David

In 2026, Easter Sunday will fall on March 29, one of the earliest dates it can occur in the liturgical calendar. This early celebration invites the faithful to reflect on both the mystery of the Resurrection and the rhythm of time that shapes the Church’s spiritual life.

A Mother of Perpetual Help icon, created in the cubist tradition by David Anthony, was originally presented to Fr William Stinson, the founder of the Brighton Redemptorist publishing house in Melbourne.

The Holy Year will officially end on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. The year has been marked by deep spiritual renewal, mercy, and unity. A Holy Year – or Jubilee – is a special period of grace in the Catholic tradition, inviting believers to reconciliation with God, renewal of faith, and service to others.

On my recent visit to Japan, I was struck by the politeness of the people. With a population of around 123 million, some pedestrian and driver rudeness was expected but there was none.

In 2026 we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Saint Gerard Majella’s birth. St Gerard is close to our hearts as he was a Redemptorist brother and The Majellan magazine was named in his honour.

The feast day of St Carlo Acutis, who was canonised in early September in Rome, will be celebrated annually on October 12. His feast day will coincide with the anniversary of his death in 2006 at the age of fifteen from leukemia.

As we enter another Advent season and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also start to think about the various Christmas traditions that fill our calendar. For many, this means decorating their house with strands of Christmas lights that provide a sparkling reminder of the joy of the season.