Navy Reserve Petty Officer Jesus Benitez talks with his son, Maddox, after surprising him and his sister, Mia, at St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen, Md., Dec. 18, 2014. His children did not know he was able to come home for the holidays. Benitez is in the middle of a yearlong deployment in Djibouti, ...read more

Nigerian Christians pray in the grotto of the Church of Nativity on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, West Bank. CNS photo/Debbie Hill ...read more

The Jubilee for Mercy is officially open and with it, so too are holy doors around the world. The Vatican inaugurated the holy year with the ceremony for the opening of the holy door. Adding to the festivities was a three hour light show called Fides Lux: Illuminating Our Common Home. Inspired by Pope Francis’ ...read more

Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Paul P. Chomnycky of Stamford, Conn., anoints a woman with holy oil after celebrating a Divine Liturgy marking the feast of the Nativity at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York. The parish follows the tradition of the church in Ukraine and celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar. CNS photo/Gregory ...read more

“What does Christmas mean to you?” This is a common question posed during the Advent season, and one that evokes in many of us fond memories and feelings of gratitude. This week, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council, similar feelings have pervaded me. Many thoughtful and inspiring ...read more

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan blesses an inmate as he celebrates Christmas Eve Mass at Rikers Island correctional facility in New York Dec. 24, 2013. CNS photo/Lucas Jackson, Reuters ...read more

Families displaced by violence take shelter at the Don Bosco Catholic youth center in Bangui, Central African Republic, Christmas Day, 2013. CNS photo/Andrea Campeanu, Reuters ...read more

Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee of Mercy on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Read the full text of his homily below: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercy December 8,  2015  Dear Brothers and Sisters, In a few moments I will have the joy ...read more

Devotees take part in a pre-dawn Mass, locally called “Misa de Gallo,” before Christmas at a church in Manila, Philippines, Dec. 16. The pre-dawn Mass is one of the most popular traditions among Filipinos during the Christmas season. CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters ...read more

By Joe Paprocki, DMin Corporal Works of Mercy – The Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts by which we help our neighbors with their everyday material and physical needs. Feed the Hungry see to the proper nutrition of your loved ones, support and volunteer for food pantries, soup kitchens, and agencies that feed the ...read more