The Gift of the Irish
By Raymond Perrier – Throughout March we are deeply immersed in Lent and the prospect of the end of this...
Church History
St Frances of Rome: The Reluctant Wife who Became a Saint
When 13-year-old Frances of Rome was told to get married, she thought God called her to be a nun. But...
How a Lie Killed a Saint: St Oliver Plunkett
By Jason Scott – In 1681, St Oliver Plunkett was executed in England after a devious priest spread a vicious...
From Our Vaults 87 Years Ago: February 15, 1939
The pope is dead Pope Pius XI died on Friday, February 10, at 5:31am (Roman time) after a third heart...
Who Were the First Catholics in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Question: Where in sub-Saharan Africa (that is, outside North Africa, Ethiopia and Sudan) was the Catholic Church first established? Answer:...
How the Vatican Became Its Own Country: The Lateran Treaty and the “Prisoner of the Vatican”
By Jason Scott – Vatican City is younger than many people realise. The world’s smallest country was established less than...
Celebrating 75 Years of Southern African Hierarchy
By James Katende – This year marks a historic and grace-filled milestone: the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the...
How the Catholic Church Helped Grow Coffee Culture
Coffee originated in Africa, spread to the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually became popular across Europe — with the help of...
Archdiocese of Bloemfontein Marks 75 Years
By Kati Djiane – The Catholic Church in South Africa entered a deeply symbolic and historic season on Sunday, 11 January...
