The feast of Saint Jacob of Serugh (November 29) offers an opportunity to look eastward—toward the ancient wells from which much of Christian theology, liturgy, and spirituality first flowed. Last year, we introduced the figure of Saint Jacob of Serugh , one of the greatest poets and theologians of the Syriac Christian tradition. This year, our celebration goes deeper, as we focus not only on the saint himself but on the wider significance of Eastern Christianity in the lif

The Last Judgment, fresco by Michelangelo, 1536–41; in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City. As the Church approaches the end of another liturgical cycle this Sunday, the readings and prayers are especially put together to draw our hearts toward the profound mystery of the Last Things . Themes of vigilance, judgment, and the coming Kingdom of God dominate the sacred texts proclaimed in our Masses. This is not accidental. The Church, in her wisdom, situates the close of the liturg

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for his first Apostolic Journey outside Italy—to Türkiye and Lebanon, lands that remain bastions of Eastern Christianity. His visit marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed and includes a pilgrimage to the tomb of the beloved St. Charbel Makhlouf. Yet beyond commemoration, this journey offers an invitation: to rediscover and appreciate the Church’s Eastern tradition. Like many Catholics, growing up in a Roman Catholic family, I assumed that

(Photo from the Facebook page of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Manama) There is something profoundly human about our desire to journey toward sacred places. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have set out on pilgrimages—leaving behind their daily routines to encounter God in a special way. These journeys often lead to shrines, holy places that hold deep meaning for the faithful. But what exactly is a shrine, and why does pilgrimage remain such an essential p

Dear brothers and sisters,   May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you!   Exactly a year ago this month, we solemnly closed an exceptional time of grace in our life as People of God—the Jubilee commemorating the 1500th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Arethas and Companions.  On October 24, we once again celebrate the feast of these holy martyrs of Arabia.   A year after the Jubilee, we pause to ask: What have we learned? How have our lives been touched?   We have come

The conclusion of the Synod on Synodality in October 2024 marks a historic milestone for the universal Church. Pope Francis described...

Today, November 29, the Catholic Church commemorates Saint Jacob of Serug , a great saint from the East, whose life and writings are...

As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee of the Lord under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the recent extraordinary...

The coming Jubilee of the Lord, which marks 2,025 years since Christ entered human history, is a momentous occasion for the universal...

The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia welcomes with great joy the official addition of St. Isaac of Nineveh to the Roman Martyrology...

Today, we celebrate Saint Arethas and his Companions, the conclusion of the Jubilee in their honor, and most importantly, we celebrate...

The Extraordinary Jubilee of St. Arethas and Companions offered the Church in Arabia a profound opportunity to reconnect with its ancient...

The aftermath of the Najran massacre reveals a multifaceted picture of faith, survival, and reconciliation.

Saint Arethas and his companion martyrs! Who are they? Who are these people? I have never heard their names! I think many of you asked...

As part of the Jubilee celebrations, pilgrimage to the place of martyrdom of St. Arethas and Companions is being promoted, which with the...

How does the Lord call one to a religious vocation? For me, it first happened in the quiet stillness of dawn, when the world was still...

In mid-October 2015, I left my home country, the Philippines, for the first time to work in the Gulf, joining the ranks of millions of...

In 2016, a young family faced a heart-wrenching dilemma when doctors delivered devastating news: their unborn baby had multiple...

Exploring the mystical and sacred paths of St. Arethas is a remarkable journey into courage and sanctity. St. Arethas, also known as...

Are you looking to deepen your spiritual practice and connect with a community of like-minded individuals? The Confraternity of St....