On Dec. 16, we are just nine days until Christmas! The Church’s liturgy begins today to make a shift: the first part of Advent is far more eschatological, focusing on Jesus’ Second Coming and our need ...

TURIN, Italy — An Italian priest named Father Charles Vachetta is credited with writing a novena in 1721 to inspire his parishioners during Advent. Today, that novena is known as the “Christmas Novena ...

SCOTCH PLAINS — On Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Scotch Plains will kick off its nine-day Simbang Gabi Advent Novena as part of parish preparations for the Christmas ...

SCOTCH PLAINS — On Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Scotch Plains will begin its nine-day Simbang Gabi Advent Novena as part of its preparations for the Christmas season.

There's something beautiful and stunning about rising at 4:30 a.m. and walking through the predawn darkness to attend Simbang Gabi, a yearly nine-day Advent novena that began in the Philippines. The ...