Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

The Governorate of the Vatican City State has launched a new app, and it is dedicated to St. Carlo Acutis. The app offers the info from the website www.vaticanstate.va. This site shouldn’t be confused with Vatican News or vatican.va — the latter has the texts of the popes’ messages and audiences. The governorate is led by Read More…

Vatican City State launches free app, entrusted to St. Carlo Acutis

The episcopal conference of Venezuela issued a brief message after the United States captured the nation’s president, urging the people to persevere in prayer, and expressing solidarity with the families of those who were killed. An official report of the number of victims has not been released, but Cuba has said that 32 of its Read More…

Venezuela bishops urge their people to pray

There are two paths that quietly appear as the years add their rings to our lives. One slopes downward into complaint, bitterness, and fixation on loss. The other curves toward gratitude, humor, encouragement, and a gentler wisdom of an elder. Aging itself is neutral; attitude determines whether the years harden the heart or deepen wisdom. Read More…

Aging gracefully: Avoiding the Grumpy Path

Republicans presently control the White House and both chambers of Congress, but their majorities in both legislative chambers are narrow. | Credit: roibu/Shutterstock Jan 5, 2026 / 06:00 am (CNA). Key elections in November 2026 could reshape t... [...]

Reading the lives of the saints is often a fascinating endeavor, as you get to learn more about the person behind the statue that you see every Sunday or the portrait that hangs on the wall of your local parish. Saints can seem at first glance like static figures, men and women who were born Read More…

St. John Neumann was a bookworm and a talented painter

The Pittsburgh Steelers knew they needed to win on Sunday, January 5, otherwise their season was over. The back-and-forth game came down to the wire, with the Steelers clinching the win after the Baltimore Ravens missed a field goal in the game’s final seconds. But it was something that happened before the game that really Read More…

A priest blessed the Steelers. Then they clinched a playoff spot

“I savor the silence, I savor this presence, and I find the presence of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I didn’t think I’d stay so long because I had to work, but I’m going home deeply moved.” A 35-year-old woman who came straight from Switzerland shared this moving testimony with Geneviève Rey, a volunteer who Read More…

Sudden influx of pilgrims to Sacred Heart site after film

The language and imagery used by the leadership within the Catholic Church concerning immigration is highly distorted.

I was quiet as my book club discussed a book of Christmas stories. As I listened, my mind roved over the busy year reaching its close. Then I remembered last December and knew I had [...]

Jan 5, 2026 / 05:00 am (CNA).

Nearly 2 million people will parade through streets Tuesday in one of Europe's largest Catholic public celebrations, as the Three Kings Procession marks Epiphany across 941 cities and towns nationwide.

The annual event, known as Orszak Trzech Króli (Three Kings Procession), draws participants who dress as biblical characters, wear paper crowns, and sing Christmas carols while following figures representing the Magi to nativity scenes set up in public squares. EWTN Poland will broadcast the main Warsaw procession live in English for the first time, beginning at 11 a.m. local time.

Last year, an estimated 2 million people participated in the processions across 905 locations in Poland and abroad, according to Vatican News. This year's event expands to 941 communities — 36 more than in 2025.

"We have prepared 600,000 crowns, 150,000 songbooks with Christmas carols, and 200,000 stickers," said Piotr Giertych, president of the Three Kings Procession Foundation. In Warsaw alone, about 50,000 participants marched in 2025.

From school project to national tradition

The first Three Kings street parade took place in Warsaw in 2009 as an extension of a nativity play performed by students from a local school. Since Epiphany became a national holiday in Poland in 2011, the processions have grown steadily, spreading to cities and towns across the country.

This year's slogan, "Rejoice in Hope," echoes the Church's Jubilee Year theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," which concludes Tuesday. The phrase comes from the 17th-century Polish Christmas carol "Mędrcy świata, monarchowie" ("Wise Men of the World, Monarchs") by Stefan Bortkiewicz.

"We are referring to the Jubilee Year, which ends on Jan. 6 in the Catholic Church and was held under the motto 'Pilgrims of Hope,'" said Anna Murawska, the event's director. "Therefore, during the procession, we will hear a lot not only about maintaining hope in everyday life, but above all — trusting God, His mercy, and meeting Him in heaven."

Polish President Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocki sent a message to participants emphasizing the processions' message of reconciliation.

"May the image of three monarchs who, despite adversity, pursued their goal — peace and reconciliation — inspire us all to build relationships based on mutual solidarity, understanding, and respect," the presidential couple wrote.

The ceremonial procession draws on Poland's native traditions of nativity plays and caroling, while also incorporating elements from similar Epiphany parades in Spain and Mexico. Warsaw's procession begins at the Copernicus Monument and proceeds up Krakowskie Przedmieście to Castle Square, where participants sing carols together in the city center.

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