Pic above: Christmas 2013 by Tom Long, age 7 from Dunboyne, Co Meath.
“The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded.
That is what the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in Bethlehem:
“Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which will come to all the people” (Lk 2:10)”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) 23
- Advent Calendar
Follow the last few days of our online Advent Calendar by clicking here.
- Prayers for peace for our fellow Christians in the Holy Land
As we approach Christmas, the time when we celebrate the coming of Christ into our world, Bishops ask for prayers for peace for those in conflict anywhere in the world. Bishops prayed for, and extended solidarity to, our fellow Christians in the Holy Land. Bishops called upon the international community to assist in every way possible to achieve a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Bishops prayed for all Christians around the world who are persecuted and murdered because of their faith. – Statement of Irish Bishops’ Winter 2013 General Meeting.
- Pope Francis’ Christmas Calendar
Please click here for details of the ceremonies and events which Pope Francis will participate in during the month of December.
Please click here for photos, video and texts from the Holy Father during the Christmas season.
- Homilies and Messages for Christmas
Christmas 2013 message from Cardinal Seán Brady to the People of Ireland
click here
Christmas Message from Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor – click here
Additional Christmas Messages and Homilies from Irish Bishops will be posted here as they become available.
- Broadcast of Services for Christmas
Tuesday 24 December – Christmas Eve:
23.00- 12 midnight on RTÉ One Television – Midnight Mass: Fr John Cummins, Administrator of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, celebrates the birth of Christ with a Mass that is simulcast on RTÉ Radio One and digital platforms, with music led by Marian Gaynor and the Cathedral Parish Choir. (A shared broadcast with RTÉ Radio One.)
Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day
10.00-11.00 on RTÉ One Television – Mass for Christmas Day: Principal Celebrant the Most Reverend Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, celebrates the birth of Jesus with a simulcast Mass from the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, with music from the Cathedral Parish Choir, directed by Marian Gaynor. The Mass will be shared with broadcasters across Europe via Eurovision and is also simulcast on RTÉ Radio 1xtra / LW252 and RTÉ Digital Platforms.
1100-1130 on RTÉ One Television – Urbi et Orbi: Live coverage of Pope Francis’ first Christmas Message “to the City and the World,” from Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, with English translation and commentary by Fr Thomas McCarthy, O.P.
1130-1215 on RTÉ One Television – Service for Christmas Day: The Rev. Gary Mason leads a Worship Group from the East Belfast Mission in a Methodist Service of celebration, in the RTÉ Studios, Donnybrook. (The same service can be heard on RTÉ Radio 1xtra / LW252 and RTÉ digital platforms at the slightly earlier time of 11.00am.)
1215-1225 on RTÉ One Television – Christmas Message: The Archbishops of Armagh, His Eminence Cardinal Séan Brady and the Most Rev. Richard Clarke, the Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates and Archbishops of Armagh, share their thoughts and prayers for the Christmas season.
1830–1930 on RTÉ Two Television: Carols from Dublin Castle.
1000-1100 Réalta Órga Ríogacha: Clár álainn atmaisféarach le smaointe, iomainn agus ceol na Nollag curtha i láthair ag an Athair Brian Ó Fearraigh, Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal. (An atmospheric start to Christmas morning with hymns, Christmas thoughts and music presented by Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh.)
- Services in Dioceses
Click here for details of Christmas at Saint Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin.
Other diocesan details will be published here as they become available.
- Christmas at Veritas
Click here for details of the range of Christmas gifts and reading from Veritas.