorate our home to prepare ourselves not only in spirit but also in everyday life, for this precious and unique feast.
How will you prepare this year? What Christmas decorations will you choose for your home? A sacred picture, a special candle, perhaps an Advent garland, with its colourful candles that burn the days that separate us from the celebration of the Nativity spreading a sweet scent of Feast in the air? Or maybe you’ll choose a beautiful Christmas garland, perfect for decorating your home both inside and out. And then the Christmas Tree, the Nativity scene, maybe DIY, the lights…
Christmas wreaths, the perfect decoration for your Christmas
Round, colourful and gorgeous, Christmas wreaths can be a perfect decoration for both indoors and out. How to use them? …
In the blink of an eye, it’s time to set the Christmas table, and even in this case, there’s really something to indulge in. Because when preparing the Christmas table nothing can be left to chance. Every detail, every minute detail, serves to express all the joy we feel in welcoming family, friends, and those we love into our home once again, to celebrate together the magic of Christmas, the wonderful mystery of the Nativity.
Depending on our taste, nature, and possibilities, we can opt for an elegant and sophisticated table, playing on the typical red and gold, or white and silver contrast, or choose a more homely, rustic setting, perhaps with small wooden details, with shabby chic decorations, or reusing old toys from the Christmas tree of our childhood, why not?
But what can’t be missing on the Christmas table?
It is not a question of impressing our guests, but of involving them in an intimate and familiar atmosphere, which smells of memories and the past, of ‘family’ traditions that live on a particular tablecloth, a service of ‘grandmother’s’ dishes, a Christmas centrepiece that emanates aromas of orange and cinnamon. Beyond the choice of the tablecloth, dishes, cutlery, and various dishes, which will vary according to the style we have chosen to give to our Party, the secret of setting up the Christmas table lies precisely in the details, in the centrepiece, in the placeholders. Here are a few tips.
We have already mentioned Christmas garlands hanging on the windows or front door, as perfect Christmas decorations for the home at Christmas. But why not choose to use one as a centrepiece? A beautiful garland, decorated with small pine cones and holly twigs, flakes, berries, shimmering pearls, and the inevitable candles, to warm the atmosphere. An Advent garland could also prove to be the ideal solution for a classic centrepiece. Similar to the garland, it is usually round, composed of intertwined evergreen branches to which are added red berries, Christmas balls, cinnamon sticks and endless trinkets and ornaments. The Advent garland is also already set up to act as a candle holder, with small glass containers and other solutions suitable for all tastes and styles.
We will never tire of remembering how much the candles on the festive table cannot be missing in any case. For Christians, light is a symbol of hope, and candles bring light and warmth on every occasion. Choose a candle holder suitable for your table, or create one yourself, customising it with DIY Christmas compositions with pine cones, berries, and bows. It will become the beating heart of your Party.
Christmas placeholders are also elements that can make the party table really special. Christmas is not just any day, and the people who will sit with us around the table are among our closest relatives and friends. So it is right that each of them feels important, that they recognise as part of something beautiful and precious that also needs their presence to be perfect. There are many ready-made Christmas placeholders on the market, suitable for every table and every home, but with a little inventiveness, you can find personalised and much cheaper solutions. A small olive wood angel from the Holy Land, made on-site by local artisans, or a small shaped wooden Christmas decoration representing the Holy Family and the Child Jesus may prove to be a pretty and very effective Christmas placeholder, as well as not representing an excessive expense. Sometimes it is just simplicity that is the winning key to setting up the Christmas table, and reusing a DIY Christmas decoration, or purchasing, perhaps in wood, as a DIY Christmas placeholder can make your table truly unique.
Another original idea concerns Christmas coasters. There are all kinds and materials, from rubber to cork, from paper to crochet, from leather to felt, but a slightly different choice could be that of candle saucers to use as a coaster, perhaps choosing golden ones, to match the Christmas table and adapt to the climate of the party. Alternatively, you can also indulge yourself with DIY and with the recycling of waste materials, to obtain truly original and unique Christmas coasters.
The base cover for the Christmas Tree is an extra stylish detail to make your holiday home even more beautiful and original Base covers for Christmas trees Well, yes, this is also part of the endless solutions to decorate our Tree on the occasion of…
What is the nativity scene’s history? Where does this tradition that we experience every year come from? Here is the story of the first nativity scene, the Nativity Scene of Greccio requested by St. Francis. This year, as every year, a Christian symbol linked to…
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Why is the Neapolitan Nativity scene so fascinating? Every year millions of visitors want to immerse themselves in the perennial Christmas atmosphere of the Via dei Presepi (Via San Gregorio Armeno) in Naples to admire the creations of Neapolitan artists. Many factors contribute to the appeal of the Neapolitan Nativity scene: the traditional techniques handed down through the centuries, the authentic craftsmanship of the creations, and the deep meaning of the Nativity scene as a Christian symbol of Christmas and family.
The artisans who produce the Neapolitan Nativity statues-all called shepherds-are dedicated to preserving this treasure of Italian tradition. The workmanship of the statues and the production process have remained virtually unchanged throughout the centuries. Manual labor and experience are the protagonists of each stage of the workmanship.
At Holyart you will find a wide variety of Neapolitan Nativity shepherds, from the traditional style to the Arab-Palestinian style and the famous and popular 700 style.
The Neapolitan Nativity shepherds you find on Holyart are made following certain steps that respect the nativity tradition of Naples. The materials used are mainly terracotta and cloth; for the larger statues only the head, arms and legs are made of terracotta while the body is made of tow. The creation process involves several steps: casting, finishing, drying and firing, painting, making the glass eyes and assembling (for the larger statues), dressing, adding objects and gifts. Let’s look at each step in detail.
First, the powdered clay is diluted with water and mixed in the mill to achieve the ideal density to avoid lumps or imperfections in the statues. It is then poured inside the plaster mold. The molds are durable but, due to wear and tear caused by use, are changed after about twenty pieces are made. The clay is left inside the mold for about 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the shepherd. If the clay has been diluted to the right degree, the statue will come out of the mold smooth and more easily worked.
Once taken out of the mold, the statue is allowed to rest for one day. The day after casting, it is finished by hand to remove any scraps and make the details more precise.
The shepherd is then left to dry naturally until the clay becomes clear and ready for the next step of firing. The statues are fired in the kiln for another full day. Once out of the kiln, they are ready to pass into the hands of those who do the painting.
Each piece is hand-painted with color fields and details. Artisans use brushes to spread the color on the terracotta statues. Next comes aging, a secret process that makes the colors more expressive and gives characteristic hues. After that, the pieces are cleaned and polished.
In the larger statues, the eyes are not painted but made of glass. They are made from small glass spheres cut into four parts and painted inside to recreate the effect of the black pupil on the colored iris; these are inserted into the orbital cavities of the pastor’s head. The eyelids and the surrounding facial area are reconstructed by hand. This workmanship is typical of 18th-century Neapolitan statues and requires skill and experience.
Larger statues are assembled: head, arms, and legs are attached to the previously made body of tow and molded into the appropriate position for the character.
During the dressing, the specific character of the made statue emerges. The clothes are made from fabrics treated with vinyl glue and water, modeled on the shepherds’ bodies by hand. Once the glue dries, which remains transparent, the clothes retain the position in which they were modeled. Each statue is dressed according to the character it is meant to represent. The cloth is shaped around the arms, legs, and shoulders, and the folds create the realistic effect typical of the Neapolitan Nativity scene.
Fabrics are sourced in different places and at different times, the availability of fabrics of a certain color or pattern changes: this is also why each statue is a unique and unrepeatable object.
For the 700-style statues, on the other hand, the clothes are sewn directly onto the body of the pastor.
Some shepherds are then complemented with gifts, that is, all the external attributes that characterize the character: faggots, animals, pitchers, bread baskets, and sacks made in miniature and applied by hand. Among the characters of the Neapolitan Nativity are traditionally recurring figures-such as Benino, the sleeping shepherd, or the various vendors-and more folkloric figures.
After this last step, the shepherd is complete and ready to inhabit the enthusiasts’ nativity scene.
The Advent Calendar is one of the most representative traditions of Christmas. This is how it was born and how it is carried forward today The Advent Calendar was born alongside the Nativity scene, as a tool to make everyone understand the spirit of waiting…
Contents1 The history of miniature Christmas villages2 Building a miniature Christmas village3 Type of village4 The heart of the village5 The base and background Miniature Christmas Villages are an original and novel way of bringing the atmosphere of the Festival into our homes. Let’s find…
The first decade of November has always been characterised by a bizarre climatic phenomenon, the so-called summer of Saint Martin. It often happens that in the days immediately before and after 11 November, Saint Martin’s Day, the climate returns to being suddenly mild, only to worsen immediately afterwards. The legend of Saint Martin picturesquely narrates the reason for this last heartbeat of summer before the beginning of winter.
Martin of Tours was born in present-day Hungary, in the fourth century AD. Before becoming a bishop and later being proclaimed a Saint, Martin was a Roman soldier and served in the imperial guard. The legend of Saint Martin tells how one evening, during one of the surveillance rounds he was required to perform, Martin met a cold beggar, covered only by a few rags. The night was really cold, the sky was dripping with rain, and the soldier was pitied by that wretch who was trembling and who would surely die before dawn. So, without hesitation, he took off the white cloak that symbolised his belonging to the imperial guard, and with the sword he cut it in half, handing part of it to the poor man. At that moment the rain stopped, the clouds opened, and an unnatural warmth spread all around as if heaven had rejoiced for the piety and generosity of that young soldier.
Giving alms: is it charity?
Almsgiving to the poor is a manifestation of mercy strictly connected to the duties of a good Christian…
A variant of the legend of Saint Martin states that, after meeting the beggar, the saint had met another man in even more miserable conditions and had given him the remaining part of his cloak, adapting to sleep in the cold. That night in a dream Jesus would appear to him who would thank him for having clothed him and saved him from the frost of the night.
In whatever way it is told, the legend of Saint Martin shows us an example of great altruism, generosity and mercy. After this surprising meeting, Martin wanted to be baptised and left military life. A prominent figure in Western medieval religious history, but also venerated by the Orthodox and Coptic churches, he was one of the founders of monasticism in the West, fought against Arian heresy and paganism, became Bishop of Tours and was renowned as a thaumaturge and great pastor of souls.
Beyond the religious value of the history of Saint Martin, its festival has always coincided with popular peasant traditions and folk customs related to autumn and the changing of the seasons. Since ancient times, in the summer days of Saint Martin, the barrels were opened to taste the new wine, the roasts were harvested and cooked, and pumpkin products were consumed. In many Italian villages and towns, these traditions have been maintained even today, in the form of picturesque fairs. Even in the rest of Europe, the summer of Saint Martin is celebrated with characteristic festivals and customs. Many typical desserts prepared for the feast of Saint Martin, from the Venetian Dolce di San Martino, made of shortcrust pastry that is given the shape of the saint on horseback with sword and cloak, decorated with coloured sugar icing, candies and chocolates; to the Sicilian Saint Martin biscuits, flavoured with anise seeds and to be soaked in wine; to the sphinxes of Saint Martin, sweet pancakes always dear to the Sicilian tradition.
In certain areas of the Po Valley “Doing a Saint Martin” is still synonymous with “moving”. In fact, on the days that coincide with the summer of Saint Martin, the sharecroppers who worked in the large agricultural funds had finished their work. The fields were sown and, unless the owner renewed their contract, the farmers had to leave the farm and look for work elsewhere. So they took advantage of the mild climate of the summer of Saint Martin to leave, taking their belongings and family with them, to move to another farm.
The lanterns of Saint Martin are a symbol of good luck and bring some of the warmth and light of summer in the cold winter. Let’s find out how this fascinating tradition was born. We have already spoken in many articles of how the feasts…
Here is a prayer for the sick to turn to Jesus or Our Lady to obtain relief for us and our loved ones Illness is a state of suffering that involves all human beings to varying degrees and at different times in their lives. The…
The Church traces the anointing of the sick back to Jesus, to His deep love for the sick and suffering, on whom He laid His hands invoking miraculous healing. Once He died and rose again, Christ invested His disciples with the same duty, combined with that of preaching: “They departed and preached that people should be converted, cast out many demons, anointed with oil many sick people and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13)
This is precisely what we mean by anointing the sick: a special blessing given to a seriously ill person with consecrated oil and prayer. We read the directions about this in a letter from James: “Whoever is sick, let him call the presbyters of the Church to him, and let them pray over him after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And prayer made in faith will save the sick person: the Lord will lift him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (Jas. 5:14-15)”
The Anointing of the Sick is a communal celebration deeply linked to the liturgy. It can take place in the home, hospital or church, and it is appropriate to be celebrated during the Eucharist and preceded by the Sacrament of Penance, by which Christians ask forgiveness for their sins.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance are also called “sacraments of healing” and are intended to alleviate the believer’s physical and spiritual suffering.
But it is not only what we all know as Extreme Unction, although until the 20th century and the Liturgical Reformation it was mainly administered at the point of death. This particular sacrament, a gift of the Holy Spirit for the suffering, can also be administered several times in the course of the same illness, especially if a worsening intervenes, or before dangerous surgery.
Already in the Old Testament, illness could prove to be for the righteous man a path of penance and conversion, to be experienced before God. One would turn to Him, invoking healing and relief. Sickness is experienced as something in relation to sin and evil, and enduring its suffering has a redemptive function.
In this vision the advent of Christ, merciful to the sick and bearing the power of healing symbolizes the fact that the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus heals the sick and frees sinners from their burdens. Not only that, He shows even greater love for these categories of individuals than He shows to other men, as if suffering and sin made them even more deserving of attention and care in His eyes. Likewise, His teaching is clear: caring for the sick and relieving their pain is a definite duty of every Christian. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, imprisoned and you came to visit me” (Mt 25:35-36).
It happens that in certain circumstances it is decided to give the rite of anointing of the sick during Mass, such as on the occasion of the Day of the Sick on February 11. In such cases, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is administered to several sick people during the Eucharistic celebration, and the event is sometimes accompanied by a procession or visitation by the bishop.
The Anointing of the Sick is only one of the holy anointings that mark the life of a Christian. Before it there is the Sacrament of Baptism, in which the oil of the catechumens is used to draw a cross on the chest and another between the shoulder blades of the baptized person to invest him or her with the power of Christ and infuse him or her with new life; the chrism of Confirmation, or Confirmation, confirms and strengthens us in our lives as Christians. The chrism, oil of the catechumens and oil of the sick are consecrated in each diocese on Maundy Thursday each year by the bishop and then distributed to the various parishes.
Viaticum is the last sacrament in a Christian’s life. It is in fact the last Communion, the Eucharist reserved for the sick and dying, together with the Anointing of the Sick. The Viaticum is the spiritual food with which the Christian can prepare to face the journey of transit to the next life and holds within it the seed of eternal life and the hope of resurrection.
