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So far Grace has created 366 blog entries.

“I learned ACN is a charity of love”, says outgoing ACN’s ecclesiastical assistant

After more than three years, Fr Anton Lässer is stepping down from his position as ecclesiastical assistant to Aid to the Church in Need - International (ACN). The Austrian Fr Anton, 65, was asked by his superiors to return to the service of the Passionist Congregation. As of 1 October, [...]

2026-10-07T08:55:47+02:00

ACN PRAYER CAMPAIGN: “One million children praying with us”

As the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary today, 7th October, hundreds of thousands of children around the world are uniting for the final day of  One Million Children Praying the Rosary. Pope Leo joined hundreds of children at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican [...]

2026-10-07T08:44:07+02:00

SOUTH LEBANON: Hope of return takes root among the olive trees

As the olive harvest approaches, the residents of Alma el-Chaab hope to obtain permission to work their land. In testimony collected by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), their parish priest, Maronite Chorbishop Maroun Ghafari, describes the daily reality of a dispersed community trying to prepare for its return. [...]

2026-10-07T08:03:29+02:00

Education key to Christian survival in the Middle East

As wars continue to affect the region, ACN is helping to support Christian education all across the Middle East. Keeping schools running is key to preserving Christian communities. September marks the resumption of school for most of the northern hemisphere, but in many regions, including the Middle East, the return [...]

2026-09-23T14:59:16+02:00

“I cried tears of despair”, says priest who spent over two years in hands of jihadists

Fr Luigi Maccalli learned in captivity to forgive and pray for his enemies, following the example of Jesus. In an interview with ACN, he shared his experience. Fr Pier Luigi Maccalli was working as a missionary in Boamanga, Niger, when he was kidnapped by armed men, on 17 September, 2018, [...]

2026-09-23T14:47:33+02:00

Pope Leo to pray Rosary for Peace with hundreds of children at the Vatican

On 1 October, between 700 and 1,000 children from schools and parishes in Rome will join the Holy Father in the Vatican Gardens, marking the beginning of the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” initiative promoted by Aid to the Church in Need. Pope Leo XIV will join hundreds of [...]

2026-09-23T14:11:05+02:00

CARDINAL KOCH: Bearing witness to the truth and beauty of the Gospel

In a meeting with ecclesiastical assistants from national offices of ACN, Cardinal Kurt Koch highlighted the “ecumenism of the martyrs” which is helping heal wounds between different Christian confessions.  The international president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Cardinal Kurt Koch, has called on the pontifical foundation to [...]

2026-09-16T08:12:15+02:00

Gaza Catholic school reopens for 1,000 pupils after nearly three years of war

The parish priest of Gaza has said that the re-opening of a Catholic school in the devastated territory offers “a sign of hope” for people who have very little to be hopeful about. Holy Family School in the old city of Gaza re-opened this morning for approximately 1,000 students, serving [...]

2026-09-16T07:58:30+02:00

FROM ROME TO THE WORLD: Children unite in a Week of Prayer for Peace

From 1 to 7 October, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is inviting children, families, schools and parishes around the world to take part in “One Million Children Praying the Rosary”. This year, the initiative will unfold as a worldwide week of prayer, beginning with a vigil in Rome [...]

2026-09-16T07:46:30+02:00

NEPAL: “Our presence among those who are suffering will give them hope”

The Catholic Church in Nepal has mobilised to support the victims of the devastating floods that struck the Himalayan country on 26 August, sweeping away entire villages and leaving thousands dead or missing. “In some places along the Bhote Koshi River, entire villages have been wiped out. Many houses along [...]

2026-09-02T14:47:51+02:00