Religion

Ave Stella del Mare is a heartfelt invocation to Mary, Star of the Sea (Stella Maris), one of the oldest Marian titles. How did this prayer originate, and what does it mean? The figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, has always held a…

Contents1 The Dressing of the Candlesticks2 The “Faradda”3 The Descent of the Candlesticks and the Assumption of Mary The Faradda di li Candareri, the Descent of the Candlesticks in Sassari, combines religious devotion, history and popular tradition. Here is how it takes place every year…

Contents1 History of Saint Philomena2 What does Saint Philomena protect?3 The Shrine of Saint Philomena The remains of Saint Philomena the virgin and martyr were discovered in the catacombs of Rome, but they are kept in the Shrine of Mugnano del Cardinale. Here is the…

The first Bishop of Lecce, Saint Oronzo was a preacher and miracle worker. He saved the city from the plague in the 17th century and from the earthquake of 1743, and for this reason the people of Lecce hold him in special devotion and affection.…

Contents1 The Theatines of Saint Cajetan2 Saint Cajetan and the Tradition of the Neapolitan Nativity Scene3 The Co-Patron Saint of Naples On 7 August, Naples celebrates Saint Cajetan of Thiene, the city’s co-patron saint and the creator of the Neapolitan Nativity scene. Saint Cajetan of…

Contents1 How does a pre-marriage course work?2 Documents required for marriage in church3 With what spirit should one approach a pre-marriage course? The pre-marriage course prepares the new couple for life together, presenting them with topics they will inevitably have to face. For the Catholic…

Contents1 The Stages of the Way of Saint Francis2 The Southern Way3 The Way of Saint Francis on Foot or by Bike4 Pilgrim’s Credential for the Way of Saint Francis The Way of Saint Francis retraces the steps of the Patron Saint of Italy, amidst…

Contents1 The Legend of the Holy Grail2 In Search of the Holy Grail3 The Link with the Holy Shroud In the collective imagination, the Holy Grail represents an enigma shrouded in legend—a mystical and sacred object of power that has fascinated humanity for centuries. But…

Contents1 The Amsterdam Apparitions2 Our Lady of Amsterdam3 Our Lady’s Messages Around the World4 Prayer to the Lady of All Nations The Lady of All Nations is the title by which the Virgin Mary appeared to the Dutch seer Ida Peerdeman in fifty-six visions spanning…

Contents1 The Story of Saint Andrew2 The Miracle of the Manna3 The Feast of Saint Andrew in Amalfi Saint Andrew was one of Jesus’s apostles. The brother of Peter, he spread the Word of God to distant lands and died a martyr in Patras. Today…

Contents1 The Story of the Martyrs of Otranto2 The Relics of the 800 Martyrs of Otranto3 The Canonisation of the Martyrs by Pope Francis Can an entire town be canonised? That is what happened to the Martyrs of Otranto – 800 martyrs in the name…

Contents1 The Prayers of Saint Bridget2 The Revelations of Saint Bridget3 How to Pray the Bridgettine Rosary Saint Bridget of Sweden, a 14th-century Swedish mystic, is one of the co-patron saints of Europe. She went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Land.…

Saint John of God made charity and the care of the sick and destitute his life’s mission. Here is how his vocation lives on today through the Hospitaller Order of the Fatebenefratelli. Saint John of God (born João Duarte Cidade) was a Portuguese friar who…

Contents1 How the devotion of the Franciscan Rosary originated2 The Rosary of the Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary3 How to recite the Franciscan Crown As in every aspect of existence, Saint Francis preached joy and gladness even in prayer. Here is the Franciscan Rosary,…

Contents1 Motherhood in art2 Madonne del latte: some paintings3 Prayer to Madonna del latte The Madonna del Latte is an ancient and powerful iconography that contains all the tenderness of motherhood and the greatness of the Virgin Mary. The Christian iconography of the Madonna del…

Contents1 Eucharistic Adoration During Corpus Christi2 Forty Hours’ Devotion3 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration4 Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration Eucharistic Adoration establishes a deep dialogue between each believer and God, bringing a reflection of Heaven onto Earth. When speaking of Eucharistic Adoration, we are touching on an extremely…

Contents1 When did the Festival of the Lilies in Nola begin?2 What are the Lilies of Nola?3 The story of Saint Paolino of Nola With the towering lily-shaped structures carried on the shoulders of devotees, the Festival of the Lilies in Nola is a thrilling…

Contents1 Wood maintenance and cleaning2 Wood restoration3 How to clean wood using natural methods Wood maintenance: how and why. Here’s what to do to protect and make furniture and furnishings last We have already discussed how important it is to maintain and clean the objects…