Throughout the difficult year that 2020 has been, inspiring stories of heroism, creativity, compassion, and sacrifice have given us hope and reminded us of our shared humanity. Aleteia has published many of these stories, and before the year ends, we want to share 10 of the most popular with you in case you missed them. May they inspire you to face your own hardships and to welcome the new year with courage and faith!
#10 …
Groom surprises bride during their wedding ceremony with the most thoughtful gesture
When Brazilian groom José Vitor Flach married his fiancée, speech therapist Cíntia Bonfante Pereira, he wanted to make sure the occasion was as meaningful as it could be. So he invited some extra special guests to the ceremony, totally overwhelming his wife-to-be — and anyone who watches the video of the moment.
#9 …
Italian priest concelebrates his 100th birthday Mass with his 4 sons, also priests
A dad, priest, father of priests, author, disciple of Padre Pio, World War II veteran, and now a centenarian. Fr. Probo Vaccarini has led an incredible life.
#8 …
26-year-old twins ordained to the priesthood side by side on the same day
Giacomo and Davide Crespi, have always been together as twin brothers. Then they received the sacrament of Holy Orders together in the diocese of Treviso, northern Italy.
#7 …
Catholic hero: This Medal of Honor recipient turned to St. Michael the Archangel
An inspiring interview with retired Navy SEAL Edward C. Byers, Jr., on the role his faith played during his combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
#6 …
Watch these Italian friars and sisters take to the streets to dance (very impressively)
In a homemade video, an Italian man managed to capture some of the joy that the Franciscan Mission of Legnano in Italy brings to the locals — a much needed dose of joy and levity during a tough year.
#5 …
Photo of doctor praying the Rosary in COVID-19 hospital goes viral
In Colombia, an Evangelical Protestant pastor captured a powerful moment of his anesthesiologist Catholic friend at work praying the Rosary, and shared it on Facebook with a moving message.
#4 …
Nigerian boy whose video went viral while dancing in the rain gets ballet scholarship
A video of 11-year-old Anthony from Lagos, Nigeria, performing ballet in the rain caught the attention of not only some celebrities, but also a couple of ballet companies, who reached out to him and changed his life.
#3 …
Six-year-old boy praying on his knees in the street for the end of the coronavirus goes viral
In Guadalupe, Peru, a child knelt alone in the street asking God to end the pandemic. The image of him was caught and went viral on social media, moving the hearts of many around the world.
#2 …
Meet the dad who’s teaching basic skills on YouTube for kids without a father figure
Rob Kenney was abandoned by his own father as a teenager, but then he took that hardship and transformed it into being a father figure to many via the internet.
And #1 …
20-year-old filmmaker wins award for powerful 1-minute film about marriage
Read more:
The most read Bible verses in 2020
And today we celebrate...