What's New

Even while Spain is a European Union member country with much more open borders and integration into Europe, Catholicism has a near monopoly on the religious life of the country.

Liturgy is inculturated in a number of interesting ways. The Jewish origins of Catholic liturgy become even more apparent when Mass is celebrated in Hebrew.

In a country created and shaped by immigration, temporary foreign workers and refugees — from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and parts of Africa — comprise a sizable Catholic contingent.

Post-biblical Catholic saints seem not to occupy a particularly significant place in the religious imaginations of Hebrew-speaking Catholics.

The Hebrew-speaking Catholic community was founded by — and still is composed of — men and women who by birth and self-understanding belong to the Jewish people, and Catholics who come from non-Jewish backgrounds but emigrated with Jewish family members. Most seek to find Catholic ways of living that harmonize with Jewish culture.

Each of Israel's Catholic communities is defined by particular hopes, aspirations and cultural bonds, and each faces a different challenge in defining itself in relation to Judaism and the state of Israel.

Many Filipinos rise before dawn for Easter celebrations, which often begin with a ritual procession called Salubong, or welcome. At Salubong, a statue of Mother Mary, dressed in mourning and carried by the women of the town, meets and welcomes a statue of the Risen Christ, carried by the men.

San Pedro Cutud, a barangay in San Fernando City, Pampanga province, has become infamous as a site of a senakulo that aims to more fully replicate the bloodiest and most violent aspects of Jesus’ Passion. The rites, known as Maleldo, are not endorsed by the church, but do have local popular and political support, notably from the tourist bureau.

In Bustos, Bulacan, north of Manila, Holy Wednesday and Good Friday are marked with significant processions. Many members of the community are owners and custodians of large caros, holy statues that are processed on a carozza in the procession.

On Good Friday, Catholic churches nationwide provide an opportunity for Pahalik, kissing a statue of the dead body of Christ in front of the altar.