Church history Archives

13th-century encounter points way to greater Christian-Muslim understanding

Nov 10, 2019

Eight centuries ago, St. Francis of Assisi took a risk when he crossed the battlefield between Crusader and Muslim forces near Damietta, Egypt, desiring to meet Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil and preach his faith in Jesus Christ.

By Dennis Sadowski

Byzantine church to mystery martyr unearthed near Jerusalem

Oct 24, 2019

Israeli archaeologists have revealed an elaborately decorated Byzantine church dedicated to an anonymous martyr that was recently uncovered near Jerusalem.

By Patty Nieberg

Battle of Bosworth Field turning point in English, and Catholic, history

Aug 16, 2019

This weekend, the people of Leicestershire will commemorate the August 22, 1485 Battle of Bosworth Field, in which King Richard III was killed, leading to the crowning of Henry Tudor as King Henry VII of England.

By Charles Collins

Debate on female deacons not just about history; it’s about art

Jul 4, 2019

A small group of activists and academics embarked on a mission this week to dig deep into early Christian art, in search of answers on the original role of women in the Catholic Church, only two months after Pope Francis called for further study and historical data concerning the ordination of female deacons.

By Claire Giangravè

The story of a Roman piazza in a Dutch village

May 18, 2019

Dutch priest Father Willem Hellemons (1810-1884) was a parish priest in the village of Oudenbosch, in the south of the Netherlands who wanted to recreate St. Peter’s in Holland.

By Jan Brouwers – Katholiek Nieuwsblad

Maryland Day marks special homecoming for 17th-century iron cross

Apr 2, 2019

This March 25 on the annual Maryland Day, as a treasured artifact of early U.S. Catholic history — a 17th-century iron cross believed to have been hammered together by a blacksmith on board either the Ark or the Dove — returned to St. Clement’s Island in Southern Maryland.

By Mark Zimmermann, CNS