The meaning of Christmas He brought the truth, the good, the light and the peace that the world needs. He came to free all men and women from the tyrannies that sin brings with it. He offered his life also for his persecutors and for those who hated him, so that they too could attain salvation. So that they could have a happy and lasting life.
That is why today's Christian Christmas
It is party It is a feast of love and freedom, of speaking freely and confidently of the good things that bubble up in the heart, without flinching in the face of adverse environments. A good time to recognize how good and joyful is the reality of marriage and family, how beautiful the smile of a child, how tender the affectionate gaze of a sick grandfather who barely babbles. An opportunity to look at the society in which we live with realism and joy: although there is no lack of difficulties, there is much that can be done to build, with the efforts of all, a world worth living in.
"Jesus, You, lying in a manger, are the bread of my life."
Pope Francis Homily Christmas Mass 2018
Christian Christmas
Bring a invitation to all men of good will so that we may reconsider, so that, respecting the differences, opinions and ways of being of each one of us, let's look for decidedly the important thing: the true good of every human being, above personal selfishness. It is a feast of optimism, light, reconciliation, joy and peace.
"Christmas is you when you illuminate with your life the path of kindness, patience, joy and generosity."
Pope Francis
A few tips
And such optimism, joy and peace will be real if let Jesus be born in our heartsto enlighten them.
These tips are: a) Put on the nativity scene and explain it to the children, and pray there, reliving the scene. b) Go to the Midnight Massor take special care of the Mass of that day. Preparing well with a good confession c) Give something of ourselves to those in need, especially of our time and affection for our family and those close to us.
Mr. Francisco Varo Pineda Research Director University of Navarra Faculty of Theology Professor of Sacred Scripture
Forum: Benedict XVI, Faith and Reason
What do we talk about in this forum?
On Thursday, December 14, the Omnes Forum "Benedict XVI. La razón y la fe" with the priest Pablo Blanco, winner of the Ratzinger Prize 2023 in November of this year. The colloquium was moderated by Juan Manuel Burgos, president of the Spanish Association of Personalism.
Klinema: enjoy family movies without scares
Parental control of movies
In the digital age, audiovisual entertainment has reached incredible heights, but for parents, trainers, catechists or teachers, the task of filtering inappropriate content can be a challenge, with hardly any parental control tools available. It is against this backdrop that Klinema, an innovative application that offers a filtering solution with values to support entertainment family.
Methos Media
Methos Mediathe company behind Klinema, is dedicated to audiovisual sponsorship and has as its main objective to satisfy the demands of those who are seeking contents and guidance centered on strong and stable family values. With more than a thousand recommended titles, Klinema stands as a beacon for those who want to enjoy a entertainment audiovisual in line with its principles and lifestyle.
Klinema: parental controls how they work
Before diving into a movie, series, or documentary, users explore the catalog of Klinemawhich is constantly updated with the latest news. The application's team of filterers meticulously analyzes each title, classifying them into three levels of intensity and parental control according to their content of violence, sex or profanity.
Three levels of filters
The user has full control by applying one of the three levels of filters offered and setting parental controls. They can enjoy movies or series with "skips" or "silences" in places containing unwanted scenes. In addition, each movie or series tab allows users to add comments on possible filters that might be missing.
Subscription for 24 euros
The annual subscription is priced at 24 euros and allows users to enjoy a wide range of content conveniently screened to exclude inappropriate elements.
Supported systems
It is currently compatible with Google Chrome and Firefoxand works to be compatible with Android TV, giving users more options to enjoy entertainment on their favorite streaming platforms.
For parents looking for a tool to protect their child's account on streaming platforms.
If you subscribe to Klinema, you can watch movies, series and documentaries on your own streaming account (Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, etc.) with the ability to avoid content (violence, sex, profanity) that you do not want thanks to parental controls.
Presentation of the book on the bishop who never took office
Vicente Escrivá SalvadorD. in Humanities (Contemporary History), has conducted a thorough investigation to do justice to a bishop who was never able to take possession of his mitre due to the supporters of Spanish republicanism in the early twentieth century.
A smoking miter
The frustrated appointment of the Dominican friar Bernardino NozaledaThe last archbishop of Manila under Spanish rule, as archbishop of Valencia. Republicans and liberals lit their torches and, shouting "Death to Maura, death to Nozaleda! they inflamed their hosts so that the prelate would neither set foot on Valencian soil nor take possession of his mitre and crosier. And they succeeded.explains Vicente Escrivá in the synopsis of his book:A smoking miter. Bernardino Nozaleda, Archbishop of Valencia. Casus belli for Spanish Republicanism. (EUNSA).
Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated by the author to the CARF Foundation. The general director of the Foundation, Luis Alberto Rosales, presented the author of this story on November 22 at CaixaBank's All in One space in Plaza de Colón, in Madrid, in the presence of His Holiness' nuncio, Bernardito Auza and Cleopaswho, as a Filipino, wanted to tell the story of the last Spanish archbishop of Manila.
The textbook disaster of '98
It is not a religious book, nor about Nozaleda's biography. "It is a book of historical-political themes. It deals with how the instrumentalization of an ecclesiastical appointment served to try to overthrow the so-called 'Short Government' (1903-1904) of Antonio Maura by broad sectors, both of the Liberal Party (Segismundo Moret, the Count of Romanones, José Canalejas...) and of republicanism, both national (Miguel Morayta, Lerroux) and Valencian (Blasco Ibáñez, Rodrigo Soriano). The 'odium against Maura' was channeled through the 'odium' against Nozaleda," explains Vicente Escrivá.
The Disaster of '98 shocked the country, plunging it into a political, moral and cultural pessimism that would mark and give its name to a whole generation of intellectuals and writers of the time. The republicans, through a 'well-armed' press characterized by its Jacobin anticlericalism, mobilizations and rallies held throughout the length and breadth of the Peninsula, attacked the constitutional regime and everything it represented, in particular the monarchy and the Catholic Church.
smoking miter book event
Last Archbishop of Manila
"The Disaster of '98 did not overthrow the Government, nor did it give rise to a revolutionary process (as in 1830 or 1848), nor was the monarch executed, nor did he go into exile. This disaster had to find some culprits for that hecatomb that shook the country. And those were the friars, called by the anticlericalism of the time as yugo frailuno. And Bernardino Nozaleda was the last Spanish archbishop of Manila, being present there when the plaza surrendered. He was the perfect scapegoat," says the author of the book, who holds a master's degree in Modern History from the University of Valencia.
There has not been a similar case in the contemporary history of Spain: a bishop who cannot take office for political reasons. "Yes, there were some vacant sees due to various circumstances. But no bishop was prevented from taking possession of his mitre, once his appointment was agreed upon by the Vatican and the Government of the day. And even less with death threats if he dared to step on Valencian soil. In fact, Blasco Ibáñez even exhibited a pistol in the Congress of Deputies warning that if Nozaleda stepped on Valencia blood would be spilled in its streets. This is transcribed in the diary of sessions and anyone can consult it", Vicente Escrivá points out.
Anti-clericalism in Spain
The author intends with this book to make known some facts that as Spaniards and also for the Valencians we should know. In addition, according to his research, Freemasonry had a role in these events. It is given the circumstance that, although the Philippines is the third country in number of Catholics, it also increases the number of Catholics in the world. the number of the faithful in the dioceses who join Masonic lodgesFor this reason, the Dicastery for the Faith has published a brief note recalling the incompatibility between Catholicism and Freemasonry.
"The Masons will embody the first manifestations of anticlericalism in liberal Spain, which will give it a radical character, unlike the British Rite Freemasonry. This meant that in time it became incompatible to be a republican and a Catholic at the same time. Freemasonry became an anti-monarchical, anti-Christian, anti-religious revolutionary force. Its cult of secrecy, its complex rituals and its symbology exerted an unquestionable influence on the liberal elites," explains the author of the book.
Bishop Nozaleda fought against Freemasonry
Bishop Nozaleda fought with the courage and zeal of a pastor against Freemasonry in the Philippines. He sent several communications to the successive governors general of the Philippines in which he denounced the maneuvers orchestrated by Freemasonry and the Katipunan (a secret revolutionary association founded by Andres Bonifacio) to prevent Catholic worship, intimidate rural parish priests and carry out all kinds of activities aimed at de-Christianizing the Filipino people. by means of heterodox printed sheets and pamphlets, in which the mysteries of Religion are attacked in a coarse style, and its ministers insulted in various ways..
The book tells how the Spanish Masons never forgave him and when he was recommended to occupy the prestigious Valentina seat, they decided to settle accounts, accusing him of being a traitor and colluding with the enemy.
Today, the most reliable historiography does not question the The role that Freemasonry played in connection with the independence of the Philippines was prominent. Perhaps it was not the determining factor, but it was one of the main contributing factors. And there are the sources to corroborate it since, as the British historian Eric Hobsbawm said: "bad history is not harmless history. It is dangerous."said Vicente Escrivá.
His defense in the Supreme Court
Nozaleda, despite defending himself in the Supreme Court for all the slander against him, (he won the trial) could not take possession of his title and never got to pastor the archdiocese of Valencia.
To avoid further political complications, Nozaleda presented his resignation on May 15, 1905 and it was immediately accepted. Pope St. Pius X, praised his gesture and named him titular archbishop of Petra, and the Dominican priest was able to teach at the Convent of St. Thomas of Avila and later at the Convent of the Rosary in Madrid, where he died as archbishop of Petra. He was senator for the Archdiocese of Valencia in the legislature of 1922-1923.
Set foot on Valencian soil
Escrivá's book also tells how he had the opportunity to visit Valencia on the occasion of the festivities held in 1923 for the canonical coronation of the Virgin of the Forsaken, without the slightest protest against his presence in the city.
Years later, the Count of Romanones himself wrote: "As the years went by, I often saw Nozaleda strolling through the most solitary fronds of the Retiro; upon discovering his haughty bearing and his white stole, I remembered those days of parliamentary tempest where he was so badly treated".
The ring of Alfonso XIII
When he died in 1927, at the age of eighty-two, he was wearing the ring that Alfonso XIII gave him as a gift when he was proclaimed Archbishop of Valencia. One of the first to visit his mortuary chapel was the former military governor of the Philippines, Captain General Valeriano Weyler, accompanied by his sons.
He could not even rest in peace. Misfortune followed him to his grave. He wanted to be buried next to his beloved and venerated master, Cardinal Ceferino González, in the convent of Ocaña. At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War his tomb was desecrated, his mortal remains were lost and the convent was converted into a garage and workshop.
Prologue of the book by Don Antonio Cañizares
The book is prefaced by the Archbishop Emeritus of Valencia, Don Antonio Cañizares, who says: "The biography of the Dominican Fr. Bernardino Nozaleda Villa (San Andrés de Cueña, 1844 - Madrid, 1927), like that of other ecclesiastical figures between the 19th and 20th centuries, is a constant story of personal and pastoral self-improvement in the service of the Church.
In 1889 Leo XIII appointed him archbishop of Manila, where he carried out a great pastoral work visiting the diocese, counteracting the attacks on the Church by the anticlerical press and carrying out an important humanitarian action, especially during the siege of Manila by the American army. This delicate situation that the island was living led him to ask for his resignation, which was accepted by Rome in 1902 and, although he was proposed as archbishop of Valencia, a fierce campaign against his appointment and the unjustified accusations of having collaborated with the Americans in the loss of the Philippines, led him to resign again in 1905, and the Pope named him titular archbishop of Petra in compensation. The protests and the support of the Cardinal of Toledo, Blessed Ciriaco Maria Sancha, Archbishop of Valencia, were of no avail".
Marta SantínJournalist specializing in religious information.
A solidarity fashion show in a Seville store
The solidarity fashion show, in favor of the CARF Foundation, was held in the boutique of Aurora Viu. The event was attended by the mayor of the city of Seville, José Luis Sanz Ruiz, who wanted to accompany the businesswoman in celebrating her thirtieth anniversary in the world of fashion.
At half past eight in the evening, Gustavo Gallardo Street, 12 was a hive of people animated by the youth of the students who had to parade and who had spent a few hours rehearsing so that everything would go as planned.
Fashion and solidarity came together in this event. "Throughout my professional career I have organized many charity fashion shows, but this one, for the benefit of the CARF Foundation, is very special. Today, the training of priests is essential and we must all support it," says Aurora Viu, organizer of the fashion show that commemorated her 30th anniversary in the world of fashion.
This creative and supportive event was attended by the mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz Ruiz, as well as professionals in the field of fashion and business. The capacity was very limited to the capacity and space of the store that had to leave enough space for the models to parade comfortably. The solidarity fashion show could be followed live through the Instagram account, @auroraviumoda.
A fashion show with a lot of tradition
The fashion show was held at the Aurora Viu store, which offers women's and men's clothing, decorative objects, perfumes, classic shoes, trendy accessories, etc.
For years, Aurora has been organizing charity fashion shows, which have already acquired fame and tradition in the city. The businesswoman combines her love of fashion with the organization of events that can help and improve the lives of her clients and non-profit institutions.
The space of the store has several rooms, with a careful decoration. In one of them is located the area for events where all kinds of presentations that go with the profile of the boutique, from protocol classes to styling sessions, automatic makeup, etc. are held.
More than 20 young people in solidarity
The entire infrastructure for the solidarity parade was organized by the students of the Centro de Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño (Center for Higher Artistic Design Education). Music, lighting, the audiovisual production and work plan, the streaming in the social networks, and, of course, the models who walked around with all the clothes. More than twenty boys and girls were in charge, gratis et amoreThe work was done with great professionalism, despite his youth, so that the solidarity fashion show came out with a high level of quality.
At the end of the three shows, they received a great applause and the mayor encouraged everyone to participate in the raffle by buying ballots and to enjoy the Spanish wine.
The creativity and support of the benefactors of the CARF Foundation knows no bounds. Thanks to all of them.
Discover the impact of religious foundations and Catholic NGOs in Spain.
Catholic foundations, motivated by their values and beliefs, bring a spiritual and ethical dimension to their activities, gaining relevance in the social, spiritual and humanitarian fields. Their work translates into providing help, hope and opportunities for transformation to the people and communities they serve.
What are the Church's NGOs?
Religious organizations, such as Catholic foundations and NGOs, play a significant role in society, sharing the responsibility of providing humanitarian assistance and charity to those most in need. Their support ranges from material and financial needs to emotional care in situations of poverty, natural disasters, armed conflict or social marginalization.
By promoting Christian ethical and moral values, these organizations contribute to the promotion of social justice, solidarity, equity and respect for human dignity, fostering a greater commitment to social welfare and harmony.
What is the difference between Catholic foundations and Catholic NGOs?
The main distinction between Catholic foundations and Catholic NGOs lies in their organizational structure and focus of work. While Catholic foundations are linked to the Catholic Church and focus on specific areas of Catholic work, Catholic NGOs have a religious affiliation, but their action encompasses diverse areas of social action.
Catholic NGOs, such as non-profit organizationsThe Catholic Movement of the Catholic Church, based on the principles and teachings of the Catholic faith, focuses its mission in areas such as charity, the promotion of Christian values, religious education, theological research, and cultural and artistic promotion in the Catholic sphere.
On the other hand, Catholic NGOs, despite their religious affiliation, are not necessarily linked to a specific institution and address a variety of social issues, such as poverty, education, health and community development.
How can I support these organizations?
All of these entities share one thing in common: their primary funding comes from donations, both from individuals and businesses. If you want to support Catholic foundations and NGOs, here are some ways you can contribute:
Financial donations: you can make direct financial donations to the organizations, either through their websites or for specific projects they are carrying out. This not only benefits the organizations, but can also have a positive impact on their bottom line. tax benefits for you as a donor.
Donations in kind: In addition to monetary donations, you can contribute material goods. These donations may also have tax benefits.
Joint and several legacies and wills: consider including these organizations in your will, providing ongoing support even after your death, as if they were someone else in the family.
Volunteering: Many religious organizations are looking for volunteers to help with various activities. You can volunteer and put your skills to work for these causes.
Dissemination and awareness: Sharing relevant information about the work and projects of these organizations on social networks can increase awareness and support.
Collaborations and alliances: if you have specific skills or represent a company or organization, you can explore opportunities for collaboration with these entities, either through professional services or corporate donations.
What are the benefits of supporting these non-profit organizations?
Supporting non-profit organizations, such as Catholic foundations and NGOs in Spain, not only has a direct impact on the well-being of individuals and communities in need, but also offers personal benefits and contributes to the development of a more just, supportive and equitable society, regardless of the beliefs of the beneficiaries.
Your support directly contributes to improving the quality of life of those most in need and promotes social development. You can provide medical care, education, food, housing and other vital services to disadvantaged communities regardless of creed.
By supporting these religious non-profit organizations, you are supporting noble causes and ethical and Christian values such as solidarity, social justice, equality and respect for human dignity. You become an agent of change with the opportunity to positively influence your environment.
In Spain, donations to non-profit organizations are tax-deductible, which means that you can obtain tax benefits when making these donations, encouraging your financial support for their development.
Which are the most important Catholic religious foundations and NGOs in Spain?
The following are some of the most important Catholic organizations in Spain. It is important to note that there are other religious entities that also make valuable efforts in various areas of Spanish society.
Caritas: this Catholic-inspired non-governmental organization for humanitarian aid and social development is one of the most recognized worldwide in the field of assistance and solidarity. Caritas is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable people, both locally and internationally. Its main mission is to combat poverty, social exclusion and inequality, working closely with communities and people in need, through an extensive network of volunteers and professionals.
Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS): The Pontifical Mission Societies are a network of organizations and programs of the Catholic Church dedicated to the promotion and support of the evangelizing and humanitarian mission of the Catholic Church throughout the world. It is an entity directly dependent on the Holy See and its work is guided by the vision and direction of the Holy Father with the aim of spreading the Gospel message and providing assistance to those most in need.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN): one of the Catholic NGOs dedicated to caring for persecuted Christians and providing humanitarian, pastoral and material aid to Christian communities and people in need around the world. ACN is based on principles of solidarity, charity and the promotion of human rights, with a particular focus on religious freedom and support for persecuted Christian communities. Its work contributes to providing hope, relief and practical support to those suffering for their faith in different parts of the world. It works in collaboration with the Holy See and other Catholic organizations, offering assistance in areas such as the construction and rehabilitation of churches, the training of priests and religious, the distribution of religious literature, the provision of humanitarian aid in emergency situations, and support for community development projects.
Closing Foundation: Its mission is to make known the raison d'être, the beauty and the importance of the contemplative life. The Fundación de Clausura is a non-profit organization that was created to help support cloistered monasteries and convents. It contributes to the support of monasteries and convents by helping them in the commercialization of their products. It offers voluntary technical support or donations from individuals and companies and passes on to the religious communities the prayer requests of individuals.
Manos Unidas: What is the NGO Manos Unidas? Manos Unidas is one of the best-known Catholic development and humanitarian aid NGOs of Catholic inspiration. The main objective of Manos Unidas is to promote the integral development of people and communities living in poverty, especially in rural and marginalized areas. They provide everything from emergency projects and humanitarian aid in crisis situations to long-term development projects. The organization is guided by principles of solidarity, social justice and respect for human dignity.
CARF Foundation: The CARF Foundation, also known as the Roman Academic Center Foundation, was born in 1989 under the inspiration of St. John Paul II and Blessed Alvaro del Portillo. Its mission is to pray for priestly vocations, to promote the good name of priests in the world and to assist in the formation of seminarians and diocesan and religious priests to better serve the Church throughout the world, as well as to foster vocations. Currently, thanks to the support of benefactors and friends, the CARF Foundation has financed study grants to nearly 40,000 students from 131 countries with limited economic resources to study at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and at the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies of the University of Navarra in Pamplona. Among the beneficiaries alumni of the CARF Foundation, there are 130 students who have been ordained bishops and three who have been created cardinals.
Xtantos: although it is neither an NGO nor a foundation, but a campaign of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, we could not fail to mention this initiative in our list of Catholic NGOs. The Xtantos campaign is closely linked to the modification in the Tax Allocation system that was agreed in December 2006. At that time, the Church stopped receiving direct allocations from the General State Budget in Spain. Initiated in 2007, the campaign aims to raise awareness of this change in Spanish society by encouraging taxpayers to check the box for the Church on their tax returns. Annually, Xtantos seeks to inform the population about the tax allocation system, reminding them of the option to check the box for the Church, the box for Other Purposes of Social Interest, both or neither. In addition, the campaign highlights the significant work of the Church in building a better society, offering information about its contributions and activities.
These organizations represent only a small sample of the positive impact that the Catholic Church has on Spanish society through Catholic NGOs.
