Christmas Eve Mass Archives

On Christmas Eve, Pope highlights ‘disarming’ love of a child

Dec 24, 2020

Pope Francis inaugurated the Christmas season Thursday, saying in Christmas Eve Mass that the birth of the infant Jesus should not only assure humanity of God’s love for them, but it should also inspire people to care for the poor and needy in their midst.

By Elise Ann Allen

Italian COVID Christmas rules awaken debate about midnight Mass

Dec 5, 2020

When the Italian government this week issued new rules for the holiday season, among other things imposing a strict curfew making the traditional celebration of midnight Mass on Christmas Eve impossible, it revived debate about the actual time of Christ’s birth.

By Elise Ann Allen

Don’t wait for the Church to be perfect to love her, Pope says

Dec 24, 2019

Pope Francis on Christmas Eve spoke out to those who might feel marginalized and lacking in holiday cheer during this season of joy, insisting that Christmas is an assurance of God’s love for each person, despite one’s mistakes and failures, even those of the Church.

By Elise Harris

Christmas an invitation to be generous, not selfish, pope says

Dec 24, 2018

During his homily for Christmas Eve Mass, Pope Francis said the birth of Christ in Bethlehem is the first moment when Jesus offers himself as nourishment for humanity – an offering that directly contradicts the selfishness and consumerist attitude of modern times.

By Elise Harris

Pope says saga of Holy Family echoes in today’s migrants, refugees

Dec 24, 2017

Pope Francis had refugees and immigrants in mind on Christmas Eve, as he preached a homily extolling the Holy Family as an exemplar for today’s burgeoning numbers of people who find themselves unwillingly on the move.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Pope’s November-January schedule includes new World Day of the Poor

Oct 25, 2017

The World Day of the Poor celebration was just one item on a list of papal liturgies for November through January. It is a day Pope Francis established after the Year of Mercy. The pope will also be celebrating Mass at 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

By Catholic News Service

Thou shalt not use a hoverboard at Mass, diocese says

Dec 29, 2015

The hoverboard was the “it” gift this year for some. It’s a two-wheeled electric scooter-like device that actually doesn’t hover, but does burst into flames, violently hurls users to the ground, and now, apparently, gets clerics suspended from ministry. The Rev. Albert San Jose of the Diocese of San Pablo,

By Michael O'Loughlin

Pope Francis calls on followers of Christ to spurn extravagance

Dec 24, 2015

ROME – On the heels of an award that offers another reminder of his stature as a global moral point of reference, Pope Francis rang in the Christmas season Thursday night by insisting that Christ’s birth into poverty calls his followers to spurn consumerism, wealth, and extravagance. “He was born

By John L. Allen Jr.