Catholic articles Tag

Lourdes in France: 5 Things to Know About This Pilgrimage Site

l town at the foot of the Pyrenees welcomes over 6 million pilgrims and visitors from around the world each year. It is, in fact, the largest center of Catholic pilgrimage in France. 2- The city owes its fame to Bernadette Soubirous. In 1858, a fourteen-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous claim ...

05
July
2010

Tourism Bolivia: don't miss the Carnival of Oruro!

aniards who had taken over this territory banned indigenous ceremonies. The Uru, however, continued to celebrate this festival under the guise of the Catholic Candlemas during the first week of February. Even today, this carnival is part of the Ito festival held in honor of the Uru people. This e ...

31
Jan
2023

Mardi Gras: origins and traditions

What day does Fat Tuesday fall on in the Catholic calendar? The feast of Mardi Gras precedes Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent and falls on a different date every year, set in relation to the date of Easter (a feast whose date varies according to the cycle of the Moon). For Catholi ...

06
Feb
2007

Fortune of France: 5 Things to Know About the New Series on France 2

rses the viewer in one of the darkest periods in French History. The story takes place in the 16th century, at the dawn of the religious wars that saw Catholics and Protestants tearing each other apart, against the backdrop of dynastic succession between the Valois and the Bourbons. In the Périgo ...

16
Sep
2024

Epiphany: the origins of the Feast of Kings

denomination, is moreover associated with the tradition of 'pulling out the kings'. What is the symbolic meaning of the Epiphany? For the Roman Catholic Church, Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi who came to bring gifts to the Christ Child. In some countries, the liturgical celebrati ...

13
Dec
2007

Valentine's Day : history of the lovers' day

ine, the saint celebrated on February 14 who is now considered the patron saint of lovers. At least three different saints are called Valentine in Catholic tradition: Valentine of Rome, Valentine of Terni and another martyr who lived in North Africa So there are several versions of the life and m ...

31
Jan
2008

The Basilica of Saint-Denis: An Overlooked Treasure

he royal necropolis. A church at the crossroads of history and modernity This monument open to the public is divided into two spaces: the church where Catholic ceremonies take place and a museum where the tombs of the kings and queens of France are displayed. The museum is closed during religious ce ...

18
Feb
2010

Saint Lucia: 5 things to know about this festival of lights

d Sankta Lucia or simply Lucia in Swedish) is a feast day in honor of Saint Lucia of Syracuse. It is celebrated on December 13, the feast day of this Catholic saint who lived in early fourth century Sicily and died a martyr. This saint is often depicted wearing her eyes on a plate or in a cup bec ...

07
Dec
2017

Travelling Solo: our recommendations for safe travel

ink that your identity and/or nationality will save you. Women must veil to visit Saint Sofia in Istanbul, men must remove their caps or bobs in many Catholic religious places, it is not advisable to eat in the street during the daytime during Ramadan in Muslim countries... Be respectful of others ...

21
June
2022

Timisoara: 5 good reasons to visit this Romanian city.

d Serbs but also Bulgarians, Italians, and Greeks. These different communities coexist in perfect harmony, each practicing their religion (Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Lutheran, and Muslim among others), making this city a model of tolerance and openness to the world. 4- It is one of the ...

29
Mar
2023

Easter Around the World: 5 Unusual Easter Traditions

zed for Easter. Unlike the Greeks, the Poles don't have egg battles but water battles! This tradition is known as "Wet Monday." In this predominantly Catholic country, water is a symbol of baptism and reminds residents that they need to wash away their sins. The funny custom aims to purify oneself ...

28
Mar
2024

Inti Raymi: 5 Things to Know About the Festival of the Sun in Peru

r took place in 1412. This festival was then banned by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1572 because it was considered a pagan ceremony contrary to the Catholic faith. However, Peruvians continued to celebrate this date clandestinely. In 1944, a historical reenactment was organized at the initiative ...

19
June
2024