Chapel of the Madonna the world’s smallest church in Louisiana
The story recounts Anthony Gallo’s vow during a 1901 vigil for his dying infant in Palo Alto Louisiana. He built the tiny octagonal chapel on his land after the child recovered, and since 1904 the Mass on the Feast of the Assumption has been held annually in the Chapel of the Madonna. The 6 by 8 foot structure, tended by neighbors, hosts a priest and altar boys in five tiny chairs with a temporary tarpaulin scaffold for shade this year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Palo Alto
Mississippi
Augustine Wyshoff
Our Lady of Prompt Succor
White Castle
Anthony Gallo
Tony Gallo
Bayou Goula
Louisiana
Noah Dumac
Cascio
Wyshoff
Omnipotent Babe in Bethlehem Manger
Poem portrays the infant Jesus as God in humble manger surroundings. The speaker, Francis Patrick, honorably praises the divine majesty hidden in a lowly stable, emphasizing the babe’s universal adoration and divine rule.
Ceppo and Ceppino: Florence Big and Little Yule Log
In Florence the big Yule log called Ceppo and the little one Ceppino mark Christmas and the day after. The father selects a large log on Christmas Eve as the family gathers for a game of bingo before Midnight Mass. Grandparents stay home to tend the fire and recite prayers as the cathedral bell rings midnight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florence
Italy
Ceppo
Tuscany
Giotto
Christ
Christmas in Florence Feasts and Nativity Cribs Parade
The article describes Christmas in Florence with bell chimes across Tuscan towns, Mass attendance, midday family meals, and children’s letters urging gifts. It notes Epiphany gift customs, elaborate church crib competitions, and stays for Dec 26 known as ceppino, featuring Capon and panforte, with cribs called Capannucce and church visits including St Mary Major.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Church of St. Mary Major
Christmas Saint Anastasia and the second Mass legend
The account notes Anastasia of Sirmium banished by Diocletian around 287 and burned in Sirmium on December 25. Her name was added to the Canon of the Mass toward the late fifth century, and Rome later required the second Christmas Mass to honor her.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Anastasia
Diocletian
Sirmium
Yugoslavia
Rome
Japanese Christmas Story Recounted by Missionary
A mission narrative follows a young shepherd searching for his prized lamb on a Judean hill. He frets over the lamb’s mischief and hopes to glimpse angels and the guiding star before returning it to the fold.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethlehem
Land of
Judea
Litttle Shepherd
Christmas Gift For Esteban
A feature recalling Esteban, a Peruvian boy in the Andes, and his family. the piece contrasts a once silent Christmas in Urakami with the warmth of faith and the desire for education amid mine work and poverty. The narrative follows Esteban, his sister Vinca, and friend Luis as they discuss schooling and Christmas realities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Andes
Peru
Esteban
Hamas
Carlo
Luis
Lima
Vinca
Ernesto
Silent Night origins span priest and organist in Oberndorf
A parish priest Joseph Mohr and organist Franz Gruber wrote the beloved hymn on Christmas Eve 1818 in Oberndorf Austria after the church organ failed. The tune spread via Karl Mauracher and later German singers, with Kodified accounts resurfacing in 1854 by Ludwig Erk. The article also traces Japan's Urakami Christian community from St Francis Xavier through Tokugawa persecutions, detailing Christmas rites amid persecution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oberndorf
Salzburg
St. Nicholas
Father Mohr
Mauracher
Prussia
Ludwig Erk
Erk
Gruber
Hallein
Joseph Mohr
Franz Gruber
Armsdorf
Also Mentioned on This Page
Texas and Pacific Line
The
Texas and Pacific Railway Company
By R. A. Malone
Texas and Pacific
Great
Mary
Brother Francis Patrick
F.S.C
Star Supreme
Oren R. Brown
Capannucce
John Travers Moore
H. J. Wiesen
S.V.D
Urakami
Nagasaki City
Esther Miller Payler
Carlos
Franz Xavier Gruber
Karl
Japan
Kagoshima
St. Francis Xavier
Nagasaki
Mt. Kompira
Mt. Iwasa
Santa Clara Church
Shogan Tokugawa
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!