Catholic Martyrs of the Third Reich
Twelve years of Nazi rule produced many Catholic martyrs. GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER looks at some of those who died for resisting the regime in Germany and Austria. When Germany’s surrender on May 7, 1945 —...
Category: Simmermacher
Path To The Passion: Jesus Dies On the Cross – And Christ Is Risen
Follow Jesus’ Path to the Passion In this five-part series we will follow the paths of Jesus in the weeks and days before his crucifixion. By its nature, this will be a subjective interpretation...
Path to the Passion: The Two Trials Of Jesus
Follow Jesus’ Path to the Passion In this five-part series we will follow the paths of Jesus in the weeks and days before his crucifixion. By its nature, this will be a subjective interpretation...
Path to the Passion: Jesus’ Last Supper And Arrest In The Garden
Follow Jesus’ Path to the Passion In this five-part series we will follow the paths of Jesus in the weeks and days before his crucifixion. By its nature, this will be a subjective interpretation...
Path To The Passion: Jesus Takes On The Ruling Classes
Follow Jesus’ Path to the Passion In this five-part series we will follow the paths of Jesus in the weeks and days before his crucifixion. By its nature, this will be a subjective interpretation...
Path to the Passion: The Raising of Lazarus
Follow Jesus’ Path to the Passion In this five-part series we will follow the paths of Jesus in the weeks and days before his crucifixion. By its nature, this will be a subjective interpretation...
Günther Simmermacher: 25 Years in One Place
Once upon a time, The Southern Cross didn’t want me. In September 1994, I responded to an advertisement in this newspaper for the vacant position of journalist. I was duly invited for an interview...
This Was 2019 – Highlights and Lowlights of the Year
It was a year in which Church leaders talked tough on abuse, the pope visited our neighbourhood, South Africa was rocked by violence against women and foreign nationals, the world’s youth met in Panama,...
The History of a Famous Christmas Carol
‘Once In Royal David’s City’ was written as a catechism for children; today it is one of the most beloved Christmas carols. Günther Simmermacher looks at its backstory. Musical arrangement can make all the...
The Big Southern Cross Christmas Quiz
25 questions to test your Christmas knowledge! Compiled by Günther Simmermacher 1.In which country may people wish you Merry Christmas by saying: “Mbotama Malamu!” a) Congo b) Ghana c) Kenya 2. Which Gospel reports...
15 Movies to See at Christmas!
There are many Christmas movies, but how many of them are actually good and edifying? Günther Simmermacher picks 15 seasonal films to see. For Catholics, finding suitable Christmas movies is a challenge. Most seasonal...
Getting Close To The Sacred Heart
In October a group of Southern Cross pilgrims travelled through Catholic France, and visited the great places of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, writes Günther Simmermacher. From a village in France’s...
