The Texas Catholic Herald

December 4, 2024

Proclaiming Holy Year, pope says it is time to strengthen and share hope

"The time has come for a new Jubilee when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ," Pope Francis said in a document formally proclaiming the Holy Year 2025.

December 4, 2024

Pope to open Holy Door at Rome prison at beginning of Jubilee 2025

Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to inaugurate the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis will travel to a Rome prison to open a Holy Door as a "tangible sign of the message of hope" for people in prisons around the world, the Vatican announced.

December 4, 2024

Preparations begin for opening Holy Doors at Vatican, Rome basilicas

Hours after the last visitors and pilgrims left St. Peter's Basilica for the day, a chisel clanged and dust flew as a group of prelates chanted their prayers before a simple wall marked with a cross.

December 4, 2024

Vatican norms for Jubilee indulgence include pilgrimage, penance, service

Pilgrims passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica during the Holy Year 2025, going to confession, receiving Communion and praying for the intentions of the pope can receive an indulgence, but so can inmates in prison and those who work to defend human life or assist migrants and refugees.

December 4, 2024

'Pilgrims of Hope': Vatican prepares to welcome millions for Holy Year

The celebration of a Holy Year every 25 years is an acknowledgment that "the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps toward the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus," Pope Francis wrote.

December 4, 2024

Debt relief: Biblical jubilee concern is focus of Holy Year 2025, too

Proclaiming the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis appealed to the world's wealthiest nations to "acknowledge the gravity of so many of their past decisions and determine to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them."

December 3, 2024

Downtown co-cathedral, Galveston basilica to ring bells as Notre Dame Cathedral reopens in Paris

As Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris officially reopens Dec. 7-8, bells will ring in churches an ocean away in the United States to celebrate the historic moment.

November 26, 2024

Seminarians to sprint for Catholic education at Steps for Students

A group of St. Mary's Seminary students have formed a run club to participate in the Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk to support Catholic education, set for Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in downtown Houston.

November 26, 2024

A recipe for Thanksgiving: Apple Pie Oat Bars

Yes, Thanksgiving can be chaotic, but it can also be a sacred space to give thanks to God for the gifts we have received. And here's an apple pie oat bar recipe to help with that.

November 26, 2024

Preparing a heart and home for Advent

A sense of joyful preparation combined with anticipation is the attitude we bring to Advent as we await the arrival of Christ the Lord. Christmas is the high point, but using the days leading up to Dec. 25 to prepare both spiritually and materially is what Advent is all about!