Carnival, a feast of traditional foods
The origins of Carnival can be traced back to very ancient festivities such as the Roman Saturnalia or the Greek Anthesteria. At the end of this period, known for its hearty meals, is Shrove Tuesday, which in every part of the world offers rich and tasty food, from cicerchiata in Italy to papo de anjo in Brazil. Then comes Ash Wednesday and the time of Lent, when people are particularly called to fasting and conversion.
- THE RECIPE: NEAPOLITAN CHIACCHIERE
The Passion of St Joseph, two theories compared
What was the source of St Joseph’s inner turmoil in the face of Mary’s divine motherhood? Two different interpretations of the scant Gospel story have emerged over time. They are known as the ‘respect’ theory and the ‘suspicion’ theory. Both postulate Joseph’s renowned justness, but differ as to when Mary’s spouse learned of the mystery of the Incarnation and what motivated him to dismiss her in secret. Let us look at them together.
Padre Pio and the Spanish flu, a saint facing the pandemic
The Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people between 1918 and 1920, also affected Padre Pio and his family. His sister Felicita and nephew Pellegrino died from the virus. The saint from Pietrelcina lived through this further suffering by submitting everything to God's will. He made a vow, committing himself to pray only for others, and thanks to his intercession many were healed. The Daily Compass interviews Stefano Campanella, author of the book “La pandemia di Padre Pio”.
Lent, a joyous occasion to encounter Christ
With today's celebration we begin a journey which should make us aware that, every day, the truth of Christ is represented to us; that is, we are called to rediscover the beneficial strength of His presence on a daily basis and to understand that the path the Church invites us to walk is a secure path.
Blocking puberty, an irresponsible experiment
London, an experiment conducted on 44 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years with diagnosed gender dysphoria: they were given puberty blockers to postpone their physical development. According to the researchers, who published the results in Plos One, they are now “happier”. But in the meantime, the treatment has had irreversible consequences on their physical growth, and there is no guarantee that they will remain happy when they reach 18.
Each of us is called to fight against the lies in the Church
The best term to describe the current state of the Church is confusion, that is regarding the very identity of the Church. Each of us, as living members of the Mystical Body of Christ, is called to fight the good fight against evil and the Evil One, and to stay the course of the good, the course of God, with Christ. There is confusion about the very nature of the Church and its relationship to the world.
Saint Valentine, when love is tinged with martyrdom
February 14 is universally known as Valentine’s Day, a celebration day for lovers. At the origin of an anniversary that is now mainly commercial lies the extraordinary story of a saint who was martyred for blessing the marriage of a Roman legionnaire who had converted to marry a young Christian.
Sara, the little “saint” who heals family wounds
A tragic and sudden death at only three and a half years old, breaks the hearts of an entire family already excruciatingly traversed by pain. Yet the story of Sara Mariucci, a little girl from Gubbio, and of Mummy Morena, Our Lady of Copacabana venerated in Bolivia, over time reveals itself to be an immense story of God's love. So much so that streams of faithful flock to Sara's tomb today to pray to her like a saint.
How Covid has masked our faces (like slaves)
Power needs to destroy social relations, to create lonely, easily manipulated individuals. It has even legitimised the fact of having to mask one's face. But how can you have a relationship with another person without seeing his or her face? The human face is the one part of the body that must always be uncovered and not hidden. It is no coincidence that in ancient Greece the slave was defined as faceless, and therefore without dignity.
Biden changes policy in the Gulf, a pro-Iran turnaround
Although it’s not yet clear whether we are facing a real turnaround, or only propaganda tactics, the Biden administration immediately makes it clear which side it is on in the Gulf: a stop to military aid to the Saudis and Emiratis in their war in Yemen, the rehabilitation of the Houthi (Shiites, pro-Iran), and new nuclear agreements with Tehran.
Time reveals the plot to "save democracy" from Trump
Judging by the solid alignment of media, big business and social movements against Trump, you'd think there had been a plot to ensure he lost the presidential election. Ironically, it turns out there really was one and its key players are bragging about it in Time magazine, believing they were acting in defence of democracy.
