The Irish tradition has long been that on Nollaig na mBan, this final day of the busy Christmas season, women get to put their feet up and enjoy a day of socializing. In some versions of the tradition, men take over the household chores.
Politics & Society
Posted inArts & Culture, Dispatches
The sound of the Christmas season: A history of the lost art of bell-ringing
Bell ringing has a rich history, integrated into daily and liturgical life year-round, a tradition being rediscovered and appreciated by anthropologists, academics, musicians and an increasing number of ordinary people.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Biden commutes 37 death row sentences before Trump can resume executions
President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Peace is necessary for climate solutions. That’s why U.S.-China tensions should worry us.
Peace among nations is a necessary precondition for any solution to the climate change crisis. Instead, we have a renewed arms race and a mad dash for exhaustible natural resources.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Destitute South Africans and migrants risk their lives in illegal mines—and are exploited by criminal gangs
In the small town of Stilfontein, some 90 miles from the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, hundreds, possibly thousands, of illegal miners have been underground in an abandoned mine shaft for more than a month.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Joe Biden expected to visit Pope Francis in final international trip of his presidency
The White House is expected to announce soon that President Joe Biden will visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis next month for what would likely be the final international trip of his presidency.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Should you stand or kneel to receive communion? Cardinal Cupich stirs debate after weighing in
A recent missive from Cardinal Blase Cupich to parishioners in Chicago provoked an unusually vitriolic response after the cardinal addressed issues regarding proper liturgical practice on Communion lines.
Posted inLast Take, Politics & Society
Dear Catholic Boomers: Don’t get too comfortable during Trump’s next four years
After another Trump victory, I thought about tuning out of politics. Then I remembered that I do not have that luxury. I am a Catholic.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
To help the pro-life cause, the U.S. bishops should acknowledge the third-party option
In their “Faithful Citizenship” document, the bishops should recognize options like the American Solidarity Party and challenge the assumption that we must choose between Democrats and Republicans.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis reveals he survived two assassination attempts during visit to Iraq
In a new autobiography, Pope Francis revealed that he escaped two assassination attempts during his visit to Iraq in March 2021, including one involving a young woman who was believed to be attempting a suicide bombing.