Category: World

Christina Noble

Turning misfortune into a blessing for 700,000 children

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She had a dream about suffering children in Vietnam as she wrote in her autobiography Nobody’s Children. She then decided to go there to help them, which she did. Despite her poor education and having no connections with sponsors, through hard work and inventiveness, she built up an impressive international charity, the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation. The Guardian article’s fitting title was “Christina Noble: the woman who transformed the lives of 700,000 children,” and, of course, many more since. 

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Philippine Coast Guard personnel assist typhoon victims.

Pope Francis Prays for Philippine Typhoon Victims

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Pope Francis expressed his sympathy and assured the Filipinos affected by typhoon “Odette” (International name: Rai) of his prayers. “I express my closeness to the population of the Philippines, struck by a strong typhoon that has caused many deaths and destroyed so many homes,” the Pope wrote on Twitter Sunday night. “May the ‘Santo Niño’ bring consolation and hope to the families of those most affected,” he added.

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Simbang Gabi – a tradition dating back to the 8th century Rorate Mass

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The Simbang Gabi was not actually conceived in the Philippines. It traces its roots to the so-called Rorate Masses in Europe that date back to the 8th century, when there was a custom of celebrating Masses in honor of our Lady in the time of Advent. These Masses were called “Rorate Masses” because the entrance antiphon began with the words  “Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum” (“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just”).

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Justo Gallego

One man, one Cathedral

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Without any technical knowledge of engineering or architecture, just that acquired by reading art books, Justo Gallego managed to build a unique Cathedral that combines, in its large dimensions, the use in large part of recycled materials. His inspiration is the Romanesque style, which for him is timeless. The final result culminated in an impressive cathedral, almost completed, and built to “give testimony of his great faith,” his surrender and love for God, having said that he had already disconnected from the world for many years. He was always characterized by his humility and always wanted to remain hidden from fame. He worked tirelessly until he was 96 years old, putting stone upon stone, supported by his faith and his great health secret: a lot of fasting and avoiding eating meat.

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Ordination of Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong

Bishop Stephen Chow takes office as 9th bishop of Hong Kong

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The ordination ceremony of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, which was vacant for nearly three years, was held on 4 December last year at 3 p.m. at the Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, Central. Father Stephen Chow Sau Yan, 61, President of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, took up his duties as the 9th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. The ceremony was officiated by bishop emeritus John Cardinal Tong Hon, Apostolic Nuncio, with  Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, and Monsignor Javier Herrera Corona, Chargé d’affaires of the Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau concelebrating. The service was conducted in Cantonese and English.

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Colbert: faith and fun

adminFaith & Life, World

Colvert’s zeal comes from his mother’s upbringing. He was the last of her eleven children. “She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option? God doesn’t really give you another choice.” 

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