The Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta live daily the legacy of love and compassion promoted by their foundress, Mother Teresa of Calcutta. All over the world, they alleviate the suffering of the less fortunate.

The Missionaries of Charity are the living legacy left by Mother Teresa of Calcutta to the world. Commonly known as the Sisters of Charity, they are a religious order founded in 1950. These sisters, devoted to the service of the neediest, have had a significant impact on the society that the Saint, a symbol of charity, sought to improve, spreading her message of love, compassion and care throughout the world.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta after her canonisation in 2016, was a charismatic and selfless figure who dedicated her life to helping the poor, the sick, orphans, and the dying in the streets of Calcutta, India. Her inspiration and devotion to the cause of charity attracted numerous young women who decided to join the Missionaries of Charity to follow her example. The order of the Missionaries of Charity grew rapidly, spreading to different parts of the world, including Rome, where one of the mother houses of the order was founded.
Among the sisters of the order, there are also the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, a sub-branch of the Missionaries of Charity. These sisters are particularly dedicated to assisting the poor and accompanying terminally ill patients towards death, offering comfort and support during those difficult moments.

Buy Now:

Saint Theresa of Calcutta Statue wood painted Val Gardena

Saint Theresa of Calcutta Statue wood painted Val Gardena. The statue produced in Val Gardena,Italy …

Despite Mother Teresa’s passing in 1997, her spirit and mission continue to live on through the Missionaries of Charity, who carry forward her precious work and inspire people all over the world to be selfless and generous towards the most vulnerable in society. The sisters of this order have shown by their example that the true meaning of love and compassion lies in serving others and dedicating oneself to works of mercy. Their influence and commitment are a testimony to the importance of placing the well-being of others at the centre of our existence. It is no coincidence that, in addition to observing the three vows common to all religious (poverty, obedience, and chastity), the Missionaries of Charity take a fourth special vow, an act of even deeper dedication: to offer themselves for the service of the poorest of the poor.

The History of the Missionaries of Charity

The founder of the Missionaries of Charity was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born Anjeza Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 and passed away in 1997. Of Albanian origin, she initially joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a religious, she chose the name Teresa in honour of the Carmelite nun Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
In 1929, she was sent to India, where she began her career as a teacher. There, Mother Teresa was deeply struck by the atrocious living conditions and poverty endured by the people of Calcutta. With the Holy See’s approval, on 18 August 1948, she decided to leave her congregation and found a new one, the Missionaries of Charity, with the aim of dedicating herself entirely to the assistance and care of the most needy. On 19 March 1949, the first companion joined her on this path of dedication to the service of others.

On 7 October 1950, the Archbishop of Calcutta officially established the Missionaries of Charity as a religious congregation of diocesan right, recognising their commitment and mission. Later, on 1 February 1965, they also received pontifical approval, thus gaining global recognition.
The commitment of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity to helping the poor, the sick, orphans, and the dying attracted worldwide attention. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her extraordinary contribution to humanity.

The beatification of Mother Teresa took place on 19 October 2003, when Pope John Paul II declared her blessed during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Rome. Finally, Pope Francis canonised Mother Teresa on 4 September 2016, officially recognising her sainthood and the importance of her work in caring for the most needy and inspiring generations of volunteers and devotees to follow her noble example.

Buy Now:

Mother Teresa ring in bronze – ITALIAN

Beautiful bronze ring with an Italian mother Teresa’s prayer on it: “It doesn’t matter how much we give…

The Attire of the Missionaries of Charity

The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity are distinguished by their modest and distinctive attire, wearing a white sari with blue borders and a cross at the centre. This uniform reflects their humility and commitment to living in spiritual and material poverty, following the example of Mother Teresa.
The traditional Indian dress was deliberately chosen by Mother Teresa to identify with the Indian people and be accepted into the local culture. The choice of the sari is also a way of sharing in the same condition of poverty and humility as those they serve. On their shoulders, the sisters wear a cross, symbolising their commitment to following Jesus Christ and bringing his love and compassion to the world.
The habit of the Missionaries of Charity is a tangible sign of their vow of poverty and their dedication to living a simple life, without owning material goods, but enriched by deep love and generous service to the most vulnerable in society.

Buy Now:

Nuns’ clothing

In this section you will find clothing for nuns and women’s religious garments…

The Missionaries of Charity Around the World

Today, there are around 6,000 Missionaries of Charity, present in over 130 countries. The sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s order run orphanages, homes for the terminally ill, dispensaries, schools, and shelters for the homeless. Their presence has been particularly significant in some of the poorest and most disadvantaged regions of the world, bringing hope and aid to those who need it most.

Buy Now:

Mother Teresa of Calcutta printed on canvas 40×30 cm

Mother Teresa of Calcutta printed on canvas 40×30 cm. This traditional image from Fratelli Bonella’s …

In Italy, 129 Missionaries of Charity operate in 18 communities, 5 of which are in Rome, where the main headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity is located opposite the Circus Maximus. In this location, postulants—young women in formation aspiring to become sisters of the congregation—are hosted. Additionally, in the same area, the central office for the postulation of the canonisation cause of Mother Teresa of Calcutta is situated.
However, the presence of the Missionaries of Charity in Rome is not limited to the training of new sisters and the canonisation processes. Just a few metres from the central house, the sisters run a shelter for over 60 homeless men. This place offers refuge, food, and assistance to those living in extreme poverty and hardship.
Moreover, the sisters are involved in a vital service of supporting needy families. Twice a week, they distribute clothing and food supplies to families in difficulty. In addition to on-site distribution, the sisters also visit families in their homes, bringing help and comfort.

Since 1983, the Missionaries of Charity have extended their work to Milan, in the Baggio district, where every evening they serve a hot meal to the poor, both Italians and foreigners, and offer shelter and support to single women with their children.
In 1993, the sisters also reached the city of Bologna, welcoming mothers and children, former prostitutes, and immigrant women, providing them with meals and clothing.
In Reggio Calabria, there is the Dono di Pace house, a reception centre run by the Missionaries of Charity. The sisters have also expanded to other Italian cities, such as Genoa, Turin, Naples and Florence, demonstrating everywhere their closeness to the most disadvantaged communities.

The Apostolic Penitentiary has published the Norms for obtaining indulgences during the 2025 Jubilee. Pilgrimages, penance, works of charity, to fully live the Jubilee spirit

If we think of the 2025 Jubilee, one of the first aspects that comes to mind is that of indulgences. If it is true that it is always possible to obtain ordinary indulgences, to the point that there is the Manual of Indulgences, which contains the rules and concessions to be made, as well as the prayers to be recited to obtain the indulgence, on the occasion of the Jubilee the Jubilee indulgence, or plenary indulgence, is granted.

But let’s take a small step back and remember what the Jubilee is and what is meant by a plenary indulgence? The  Jubilee, or Holy Year, is a special event of the Catholic Church that is celebrated every 25 years, characterised by prayer, penance and indulgence. It is a time of spiritual renewal and reconciliation, during which the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence through confession, communion, and works of mercy. Plenary indulgence is a special grace granted by the Catholic Church during the Holy Year: the faithful can receive the complete remission of the temporal punishment due to sins already confessed and forgiven.

When is the plenary indulgence given? It is obtained through acts of devotion, such as pilgrimages to designated sacred places, prayers, as well as confession, participation in the Eucharist and the practice of works of mercy. During the Jubilee, this indulgence is granted in a special way to promote conversion and spiritual renewal, because it highlights God’s mercy and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation for all the faithful.
The 2025 Jubilee Proclamation Bull, with the evocative title Spes non confundit (Hope does not disappoint), was published on 9 May 2024. In addition to the guidelines and spiritual intentions of Pope Francis given the Holy Year, it also anticipates the Norms for the granting of indulgences during the ordinary Jubilee of the year 2025. These norms were published in more depth a few days later by the major penitentiary Cardinal Angelo De Donatis and by the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel.

The rules on indulgences indicate pilgrimages as the preferred way to obtain forgiveness, but not only.

The Apostolic Penitentiary

The Apostolic Penitentiary is the oldest dicastery of the Roman Curia, primarily responsible for granting and managing indulgences and resolving issues of ecclesiastical criminal law related to grave sins. It is an essential institution for the sacramental and penitential life of the Church. In practice, it is the supreme tribunal of the Catholic Church.
Among other things, it establishes the norms and conditions for obtaining indulgences, particularly relevant during the Holy Years and other special occasions, but it also deals with complex cases of penance, including severe and controversial sins, offering assistance to the faithful to obtain the remission of spiritual penalties, and coordinates the granting of special faculties for confessors, such as the ability to absolve sins reserved to the Pope.

Given the Holy Year 2025, the Apostolic Penitentiary has published the Norms for the Indulgence to encourage the faithful to seek this grace through specific penitential practices.
The truly repentant faithful, animated by the spirit of charity, who will confess and participate in Holy Communion, can obtain the indulgence by praying according to the Pope’s intentions. In addition, the indulgence can be applied in suffrage of the souls in Purgatory.
The Norms indicate that the indulgence can be obtained by making a pilgrimage, or through penance, which includes abstaining for at least one day from futile distractions and unnecessary consumption, with works of charity, supporting religious or social works, and dedicating time to volunteering. These acts of penance are considered essential to living the spirit of the Jubilee.

When a plenary indulgence is given

Pilgrimage and mass destination on site

The Rules for obtaining indulgences during the 2025 Jubilee indicate Rome as a pilgrimage destination, which has long been one of the preferred pilgrimage destinations for Christians. In particular, those who will go to Rome cannot help but visit the Jubilee Churches, that is, those churches equipped with a Holy Door, which, when crossed, allows you to obtain a plenary indulgence from all sins and the temporal penalties associated with them. The four Papal Basilicas of Rome, known as the Major Basilicas, are among the main pilgrimage destinations for the Catholic faithful, especially during special events such as the Holy Years. These are: St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Basilica of St. John Lateran (Cathedral of Rome), the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the past, to obtain a plenary indulgence, four basic requirements were necessary: being present in Rome, going to confession, visiting the main basilicas of the city, and praying for one’s own spiritual health and that of all Christians. The Tour of the Seven Churches is also a pilgrimage tradition that dates back to the fourth century, and which acquires a particular meaning during the Jubilee.

Other places of pilgrimage that guarantee to obtain the plenary indulgence are the Holy Land, with its basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, that of the Nativity in Bethlehem and of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the two minor Papal Basilicas of Assisi, Loreto, where the house of Our Lady is kept, Pompeii, with its Shrine dedicated to Our Lady. By going to these places and attending Mass, or reciting the Rosary, or even taking part in the Way of the Cross, it is possible to aspire to the indulgences of the Jubilee.

Wherever you decide to go on pilgrimage, to “any prestigious collegiate church or sanctuary designated by the diocesan or eparchial bishops”, as established by the Episcopal Conferences, remember to carry everything you need in your backpack!

Buy Now:

Pilgrim’s backpack complete Jubilee 2025 kit

Pilgrim backpack complete kit Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope.The Pilgrim’s Kit, designed to enrich and facilitate…

Works of mercy and penance

And for those who cannot move? Those who cannot move for serious reasons, such as cloistered nuns, the sick, or prisoners, can obtain the indulgence by reciting prayers and offering their suffering in suffrage for the souls in Purgatory, which is another way of granting the indulgence. In fact, indulgence is closely linked to the concept of mercy. To obtain the indulgence, in addition to pilgrimages and prayers, it is therefore possible to perform works of mercy and do penance. These acts, both spiritual and corporal, allow us to concretely express our love for our neighbour and our desire for conversion. Bodily works of mercy include actions such as feeding the hungry, dressing the poor, and visiting the sick, while spiritual works include comforting the afflicted, teaching those in error, and praying for the living and the dead. Together with confession, participation in the Eucharist and prayer according to the Pope’s intentions, these works make it possible to obtain an indulgence and represent an opportunity for purification and spiritual growth.

Penitence on Friday

Again, according to the Norms, it will be possible to obtain the indulgence through penance on Fridays. The faithful are invited to rediscover the spiritual value of this day. Penance can be practised by refraining from distractions, both real and virtual, such as excessive use of media and social networks, or by renouncing unnecessary consumption. In addition, one can observe fasting according to the indications of the Church, and give the savings in money to the poor or to works of a religious and social nature. These acts of sacrifice and generosity, performed in a spirit of penance, help the faithful to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence.

Abstinence from real and virtual distractions

Abstinence from real and virtual distractions, not only on Fridays but also on any other day, can be an additional tool for pursuing Jubilee indulgences. Reduce or avoid the use of social networks, television, and other forms of digital entertainment that can divert attention away from spiritual reflection and personal improvement. Also, avoid unnecessary purchases and excessive expenses to focus more on spiritual and charitable needs. These acts of renunciation must be accompanied by sincere reflection and concrete acts of charity, such as donations to people experiencing poverty or support for social and religious projects, to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence.

Voluntary service

To obtain the indulgence through volunteer activities, the faithful must engage in actions of service and help towards others, concretely manifesting Christian love and charity, offering time and support to people in need, such as the elderly alone, the sick, immigrants or families in difficulty, participating in initiatives and programs that help promote the common good, such as shelters for the homeless, soup kitchens for the poor, or assistance centres for children and young people, collaborating with local voluntary associations, parishes or other organisations that work for the good of the community. This type of service must be carried out with a generous heart and an authentic spirit of charity, in line with the principles of the Holy Year. The indulgence is obtained not only for the time dedicated, but also for the intention of alleviating suffering and promoting good.

On 9 May 2024, Pope Francis read the Jubilee Proclamation Bull 2025 entitled Spes non confundit. Here is what it contains and what topics it focuses on

The Jubilee 2025 is drawing closer, and we are preparing for it. Have you already seen the Jubilee Calendar, with all the unmissable events that will take place in Rome and around the world? Have you organised a pilgrimage, perhaps the famous Tour of the Seven Churches? Or are you simply preparing with the special Jubilee Prayer? Today, we learn more about the Jubilee Proclamation Bull, the document with which Pope Francis officially opened the 2025 Jubilee. The Jubilee was announced by the Holy Father with the reading of the Pontifical Bull entitled Spes non confundit, on 9 May 2024, during a solemn delivery ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The title of the Bull means “Hope does not disappoint,” and the document sets out the guidelines and spiritual intentions for the Holy Year 2025, calling the faithful around the world to live a period of renewal and reconciliation.

But what is the Jubilee Proclamation Bull?
More generally, the Papal Bull is an official document of the Pope, issued in written form by the Roman Curia and characterised by the seal of the Pontiff. Precisely from the metallic seal, the bulla, derives the name of the entire document.
The Proclamation Bull is the official document issued by the Pope to announce and sanction the beginning of a Jubilee. The Bull contains detailed information on the methods, objectives and conditions for fully experiencing the Jubilee period and for obtaining indulgences during the Jubilee. The first official Jubilee was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 with the Proclamation Bull Antiquorum habet. Since then, each ordinary Jubilee, which is celebrated every 25 years, and the extraordinary ones are announced with a Bull. This document not only communicates the start and end date of the Jubilee, but also invites the faithful to penance, prayer and charity. The Papal Bull is identified by its opening words.

The times of the Jubilee

The Ordinary Jubilee of 2025 will begin on 24 December 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The other Holy Doors, located in San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura, will be opened in the following weeks and closed by December 28, 2025.
On 29 December 2024, in all cathedrals and co-cathedrals, the diocesan Bishops will celebrate the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year. The pilgrimage from a church to the cathedral will represent the path of hope for believers and allow them to enjoy the Jubilee Indulgence.
The Ordinary Jubilee will end with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on 6 January 2026, the Epiphany of the Lord. The Church, with this Jubilee, hopes to spread the light of Christian hope and witness the love of God throughout the world. The new Jubilee will offer the living experience of God’s love, the sure hope of salvation in Christ. This Holy Year marks the path towards 2033, when the two thousand years of Christ’s Redemption will be celebrated.

Hope does not disappoint

“Hope then does not disappoint, for the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5)

With these words, the Apostle Paul gives courage to the Christian community of Rome, and hope becomes the central message of the upcoming Jubilee, as stated in the slogan written under the official logo: Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis wanted to address all the pilgrims who will participate in the 2025 Jubilee, not just those who will arrive in Rome, but also all those who will celebrate the Holy Year in their local Churches and especially in their hearts. This is because everyone hopes, hope is a universal feeling that resides in the heart of every person as a desire and expectation of the good, despite the uncertainty of the future. Many face the future with scepticism and pessimism, as if nothing could offer them happiness. Thus, the Jubilee Proclamation Bull already contains the fundamental message of this Holy Year, which is about to come —a message of hope, an invitation to find in faith the confidence and optimism necessary to face the future.

The image of the anchor used in the 2025 Jubilee Logo represents the stability and security of Christian hope. The next Jubilee will be a Holy Year characterised by hope in God, expressed with trust in the Church and society. The believing witness must be a leaven of hope in the world, waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The dead and risen Jesus is the core of Christian faith and hope. Saint Paul describes this concept in a few words: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose again, and appeared to the disciples. This event offers the certainty of life’s transformation through Christ.
Christian martyrs of all ages bear witness to hope through their sacrifice. They represent the ecumenical unity of blood, and their example inspires believers to keep hope alive.
God’s judgment, based on love and mercy, should not instil fear, but hope. This judgment aims at the salvation and purification necessary for the definitive encounter with God. Prayer for the dead and the Jubilee Indulgence are expressions of this hope of mercy.
Mary, Mother of God, is the highest example of hope. Even in moments of suffering, such as at the foot of the cross, she maintained trust in God. Marian shrines around the world remain places of welcome and a source of hope for pilgrims.

Justified by faith and at peace with God

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. […] Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-2.5).

Thus, Saint Paul continues his Letter to the Christians of Rome, to whom he addresses for the first time, after having carried out his work of evangelisation in the East. The Letter to the Romans represents a valid universal message of hope, Paul’s hope to bring the Gospel to Rome and the hope of every Christian based on the love of God that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and that for this reason never disappoints, but remains a sure guide for all the faithful in their journey of faith. All of us, as followers of Christ, are justified and at peace with God, and this state of grace allows us to be steadfast in hope. Christian hope is rooted in faith in eternal life. In the risen Christ, human history does not end in a blind spot, but is oriented towards the encounter with the Lord. The dead and risen Jesus is the core of Christian faith and hope. Saint Paul describes this concept in a few words: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose again, and appeared to the disciples. This event offers the certainty of life transformation through Christ.

The importance of the Holy Spirit

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved through his life” (Romans 5:10). The life of every Christian is linked to Christ from Baptism, which enshrines the principle of his life of faith. It is the action of the Holy Spirit that renews and makes unwavering the hope in salvation that Jesus represents. The Holy Spirit keeps this inexhaustible flame burning, giving us strength and courage at every moment of our lives, keeping alive in us the Christian awareness and hope that nothing and no one can ever separate us from divine love, not even the worst tribulations. Thanks to this hope that does not fade in the face of difficulties and is constantly nourished by faith and charity, the Christian continues to make the three theological virtues – Faith, Hope and Charity, in fact –  the engine of his existence. The apostle Paul invites us to be “glad in hope, constant in tribulation, persevering in prayer” to witness faith and love credibly.

Patience and a return to Nature

“We also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience a proven virtue, and virtue a proven hope” (Romans 5:3-4)

Saint Paul recognises that life reserves both joys and sorrows, that love is put to the test in difficulties, and that suffering demolishes hope. However, he reminds the Christians of Rome that precisely in the face of tribulations, the Christian can resort to a powerful weapon: patience. Patience is a rare virtue, especially in the modern world, where everything seems to move too quickly. Where more and more often haste and frenetic rhythms cause impatience, nervousness and dissatisfaction, but precisely by cultivating it, and rediscovering the deep connection with nature, with its rhythms and the alternation of the seasons, we can find peace. Pope Francis in the Bull of Proclamation also mentions Saint Francis, who in his Canticle of Creatures invoked a brotherhood among all creatures of creation.

Saint Paul emphasises the importance of patience to highlight perseverance and trust in God’s promises. God himself is patient with us, as “the God of perseverance and consolation” (Romans 15:5). Patience, a gift of the Holy Spirit, keeps hope alive and consolidates it as a virtue and lifestyle.
Pope Francis invites us to learn to ask often for the grace of patience, which is born of hope and sustains it. Rediscovering patience is beneficial for both ourselves and others, enabling us to live with greater serenity and trust in God’s promises.

The Jubilee as a Christian journey: the importance of pilgrimage

Saint Paul emphasises the importance of hope and patience in the Christian journey. Life is a journey that requires intense moments to nourish hope, an indispensable companion on the path to encountering Jesus. In this perspective, pilgrimage is also reaffirmed as central to the Jubilee events, a symbol of the search for life’s meaning. The path favours the rediscovery of silence, fatigue and essentiality. Pilgrims of hope will travel ancient and modern paths to experience the Jubilee, visiting faith-based itineraries in Rome and beyond, crossing borders and discovering different cultures. In particular, the Jubilee churches in Rome will open during the Jubilee as an oasis of spirituality, where pilgrims can find rest for their souls and approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the starting point for a real journey of conversion. The preparation of priests and the faithful for Confession will be given particular attention.

Signs of Hope

But finding hope within yourself isn’t enough. The Church is called to interpret the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel, recognising the good present in the world and transforming these signs into signs of hope. The Jubilee is an opportunity for everyone to be tangible signs of hope, responding with love and concreteness to the needs of the most vulnerable and building a better future for all. But what are these signs? There are many different things, because the world in which we live is not easy and subjects us to terrible trials every day.
Peace must be the first sign of hope. Humanity, ignoring past dramas, continues to suffer from violence. The Jubilee invites concrete projects for peace and a courageous and creative diplomatic commitment.
Hope also requires an enthusiastic vision of the future, and the future needs new lives to exist. Promoting responsible motherhood and fatherhood is essential. The Christian community must support a social alliance for hope, encouraging the birth of new children even against the social factors that determine their decline.

Again, the Jubilee invites initiatives that restore hope to prisoners, proposing forms of amnesty and reintegration paths. The Church calls for dignity and respect for human rights, including the abolition of the death penalty.
The sick, both at home and in the hospital, must find relief in the closeness of people and the works of mercy, which awaken hope and gratitude. Inclusive and supportive care is needed for those suffering from disabilities or illnesses.
Young people, often disappointed by the uncertainties of the future, must be supported. The Jubilee is an opportunity to renew our commitment to them, helping them to overcome melancholy and the risks of self-destructive behaviour.
Migrants, in search of a better life, must be welcomed with dignity and responsibility. The Christian community must defend their rights, guaranteeing security, work and education.
The elderly, often alone and abandoned, must be recognised as treasures of experience and wisdom. The Christian community and civil society must work together to form an alliance across generations.
A concrete commitment is needed to tackle widespread poverty. The poor should not be seen as collateral damage, but as victims to be supported and helped.

The Pope’s Appeals for Hope

In addition to recognising the signs of hope, the Church must also act actively and practically to offer concrete solutions to the discomfort and need that those signs reveal. The Jubilee is an invitation to rediscover hope through social justice, Christian unity and generosity towards those most in need. The Church is called to be a tangible sign of hope, working for a more just and united world.
The Jubilee emphasises that the Earth’s resources must be shared equitably. The rich must be generous and help those in need. In particular, it is scandalous that many people still suffer from hunger today. It proposes the establishment of a Global Fund to eliminate hunger and develop poor countries, using funds earmarked for military spending.
Rich nations should forgive the debts of poor countries, recognising the historical injustice and ecological debt between North and South. This is seen as a necessary step to repair injustices and promote peace.
The upcoming Jubilee coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in the Church’s unity and the definition of the Christian faith. This anniversary offers an opportunity to strengthen unity among Christians and respond to the call to evangelisation.
The Jubilee of 2025 presents an opportunity for Christians of East and West to unify the date of Easter celebration, overcoming historical divisions and responding to the desire for unity expressed by Jesus.

On 5 August in Rome, Our Lady of the Snow is commemorated, marked by a spectacular snowfall on the square of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to her. This is how the cult was born

Our Lady of the Snow and the miracle of 5 August are an integral part of Rome’s religious history. Since August 5, 358 AD, a miraculous snowfall blanketed the Esquiline hill, decreeing the place where the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest Marian sanctuary in the West, would have stood, this day represents a significant appointment in the liturgical calendar, which combines history, faith and tradition in a unique and evocative event. The festival of Our Lady of the Snow is not only an opportunity to remember the miracle, but also a moment of spiritual reflection for the faithful, on the role of the Virgin Mary as a mediator of divine Grace, a symbol of purity and renewal, just like the snow from which she took the Marian title of Our Lady of the Snow, precisely.

According to legend, Our Lady appeared in a dream on the night between 4 and 5 August 364 to Pope Liberius (352-366), or, according to another tradition, to the Roman patrician John, who would then report the dream to the Pope. In both cases, the Virgin asked that a Basilica be erected in her name and announced that, to indicate the exact place, she would send snow. That night, a miraculous snowfall occurred on the Esquiline Hill. Here, the Liberian Basilica was first built, on the remains of which Sixtus III had the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to the Virgin, erected. With its imposing architecture and artistic treasures, the Basilica underwent various restoration interventions over the centuries, becoming enriched with works of art. Even today, it remains one of the most important symbols of Marian faith and devotion worldwide.

When is Our Lady of the Snow celebrated?

Our Lady of the Snow is therefore celebrated on 5 August to commemorate the famous miracle of the snowfall on the Esquiline. Every year, on August 5, the festival of Our Lady of the Snow is celebrated with a solemn Mass in honour of the Virgin Mary. This anniversary, which commemorates the miracle of snow, attracts tourists from all over the world. In the square in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a show of sounds and lights is organised, followed by an artificial snowfall that recalls the miraculous one that occurred in 358 AD. In ancient times, white rose petals were used as a symbol of snowflakes.

According to some traditions, 5 August is also remembered as the birthday of Our Lady. The Nativity of the Virgin is officially celebrated on 8 September, although this date is purely conventional, since there are no precise indications on the date of Mary’s birth. The choice of 8 September coincides with the dedication feast of St. Anne’s Basilica in Jerusalem, built in the fourth century AD on the site where Mary’s parents’ house is believed to have stood. However, other traditions coincide with the birthday of Our Lady on different dates, including August 5, the feast day of Our Lady of the Snow.

Why is Santa Maria Maggiore dedicated to the Virgin of the Snow?

Santa Maria Maggiore is dedicated to the Virgin of the Snow to commemorate the miracle that occurred on 5 August. This event is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and has given rise to one of the most heartfelt and celebrated Marian festivals. Every year, on 5 August, the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome hosts a solemn liturgical celebration and a spectacular artificial “snowfall” of white petals, reminiscent of the miraculous summer snowfall that occurred in 358 AD.

The Church of Our Lady of the Snow (in Latin, Sancta Maria ad Nives) is one of the papal basilicas, or those fundamental churches that house a papal altar, where only the Pope or a few other high-ranking priests are permitted to celebrate the Eucharist. Each of the papal basilicas also has a Holy Door that is opened on the occasion of the Jubilee. The opening of the Holy Door is a central event of the Jubilee and marks the beginning of the period of grace and mercy that it represents. In particular, the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which for the 2025 Jubilee will take place on 24 December 2024, officially marks the beginning of the Holy Year. Walking through the Holy Door invites the faithful to conversion and to receive the grace of forgiveness.

The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, situated in Rome, is a remarkable example of early Christian architecture. Its construction began, as we have seen, under the pontificate of Pope Liberius, but the basilica has undergone numerous modifications and extensions over the centuries. Santa Maria Maggiore is famous, among other things, for its mosaics, dating back to the period of its construction. These mosaics run high along the central nave, both right and left. Initially, there were 42 panels, but only 27 survived (12 on the left and 15 on the right), while the others were destroyed in the eighteenth century, and in some cases, they were replaced by frescoes. The boxes represent stories from the Old Testament. Other precious mosaics adorn the triumphal arch that delineates the apse, representing scenes from the life of Jesus.

The famous sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini is also buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Buy Now:

Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope

Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope. Articles designed to celebrate the upcoming Jubilee 2025 in Rome, dedicated to the themes of pilgrimage…

The Wedding of Cana tells the story of the first miracle performed by Jesus. Let us see what message this story hides

The evangelist John tells us in his Gospel about the first miracle that Jesus would perform. Known as the miracle of the Wedding at Cana, it would be more appropriate to call it The Turning of Water into Wine. We all know the story, told in John 2,1-12: Jesus had taken part with some disciples and his mother Mary at a wedding feast at Cana of Galilee, And when the wine was finished, he had six vessels filled with water brought in, and turned it into wine.

Buy Now:

Wedding in Cana Basrelief, Bethléem monastery

Wedding in Cana Basrelief, Bethléem monastery. Basrelief in Pyrenean stone depicting the scene…

Miracle of the Wedding at Cana

“In those days there was a wedding feast at Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was present. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him: «They have no wine». And Jesus answered her: «Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not yet come». His mother said to the servants: «Whatever he tells you, do it». There were six stone amphorae for the ritual purification of the Jews, each containing from eighty to one hundred and twenty litres. And Jesus said to them, «Fill the amphoras with water»; and they filled them up to the edge. He said to them again, «Now take some and bring it to the one who directs the banquet». And they brought it to him. As he tasted the water turned wine, the one who was leading the banquet – who did not know where it came from, but the servants who had taken the water knew it – called the groom and said: Everyone puts the good wine on the table at the beginning and, when you have already drunk a lot, the less good one. You have kept the good wine until now.»” (Jn 2,1-12)

The symbologies and doctrinal messages hidden in this simple story are many and different, so much so that for centuries the story of the Cana wedding has been the subject of dissertations by theologians and religious.

To begin with, the presence of Jesus at a wedding banquet has been interpreted by many as the moment of the institution of the Sacrament of Matrimony, For his presence that day and place would sanctify the union between the bridegroom and bride in the sight of God.

Buy Now:

Wedding

Wedding: in this department there is a selection of articles dedicated to the Wedding sacrament…

Another very important aspect of this Gospel episode is the role played by the Virgin Mary in it. Mary intercedes with her Son, pointing out that the diners have finished their wine, and in this way, she becomes the bearer of a silent plea from men towards Jesus. For the first time, Our Lady stops being only a mother, but she becomes the spokesman of humanity to her Son, and instructs those present to follow her word, abandoning herself to it in full confidence: “Do what he will tell you.”

Mary’s presence at the miracle of the Wedding at Cana has an even deeper meaning. It is the first of the so-called Seven Signs, the seven miracles that in the Gospel of John tell the path taken by Jesus to show the disciples His powers and what it is intended for, before arriving at the Last Supper, to the Passion and death. Reading the Scriptures, it is easy to see that there are more occasions when Jesus uses his power to heal, heal and deliver from the devil. John chooses to tell seven episodes:

1. The Wedding of Cana in Galilee;
2. the recovery of the captain’s son;
3. the healing of the sick for thirty-eight years in Bethesda;
4. the multiplication of loaves.
5. Jesus walking on water;
6. the healing of the born blind person;
7. the resurrection of Lazarus.

At the first of these signs is present the Mother of Jesus, and he seems to distance himself, when she turns to him for help, he almost seems to treat her badly. “Woman, what do you want from me in this? My hour has not yet come”. But Our Lady does not let these words fool her and she repeats to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:3-5). Mary knows that her Son is special, that he is destined for great things. And Jesus knows that it is time for him to break away from his mother in order to embrace the destiny that God has in store for him. The fact that he is there with the disciples on that day is already significant that his mission has begun. The disciples are his new family, who will accompany him to his destiny and final sacrifice. At the Wedding of Cana, Jesus offered himself for the first time in the name of the Covenant between God and men which He came to renew.

Buy Now:

Altar Tabernacle with Resurrection in wood and brass

Altar Tabernacle with Resurrection in wood and two tone cast brass. The door of this tabernacle…

Finally, we must consider the symbolism linked to wine, which for the Jews was a very important element, a symbol of joy and sacredness at one time, elements that can not be missing in a wedding. Not only that, Jesus transforms into wine the water destined for ritual purification, not ordinary water, and turns it into an excellent wine, the best.

Painting of the Wedding at Cana by Veronese

The Wedding of Cana has inspired many artists over the centuries. We mention here the eponymous painting made by Veronese in 1563 and kept today at the Louvre in Paris. It represents the episode of the transformation of water into wine, with a scene rich in details and in an environment that mixes elements related to the time of the facts and other contemporaries to the artist. The guests at the banquet wear late Renaissance clothes with bright colours, there are musicians engaged in playing modern instruments, and many of the characters are portrayed with the features of famous historical figures, as well as the artist himself.

The pontificate of Pope Leo XIV begins like a door slightly ajar to the future. Who is the first American Pope in the history of the Church

There was a moment, as the world waited in silence, when the bells rang and history began to flow once more, its mighty heart beating again. From the Loggia of the Blessings, where every new beginning takes on flesh and word, a voice broke the suspense with simple words, trembling with emotion: words of peace, words of gratitude. The name of Pope Francis, just spoken by the one who now inherits his legacy, echoed across St Peter’s Square like a breath of living memory: Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost. The new Pontiff did not hide his emotion. He spoke of Francis as a spiritual father, a gentle shepherd who had led the Church through times of unrest and hope. “I take up his legacy,” he said, “and with it, the dream of a poor, fraternal, pilgrim Church.” Just elected, with a soft accent and discreet step, he opened a new era, scented with continuity and prophecy.

Buy Now:

Pope Francis

Category dedicated to Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Born in Chicago to a family interwoven with European roots, the first American Pope in history presents himself as a man of the frontier, a bridge between worlds, between cultures, between ages. With his heart turned to the peripheries of the soul and a gaze able to glimpse tomorrow’s challenges, Leo XIV is called to lead God’s people in the fragile and bold time of the third millennium. And he does so with the humility of one who knows he is not alone, for every step he takes carries the footprints of those who came before.

His is a profile that unites roots, rigour and breadth: a mind shaped by logic and theology, a heart forged through contact with poverty, a spirit tempered in Augustinian fraternity. His figure naturally embodies the balance the Church invokes today: between institution and people, between Tradition and the questions of the present, between the unity of faith and the plurality of cultures.

The Origins and Identity of a “Quiet American Citizen” Pope

Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in the metropolis of Chicago, the beating heart of an America able to cherish ancient traditions while gazing fearlessly into the unknown. His roots lie in a soil of interwoven stories: Italian-French-Spanish blood, languages and devotions chasing one another from one continent to another.

His surname is already a kind of interior geography, a call to origins that become universal vocation. Sometimes names carry with them an ancient echo, like a bell sounding from far away. The surname Prevost originates in France, where it once indicated someone called to lead, to oversee, to serve with authority and justice. It derives from the medieval term prévôt, used to designate officials who administered land, communities and sacred places on behalf of a lord or the king. Going even deeper, its Latin root praepositus holds the original meaning: “the one placed in front.” Not to dominate, but to guard. Not to command, but to guide.

Over time, that title became a name, and then a surname, passed down from generation to generation like a silent inheritance. It crossed the centuries, spread through the French regions of Normandy and Île-de-France, reflected in the dialects of Northern Italy, becoming Prevosto, Prevò, Provost, and in some Alpine valleys it came to mean the parish priest, the rector of the community, the one who watched over others’ lives.

One branch bends southward, through the valleys of Piedmont and the lakes of Lombardy, where languages intertwined like dialects and surnames crossed borders. Louis Marius Prevost, father of the future Pope, carried an Italian heritage, perhaps hidden in his maternal genealogy, in those mixed marriages uniting families from beyond the Alps with local ones, in a web of movement, porous borders and shared affection.

It is there, between Italy and France, that the name Prevost becomes a cultural bridge, then crosses the ocean to take root in America, like a seed carried on the wind of history. A mosaic of origins now composed in the gentle and resolute face of Leo XIV, a Pope of the borderlands, son of diverse lands and universal brother, with a vocation to responsibility, service and guardianship.

The family of Robert Francis Prevost embodies this interwoven story: a name from afar, familiar with courts and churches, countryside and cities, now echoing in St Peter’s Basilica as a sign of destiny. Prevost: a man “placed in front”, yes, but to be a servant, not a master. To stand among, not above. To build bridges, not thrones.

A Vocation Carved Through Time and Space

The calling, for Robert Francis Prevost, did not arrive like a sudden bolt of lightning, but like a line drawn patiently, step by step, between lecture halls and the world’s peripheries. Raised in the United States, he walked from an early age the path of the Order of Saint Augustine, imbued with contemplative spirituality and thirst for justice.

The first breath of his formation came in the Augustinian Minor Seminary, then expanded into the world of science and thought. In 1977, he graduated in Mathematics and Philosophy from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, a place where logic meets faith, and intellectual rigour opens to mystery.

That same year, he entered the Augustinian novitiate in Saint Louis, Missouri, embracing the Rule as a compass for the soul. He made solemn vows in 1981, sealing a choice that was not merely religious, but profoundly existential. He studied Theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and later flew to Rome, the pulsating heart of Christianity, where he earned a doctorate in Canon Law with honours at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas.

In 1982, in a Rome still stirred by post-Council winds, he was ordained a priest. But it was in 1980s Peru, among the dusty streets of Trujillo and the wounded faces of poverty, that the young Father Prevost underwent one of the most defining experiences of his life. For nearly fifteen years, he served as parish priest, prior, formator, judicial vicar, and lecturer in Patristics and Moral Theology. He taught, led, listened. He learned a language that was not just Spanish, but the universal language of compassion. The global South entered his blood and heart, shaping in him a pastoral approach rooted in closeness.

In 1999, he returned to the United States, becoming provincial prior of the Augustinian Province of Chicago. Two years later, in 2001, he was elected Prior General of the entire Order of Saint Augustine, a leadership role he held for twelve years, traversing continents and communities in a constant tension between contemplation and mission.

Under Pope Francis, his figure definitively emerged on the stage of the universal Church. In 2014, he was named bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, and later held important positions in the Roman Curia. Appointed a member of major Dicasteries, including those for Clergy and Bishops, he became in 2023 the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—key roles in discerning and appointing new pastors.

On 30 September 2023, Francis created him a cardinal, a gesture that already felt like a prelude.

He is the first Pope with a degree in mathematics. They already call him the “mathematical Pope,” and yet listening to him, there is nothing cold or abstract about him. Analysis, precision, clarity of argument—these are tools submitted to the light of the Gospel. Even in his first appearance, Leo XIV broke with tradition: he was the first to read from a prepared speech from the Loggia of St Peter’s—a small gesture, perhaps, but one that reveals a method, a vision. Every word counts. Every choice carries weight.

He has been called a reserved man, yet in the moments before his election, his humanity shone through with disarming power. Cardinals recall seeing him breathing deeply, overwhelmed by the call; one of them, Cardinal Tagle, offered him a sweet: a small gesture, immense tenderness. And when, at the decisive moment, the assembly rose to acclaim him, he remained seated. Not out of pride, but out of holy fear: someone had to take his hand and help him rise.

The Road to the Chair of Peter

The election of Leo XIV came like a wind shifting direction without warning. The Conclave, suspended between expectation and prayer, saw three names rise: Pietro Parolin, the face of Vatican diplomacy; Peter Erdo, a theological stronghold; and Robert Prevost, a silent presence filled with meaning.

Divisions among the Italian cardinals broke the old unity of their bloc, while the Erdo proposal, backed by more conservative voices, found insufficient resonance within the Sistine Chapel.

It was at the fourth ballot that the atmosphere truly changed. “The votes swung overwhelmingly towards Prevost,” recounted Cardinal You of Korea. A broad consensus, like a silent tide that envelops everything. Leo XIV emerged as a figure of synthesis: a bridge between eras, spiritual heir to Francis, a man able to speak to a world in transition.

The Choice of Name: A Pontifical Programme

When he revealed the name he had chosen—Leo XIV—he did so with the calmness of one who knows that every word is a promise. The reference was to Leo XIII, author of Rerum novarum, a prophetic voice in the time of the first industrial revolution. Today too, the new Pontiff said, we are living through another revolution: that of artificial intelligence, of new inequalities, of work that changes its shape and meaning.

His name is a declaration of intent, a bridge thrown between the questions of the past and those of the present. With the same strength as the Lion, this Pope wants to defend human dignity, proclaim the value of work, and listen to the voiceless. And in doing so, he places the Church within the great dialogue between humanity and its future.

His vision is clear: just as Leo XIII spoke to his time with words of justice, so Leo XIV seeks to offer our age criteria for discernment. Artificial intelligence, the transformation of labour, human dignity—these are the new frontiers of a social doctrine that cannot lag behind. “Every technology,” he has said, “must be measured by its ability to serve human beings, not to dominate them. Every advance must become a caress, not a wound.” In this light, the Church has the task of reminding the world that man is not a function, but a mystery.

Buy Now:

Saint Joseph carpenter

Statue of Saint Joseph depicted while working as a carpenter. Saint Joseph is the patron of carpenters,..

A Pontificate Marked by Peace and Reconciliation

“Peace be with you all”: with these words he began, like a universal embrace. But this is not the peace of convenience, that avoids conflict for the sake of comfort. His is a “disarmed and disarming peace”, a peace offered bare, and for that reason stronger than any army. A peace that challenges consciences, that builds bridges while the world raises walls.

The Pope is, in the original sense of the word, the one who unites the shores. And Leo XIV wants to be just that: a craftsman of encounters, a silent builder in a world that shouts.

“I am the unworthy successor of Peter,” Leo XIV said, and in those words echoed the humility of the greats. His gaze is turned to Tradition, but with eyes wide open to the frontiers. He declared his intention to continue “the precious legacy of Pope Francis”, walking a path of inclusion, synodality, listening. In his heart lives the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, a luminous compass for navigating uncertain times.
His idea of the Church is that of a living body, where every voice has the right to be heard, and where authority does not impose but serves.

Buy Now:

Statue of Pope Francis in resin 30 cm

Pope Francis resin statue 30 cm.The statue of Pope Francis is made of colored resin. The Pope is depicted in an attitude…

The Augustinian Tradition as Compass

He quoted Saint Augustine: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.” In these words lies the deep wisdom of one who understands the depths of the human soul. Just as Augustine lived through the fall of the Empire and the rise of a new world, so Leo XIV now guides the Church amid the ruins and promises of our own time. He is a bishop because he is a brother. Not a monarch, but a servant. Not a distant figure, but a presence beside.

He traced his journey in clear and luminous words: primacy of Christ, missionary conversion, synodality, attentiveness to the sensus fidei, popular piety, care for the least, dialogue with the world. Not a list, but a map of the heart.

At the centre, Christ. Not as a symbol, but as a living presence. And around him, a community that proclaims, listens, allows itself to be transformed. A Church unafraid of fragility, but dwelling within it as a place of grace.

The pontificate of Leo XIV opens like a door slightly ajar upon the future. Within, one glimpses faces, tears, hopes. A Church that walks, that allows itself to be questioned, that is not afraid to get its hands dirty. A Church that knows how to say “we”. With Francis’s breath in his heart, and the gaze of the poor in his eyes, Leo XIV begins his journey. He does so as one who carries a flaming torch, received with reverence and returned with fidelity. And in that flickering flame, which is both memory and prophecy, the face of the Church to come is already visible.

Buy Now:

Jesus the Good Shepherd wood carved statue Val Gardena

Jesus the Good Shepherd wood carved statue Val Gardena. Statue representing Jesus the Good Shepherd, painted with oil colours and finished with gold leaves…