What's New

  • Pilgrims connect with Jesus along Jordan River
    Posted:
    In recent years the Jordanian government has been promoting tourism at a site on the Jordan River where Jesus is thought to have been baptized.
  • In Jordan, refugees move in, job seekers move on
    Posted:
    Inward and outward migration is a significant reality in Jordanian life. Jordan absorbs refugees from conflicts in neighboring states, while outward migration shrinks the Christian population.
  • Jordanian Catholics observe fasting during Ramadan
    Posted:
    Christians are expected to show deference to the observance of Ramadan in all public settings, by not eating, drinking or smoking during daylight hours.
  • Family rules in Jordanians' social and business matters
    Posted:
    Three aspects of family life came to the fore: the frequency and size of family gatherings, the role of a patriarch and elders in making decisions for others in the extended family, and the significance of one's family origin in public interactions.
  • Introduction: Jordan a safe and moderate Muslim state for Christians
    Posted:
    The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an Islamic state, and has an overwhelmingly Muslim population, but the small Christian community's roots in the country are ancient, long preceding the foundations of Islam.
  • Italians' family size and formation are changing
    Posted:
    Family is among of the first things that come to mind when many Italians and foreigners think of what it means to be Italian. Yet the old image of the large Italian family is at odds with the demographic realities of contemporary Italy.
  • Local exhibits of nativity scenes gain popularity in Italy
    Posted:
    Exhibits of new nativity scenes built by individuals and groups are becoming increasingly popular.
  • Pilgrims still stream to medieval shrine in Italy for San Michele on the Gargano
    Posted:
    A shrine dedicated to the Archangel Michael seems at odds with the post-Vatican II Church in Europe, but in fact is crowded with visitors who come for more than the medieval ambience in its hill town.
  • Recent migration to Italy creates cultural challenge
    Posted:
    In recent years, Italy has absorbed large numbers of migrants from Eastern Europe, North Africa, South Asia and East Asia. For the first time in centuries, it has faced an imagined multicultural future, and has only slowly been learning how to deal with it.
  • Italians prioritize prayer to Mary; seek power of presence with saints
    Posted:
    The intensity of devotion to Mary and the saints is probably one of the most obvious characteristics of Catholic practice in Italy. Images of the Madonna and a wide variety of saints are often more frequently to be seen than images of Christ, especially in public.