O key of David and sceptre of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come and lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Why do we have devotion to St Joseph and how did his cult grow over the centuries? Discover the history of this devotion in this blog.

The Christmas story traditionally shows a giant star hovering above the stable in Bethlehem, guiding the wise men to the infant Christ. What was this star and how did it lead the Magi? Here are six fascinating things to learn about the Star of Bethlehem, with astrophysicist-turned Catholic priest Fr Douglas McGonagle.

"Love thy neighbour" is a radical call to love without conditions, without calculation, without expecting any reward. It’s tough. And sometimes we don't like this teaching. We are called to a sacrificial love that seems to go beyond the normal call of duty and even beyond what seems reasonable. Learn how to joyfully respond to Jesus's challenging commandment in this blog.

Who was the 13-year-old girl that the Mother of God herself chose to appear to in Lourdes in 1858? Before her life was changed dramatically by the events of Lourdes, St Bernadette was a simple girl from a poor family. Described as being a "dreamy and careless child", unlike the Fatima children there was nothing in St Bernadette's life before Lourdes that explicitly and overtly pointed to a deep holiness. Learn about the life of a girl who would one day become a visionary in this blog.

Six weeks into Italy’s lockdown, Pope Francis stood there before a large dark wooden crucifix, praying for an end to the pandemic. In 1522, as a violent plague struck Rome, this same crucifix was carried in a penitential procession. When the crucifix was returned, the plague had completely ceased. Fifty years later, another shepherd, also barefoot and with a crucifix in his hand, went on pilgrimage through the streets of his own city, calling for mercy for his flock afflicted by the plague.