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Mount Melleray Abbey in Ireland to become a University Campus for Ave Maria University

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Mount Melleray Abbey was a historic Cistercian (Trappist) monastery on the slopes of the Knockmealdown Mountains near Cappoquin, County Waterford. It was founded in 1833 as the first post-Reformation Cistercian house established in Ireland in the post-Reformation period. It has served as a major Trappist community for nearly 200 years.

It was officially closed as an active monastic community in early 2025. By the time it closed, the community was down to single figures, yet the facilities were still there in a beautiful, peaceful setting.

Now, Ave Maria University is planning to use the famous monastery as a campus, keeping it open for Catholic purposes. Ave Maria University was founded by Tom Monaghan, who created Domino’s Pizza and his known for his Catholic philanthropic works.

Their main campus is Ave Maria, Florida.

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New exhibit at the Vatican: “Peter is here”

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“Pétros ení” (“Peter is here”) is an immersive exhibition exploring the story of the apostle Peter and the world’s largest Christian basilica. A journey that weaves together spirituality, art and technology in a unique blend of past and present.

The exhibition itinerary unfolds inside the Octagonal Halls, historic spaces located within one of the pillars supporting the Dome. These halls have been expertly restored for the occasion by the skilled artisans of the Fabbrica di San Pietro and opened to the public for the first time for this occasion.

The narrative journey follows two paths. One reveals the origins of the Basilica and its construction history, focusing on the tomb of Saint Peter. The other guides the visitor through the key events of the apostle’s life, up to his martyrdom. The story of Peter is interwoven with that of the Basilica, which is shown as it evolves through the centuries.

“Pétros ení: Saint Peter’s Digital Experience” is therefore a temporal and spiritual journey built around the figure of Saint Peter and the relevance of his testimony, which lives on reflected in the history of the Basilica and its living community.

The full experience lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes check-in at the meeting point, the transfer to the Octagonal Halls, the immersive exhibition (approx. 30 minutes), and access to the Vatican Grottoes, from where the self-guided Basilica tour with the Digital Audio Guide begins.

The project is the result of a wider collaboration between the Fabbrica di San Pietro, Microsoft, Iconem and other international partners. It centres on a process that made it possible to digitise Saint Peter’s Basilica in 3D using over 400,000 photographs, creating a faithful ‘digital twin’, supported in addition by artificial intelligence.

According to the Vatican, “This model not only allows visitors to virtually explore the Basilica in a totally innovative way — through a journey that began over two thousand years ago — but that also serves as a powerful tool for the maintenance, management and preservation of the immense artistic heritage contained within it“.

Source: Vatican News Service

Click here for the official website of the exhibit, including times and prices.

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Did you know that Parmesan Cheese was Catholic?

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Parmesan cheese, known as Parmigiano-Reggiano in its authentic form, originated in the Middle Ages (around the 12th–13th century) in the northern Italian region now comprising parts of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, specifically around the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna (west of the Reno River), and Mantua (south of the Po River).

A 1254 notarial document from Genoa mentions “caseus parmensis” (cheese from Parma), and similar references appear in Parma and other cities.

It was originally produced by Benedictine and Cistercian monks in the area between Parma and Reggio Emilia, the heart of Italy’s “Food Valley” and the historic Emilia region, located along the ancient Via Aemilia. This fertile Po River plain area features rolling hills, castles, and historic villages like Colorno and Fontanellato who developed the technique of making large, hard, long-aging wheels, which help preserve milk in a region with hot summers and limited refrigeration to ensure even aging as well as for for efficient, historic transportation (rolling). The circular shape prevents mold from accumulating in sharp corners, allows for a consistent rind to form, and helps maintain a balanced moisture level throughout the cheese during maturation.

The cheese’s characteristic large wheels (about 84–100 lbs/ 38-45 kg each), granular texture, and ability to age for years were innovations that made it famous and valuable for trade across Europe as early as the 14th century (e.g., mentioned by Boccaccio in the Decameron, c. 1350).

Since 1996, Parmigiano-Reggiano is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product in the EU.

Only cheese made in the defined geographic zone, following strict traditional methods (raw cow’s milk, natural whey starter, no additives, minimum 12 months aging) can legally be called Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The term “Parmesan” is the anglicized/generic name and is used globally (especially in the U.S.) for similar hard grating cheeses, often with different production rules.

Here is one website that we think you will find interesting.

The website devoted to Parmesan (parmigianoreggiano.com) is in Italian….the English version is not active….it refers to itself as “still aging”…..quite a play on words!

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Where are Catholics traveling in 2026?

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When  the 2025 Jubilee Year (“Pilgrims of Hope”) concluded on January 6, 2026, Catholic travel was poised for a dynamic shift. The Jubilee drew an estimated 32–35 million pilgrims to Italy in 2025, nearly tripling typical annual visitor numbers and straining infrastructure with massive crowds, higher prices, and extended wait times at sites like St. Peter’s Basilica.

In 2026, we expect to see a renewed interest in Catholic travel, as pilgrims who delayed trips due to the estimated crowds in 2025, are now ready to book their trips.

This shift will emphasize itineraries such as the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.  It will draw crowds to Assisi with over 150,000 reservations already for early 2026 viewings of his relics. Nearby Padua, and Loreto, Italy, will no doubt be draws as well….and, of course, Rome will continue to draw hundreds of thousands.

Broader trends include “transformational” pilgrimages blending faith with culture, multi-generational groups, and emerging destinations in Asia and Latin America, aligning with global travel’s focus on immersive experiences.

Sacred Coeur Basilica

There will continue to be interest in organized travel packages, with companies such as Select International Tours leading the way, offering daily Masses, priest-led spiritual direction, and well-planned itineraries as major highlights. 

Word from Select International Tours is that France is the most popular itinerary at this time (The re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after the disastrous fire is a big draw) as well as such places as Lisieux, home of Saint Teresa of Lisieux (the Little Flower), Lourdes, or river cruises along Rhine/Danube with Catholic speakers on board are in great demand.

Some destinations and itineraries are attracting new interest:

Less-visited countries such as Vietnam (Marian shrines), India (Saint Thomas sites), Peru (Lima’s cathedrals), Cuba (Our Lady of Charity), and Sweden/Norway (Nordic Catholic heritage) are receiving increased attention.

Walking pilgrimages, such as Camino Santiago (The Way of Saint James) shown on the left, El Santuario de Chimayó (New Mexico), or Three Hearts Pilgrimage (National shrines in Oklahoma) continue to gain in popularity, with multi-day hikes emphasizing personal growth and community.

Practical Tips:

Book Early: Secure spots 6–12 months ahead and use operators offering flexible cancellations. Most importantly, we strongly advise travel insurance. Bookings are already filling up fast via operators like Select International Tours.

Overall, 2026 promises a more balanced, introspective Catholic travel landscape—transforming the Jubilee’s energy into personalized journeys of hope and discovery. For tailored itineraries, check resources from the USCCB or operators like Select International Tours.

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What about the Catholic Churches in Iran?

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Iran is in the news, again….is this the time that the Mullahs are finally overturned? Hard news is difficult to come by, so we try to glean as much as possible from various reliable sources.

Catholic churches in Iran primarily belong to Eastern rites, mainly the Chaldean Catholic Church (Aramaic liturgy) and the Armenian Catholic Church, with a much smaller Latin (Roman) Rite presence, mostly for foreigners, with key locations in Tehran, Urmia, Isfahan, and Ahvaz, offering spiritual centers despite being a minority faith in a predominantly Muslim nation.

Chaldean Catholic Church: The largest Catholic body in Iran, with archdioceses in Tehran and Urmia, and dioceses in Ahvaz and Salmas, celebrating in Aramaic.

Armenian Catholic Church: Also present in Iran, with an Eparchy (diocese) in Isfahan, known for churches such as Surp Grigor Lusavorich.

Latin (Roman) Rite: A smaller community, mainly expatriates, with centers in Tehran (like the Cathedral of the Consolata) and Isfahan.

Key Churches & Centers in Iran:

Tehran: St. Joseph’s (Chaldean), Cathedral of the Consolata (Latin), Surp Grigor Lusavorich (Armenian).

Urmia: A significant center for the Chaldean Church, with the Cathedral of St. Mary the Mother of God.

Isfahan: Features the Armenian eparchy and Latin Rite churches like the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in New Julfa.

Ahvaz: Home to a Chaldean Archeparchy.

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South American shrine reports record numbers

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According to official shrine sources, over the course of 2025, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil, welcomed 10,486,118 pilgrims, according to statistics released in the first week of January 2026; a 15 percent increase compared with 2024, when 9,057,885 faithful made the journey to Brazil’s principal Marian sanctuary.

The Shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida (Nossa Senhora Aparecida), the principal patroness of Brazil. The devotion traces back to October 1717, when three fishermen (Domingos Martins Garcia, João Alves, and Filipe Pedroso) cast their nets in the Paraíba do Sul River after a fruitless day of fishing. They miraculously recovered a small, dark clay statue of the Virgin Mary in two pieces (body first, then head), after which their nets filled with fish. This event was seen as a miraculous sign, and the statue became known as Our Lady of Aparecida (“the Appeared One”).

Click here to learn more about the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil.

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First new Catholic School in Finland due to open August 2026

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Finland’s first new Catholic school, the Helsinki Catholic School, is set to open in August 2026, following the national curriculum with Catholic values and welcoming students of all beliefs, marking a significant development for the growing Catholic community in the nation.

While there are no existing Catholic schools, Finland provides Catholic religious education in public schools when requested by parents in a municipality request it, alongside other faiths like Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.  Catholic parishes also provide catechesis and sacramental preparation (like First Communion). 

Note:  the word ”first” in some announcements online is not to be understood historically but only in the sense that there is no other catholic school in Finland at the moment. There were a few (but very small) catholic schools already a hundred years ago, and a famous one, the English School was founded in 1945, and remained Catholic until 1995.

The curriculum will follow the Finnish national curriculum, but incorporates Catholic values and a distinct Catholic curriculum for moral/cultural education. Admission is open to all children, regardless of faith, with participation in religious activities being voluntary. The aim is to provide a faith-based education within Finland’s secular system, starting with preschool and grades 1-3.

This new school addresses the needs of a growing Catholic population and fills a gap in faith-based education, as Finland’s strong public system traditionally emphasizes secular education.

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The Blood of Saint Januarius liquefies on December 16, 2025

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The miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius, patron saint of Naples, Italy, occurred again on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

According to the Archdiocese of Naples, the miracle took place after Mass in the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of Saint Januarius on the feast of the patronage of Saint Januarius.

The blood of Saint Jamuarius liquefies“At 9:13 a.m. local time, the blood already appeared semi-liquid. At 10:05 a.m., the complete liquefaction was announced,” the archdiocese reported.

December 16 is the third of three annual celebrations in honor of the martyred saint. This date commemorates the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631, when the Neapolitans requested and obtained the miraculous intervention of Saint Januarius to prevent the lava from engulfing the city.

You can read more about the Blood of Saint Januarius in the Cathedral in Naples here.

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Been there, done that? Here are some alternative Catholic destinations in Europe (according to Grok)

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For those who hate crowds…or have already seen the “biggies” such as Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, etc. we thought we would list a few less-visited, and therefor less-crowded, destinations in Europe.

OK, we cheated a bit here…we asked Grok (the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot from Elon Musk’s company xAI) the question: “Alternative catholic travel destinations in Europe”  …we wondered if Grok knew as much as we did!

We got some interesting answers from Grok. Most were familiar to us, a couple were not…and some Grok missed entirely….

I guess Grok is human after all! But then, so are we. We’ll give Grok a grade of A- and ourselves a B+ ( because we are the experts and should have not missed those two).

Here, according to Grok, are some outstanding “alternative” Catholic pilgrimage or travel destinations in Europe—”places that are deeply Catholic, historically rich, and spiritually powerful”.   

Note: We have also added links to pages on our site for more details (we’re working on the two that we missed).

Austria

Mariazell: The most important Marian shrine in Central Europe, revered by Hungarians, Croats, Slovenes, and Austrians alike. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariazell (Magna Mater Austriae) has been venerated since 1157.

Croatia

Križevc:  Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

France

La Salette (French Alps): 1846 apparition of the weeping Virgin.

Lisieux & Normandy: Home of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (the most visited saint’s shrine in France after Lourdes). Grok missed a couple of other places in Normandy.

Paray-le-Monial: Sacred Heart apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Pellevoisin:  Apparitions of Our Lady of Mercy to Estelle Faguette (1876), approved apparition.

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Cap-de-la-Madeleine: (Quebec is too far, so European equivalent: the Tro Breiz in Brittany, France)
The ancient Breton pilgrimage circuit visiting the tombs of the seven founding saints of Brittany. A week-long walking route that is being revived.  Well, we missed this one!  But we do have the one in Quebec.

Souvigny the Cluniac “Holy Trinity”
And, another one we missed…we will get to work on it.  The burial place of SS. Mayeul and Odilo, two of the greatest abbots of Cluny. Sometimes called the “Cluny’s “third mausoleum” after Rome and Santiago.

Germany

Altötting: Germany’s most important Marian shrine (the “Lourdes of Germany”) and the nearby birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI. The octagonal Gnadenkapelle with its silver urns containing the hearts of Bavarian kings is unforgettable.

Kevelaer: The largest Marian pilgrimage site in northwestern Europe (2nd only to Altötting in Germany). 17th-century “Consolation of the Afflicted” image that attracts over 1 million pilgrims a year—yet almost unknown outside the German/Dutch/Belgian border region.

Wigratzbad:  Major apparition site of Our Lady (1936–) and the place where the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) was born.

Hungary

Máriapócs (Hungary):  Weeping icon of the Mother of God (Byzantine Catholic)

Sire:  National shrine of Hungary, coronation church of Hungarian kings.  There are some popular guitars being sold in Hungary under the name Sire, but we think Grok actually meant The Matthias Church (Church of Our Lady) in Budapest’s Castle District,

Italy

Assisi….Grok called it “the Umbrian Holy Valleys”
Here is what Grok had to say…..Beyond the main basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, visit the hidden hermitages: Eremo delle Carceri, La Verna (where Francis received the stigmata), and the tiny Sanctuario di Greccio (the first living nativity scene in 1223).

Monte Sant’Angelo (the oldest Western shrine to St. Michael the Archangel) Grok got this one right..it is one of the most visited pages on our site (not sure why,with over 1,000 pages, but it is extremely popular).

San Giovanni Rotondo (Shrine of Padre Pio)

Subiaco & the Sacro Speco  St. Benedict’s cave, cradle of Western monasticism

Slovakia:

Šaštin-Stráže. National shrine of Slovakia – Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, patroness of the country. A beautiful baroque basilica that almost no Western tourists visit.

Slovenia

Žirovci National shrine of Mary Help of Christians

Spain:

Avila (Alba de Tormes).  The walled medieval city of St. Teresa of Ávila plus the Carmelite convents where both she and St. John of the Cross lived and died. Much quieter than Seville or Toledo, yet intensely mystical.

Switzerland:

Einsiedeln.  The “Black Madonna” abbey that has been the spiritual heart of Switzerland for over 1,000 years. Benedictine monastery with perpetual adoration since the 10th century and the largest nativity scene museum in the world.

Sire (Hungary) – National shrine of Hungary, coronation church of Hungarian kings

Wigratzbad (Germany) – Major apparition site of Our Lady (1936–) and the only place where the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) was born

Santo Stefano Rotondo & the Hungarian Chapel in Rome – For Hungarian Catholics, the ancient church with the tomb of St. Stephen of Hungary

Žirovci (Slovenia) – National shrine of Mary Help of Christians

Križevci the Greek-Catholic Cathedral (Croatia – Center of the tiny but vibrant Croatian Greek-Catholic Church

 

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré & Cap-de-la-Madeleine (Quebec is too far, so European equivalent: the Tro Breiz in Brittany, France)
The ancient Breton pilgrimage circuit visiting the tombs of the seven founding saints of Brittany. A week-long walking route that is being revived.

 

 

 

Santo Stefano Rotondo & the Hungarian Chapel in Rome – For Hungarian Catholics, the ancient church with the tomb of St. Stephen of

 – St. Benedict’s cave, cradle of Western monasticism

 

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Three new churches to be built in Île-de-France

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In Île-de-France, three new churches are TO BE BUILT, carried by the Chantiers du Cardinal, which have been supporting the development, renovation, and enhancement of the RELIGIOUS HERITAGE of Île-de-France for nearly 100 years.

• The Saint-Colomban church in Val d’Europe, in Seine-et-Marne.

• The Sainte-Bathilde church in Chelles, in Seine-et-Marne, whose inauguration is scheduled for March 2026.

• The Saint-Joseph-the-Benevolent church in Versailles.

Île-de-France is a region in north-central France. It surrounds Paris.

Here the website for Chantiers du Cardinal