These stories have been handpicked from blogs and news sites around the Web -- some Catholic, some not.https://www.newadvent.org/news/feedburner.xml tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3667761090634964946Headhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/appeals-court-says-sexual-assaultnull@newadvent.org (null)An appeals court in Canada has rejected a request by the Congregation of St. Basil to dismiss a lawsuit against the congregation and its prominent member Fr. Thomas Rosica. The Court of Appeal for Ontario issued a June 4 decision upholding a lower court’s ruling that the case against Rosica may move forward. The court ordered Rosica’s congregation to pay $14,000 in legal costs. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1250345469561385234Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-j-r-r-tolkien-and-the-adventure-of-the-eucharistnull@newadvent.org (Tom Hoopes)Even Catholics like me who aren’t fans of the fantasy genre know a lot about The Lord of the Rings. It is 25 years since the first Lord of the Rings movie burst onto the scene, breaking box office records, and 70 years since the publication of the final volume of the of the trilogy that would become the bestselling books ever written... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7748193135973018885Centerhttps://thehustle.co/originals/how-a-blind-taste-competition-launched-the-american-wine-industrynull@newadvent.org (null)The tablecloth was white, and the wines were red. The organizers were British and American, and the judges were French. And pretentious. Actually, that last part probably conveys an unfair French stereotype. Let’s just say they were confident. There were nine of them. Each came to the Intercontinental Hotel near the Champs-Élysées in Paris to compare the tastes of ten glasses of American and French wine... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8373447286971937975Lefthttps://daily.jstor.org/the-invention-of-the-continental-divide/null@newadvent.org (null)The Continental Divide is the hydrological boundary between watersheds that drain into the Pacific and those that drain into the Atlantic. It runs from the Bering Strait in Alaska to the Strait of Magellan at the tip of South America, dividing the west from the east along the mountainous (the Rockies, the Andes) spine of the Americas... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5409594913540437787Centerhttps://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/eucharistic-adoration-a-neglected-spiritual-weaponnull@newadvent.org (Tom Nash)Speaking of the Eucharist as a spiritual weapon might strike you as odd, yet St. Paul reminds us we’re in a war, and that our primary enemies are ones we cannot see. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul has in mind the sacraments in general, and the Blessed Sacrament in particular... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6810326211980782627Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/corpus-christi-come-una-madre-andnull@newadvent.org (Ed Condon)I am a big believer in popular and extremely public acts of devotion as an ordinary part of parish living. I’ve written before about the great risk of Catholic life being kettled into the church building and within the invisible walls of the parish community. The Church, as a people elect, an ecclesia, has as its essential characteristic the apostolic mandate... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8063218101335113413Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/chapp-church-situation-sspxnull@newadvent.org (Larry Chapp)With all of the attention being paid to the new encyclical from Pope Leo, there has been a lessening of attention to many of the burning ecclesial controversies simmering on the back burner. I am happy about that, since I think the ecclesial mood needs a greater focus on something positive rather than the constant barrage of negative news stories... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2517718741763800956Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/archdiocese-of-washington-removes-prominent-exorcist-over-remarks-linking-ufos-to-demonicnull@newadvent.org (null)Washington archbishop Cardinal Robert McElroy on June 3 removed a prominent priest from his role as an archdiocesan exorcist after the priest made remarks linking UFOs to demonic activity. Monsignor Stephen Rossetti was “removed ... as an exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington,” McElroy said in a statement posted to the archdioceseʼs website... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-99757690058289210Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/news/priestly-brotherhood-in-tulsanull@newadvent.org (Zelda Caldwell)At the rectory at Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, eight active diocesan priests share a home, pitch in to help with chores, and frequently get together to watch a ball game together at the end of the day. It’s an arrangement that is so uncommon, it may be the largest community of diocesan priests in the United States. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4114197984654442835Lefthttps://unofficialnetworks.com/2026/06/02/the-truth-behind-angels-landing-americas-deadliest-hike/null@newadvent.org (null)Towering 1,500 feet over the floor of Zion National Park, Angels Landing is one of the most recognizable rock formation in the American West. Famous for its steep grades, sheer cliffs and razor thin paths, it draws hundreds of thousands of thrill-seeking hikers each year. Yet, long before it became an internet sensation and arguably... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5607903208884793541Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/michilimackinac-montse-and-throwinnull@newadvent.org (J.D. Flynn)Today’s the anniversary of a memorable moment in American history, from all the way back in 1763, when native tribes in the American midwest had banded together to fight a little revolution of their own, working to expel British forts from the Great Lakes region. Most of that was inspired by a Native American religious revival underway in the 1760s... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4269466800459724120Lefthttps://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-dig-treasures-paris-archaeology-roman-dae41f792c1402faf32a87c154cc9a77null@newadvent.org (null)Wilting in the summer sun, a line of tourists waits to climb Notre Dame cathedral and meet its gargoyles.Four meters (13 feet) beneath them, a team of archaeologists is digging the other way — straight down and back in time, to Roman Paris 2,000 years ago. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2102779641784576258Centerhttps://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2026/05/reporting-catholic-news-to-the-secular-world-the-side-hustle-in-catholic-medianull@newadvent.org (Charles Collins)Sometimes, when the pope says something, it becomes news for people far beyond the Catholic world. The problem is that most people working in the news industry aren’t particularly religious, so they don’t always know how to talk about it. These are magic moments for those of us in the Catholic news business, because they’re the times we’re invited to explain these stories to an audience we don’t usually reach... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5613107224783187271Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-appoints-ewtn-news-president-to-lead-vatican-communications-departmentnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, as prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. The appointment will take effect Nov. 1.Since 2023, Alvarado has overseen EWTN News’ global and multilingual news operations across television, radio, print, digital, and social media platforms. During her tenure, she helped expand the network’s international news presence and deepen collaboration across its multilingual platforms. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5402297632886337873Centerhttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/how-can-god-become-man-if-god-cant-change?mc_cid=83a83cf14f&mc_eid=76031b1787null@newadvent.org (Clement Harrold)One of the defining attributes of God is that He is immutable, meaning He isn’t subject to change. We know this through philosophical reasoning because at the foundation of reality there has to be one being who is purely actual without any potency, and we call this being God. We also know about God’s immutability through the witness of Sacred Scripture: tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6572764019925826872Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/leo-amends-francis-amendment-to-monasterynull@newadvent.org (null)The Apostolic See announced on Thursday that Pope Leo had effectively made a change to canon 699 of the Code of Canon Law. The change clarifies that the Vatican can give permission, in specific cases, for a diocean bishop to dismiss the major superior of an autonomous monastery, if the monk or nun in question has committed some serious offense... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5454844169197779098Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-at-angelus-we-find-our-home-in-the-trinity.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Pope Leo XIV joined thousands in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer and greeting. Reflecting on the Mystery of the Triune God, he explained gives us a chance to look back at our own journey, beginning with God’s life given to us in Jesus. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-664547503637203345Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-the-trinity-means-we-are-not-the-children-of-divorcenull@newadvent.org (null)Souls find solace in God because he is the Holy Trinity. Jesus doesn’t just tell us God has mercy on us; he describes the inner life of the Trinity to show us how God’s love for the Son and the Son’s love for the Father are mutually sacrificial. And that gives us hope. If you’re like me, you sometimes think of him as an angry judge... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7823556118131547115Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/washington-nationals-official-fired-after-video-that-implied-discrimination-against-catholicnull@newadvent.org (null)The Washington Nationals have fired a spokesman after video surfaced in which he appeared to admit that the team discriminates against one of its outspoken Catholic pitchers.EWTN News confirmed on May 29 that the Nationals had dismissed its former community relations director Sean Hudson amid media coverage and criticism from religious groups over the video. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4676776897868623925Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/gone-home-a-modest-proposal-and-ainull@newadvent.org (null)I know we’ve had an encyclical this week, and the news of the Church hasn’t stopped either. And we’ll get to all of that in a moment. But I wanted to talk about something else, which has been the real focus of my week. In recent days, I lost a friend. Catherine, Miss Catherine to me. We were, in the eyes of the world, probably pretty unlikely friends... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8405534854145880042Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/de-souza-wyszynski-paul-vinull@newadvent.org (Fr. Raymond de Souza)Relics of Blessed Stefan Wyszyński, primate of Poland (1948-1981), were placed in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere on May 28, his feast day assigned when he was beatified in 2021. May 29 is the feast of Pope St. Paul VI, and their back-to-back feast days are a reminder of the great drama of the Polish Millennium 60 years ago this month, one of the most significant moments in Catholic history. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4722986086967813738Lefthttps://www.popsci.com/environment/theres-a-reason-we-dont-have-birds-the-size-of-elephants/null@newadvent.org (null)I’ve always been fascinated by birds. They are all around us and there’s such a stunning diversity and variety. As a palaeontologist I specialised early in the theropod (two-legged) dinosaurs. This is the group that includes T.rex and Velociraptor – and gave rise to birds. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8289997767053765930Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pope-leos-traditionis-optionsnull@newadvent.org (null)Whatever else happens this summer, Pope Leo is certain to face a test of resolve in the face of the Switzerland-based Society of St. Pius X, and the group’s commitment to consecrate new bishops despite a papal prohibition against the move. While Pope Leo’s Vatican has promised swift consequences... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7382235176965383274Lefthttps://religionnews.com/2026/05/26/ai-has-a-bias-toward-catholicism-researchers-say/null@newadvent.org (null)Most popular artificial intelligence models are biased toward Catholicism and against a number of other religious traditions when asked about converting to a faith, according to new research assembled by a group of religious colleges... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-406861654456121582Centerhttps://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/johnson-to-meet-pope-leo-xiv-in-rome-with-a-very-chicago-foodie-gift-and-its-not-deep-dish/3941282/null@newadvent.org (null)Carefully packed in Johnson's suitcase, Ahern said, was a jar of spicy giardiniera peppers from iconic Chicago grocer and sandwich shop J.P. Graziano. “They just came in like any other customer,” owner Jim Graziano told NBC Chicago, of the Mayor's visit to the shop. Graziano went on to say that they mayor and his team selected a jar of Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil Hot Giardiniera... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6050304840189221232Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-leo-urges-priests-to-respect-norms-of-the-liturgy-to-avoid-confusion-at-massnull@newadvent.org (null)At the general audience on May 27, Pope Leo XIV urged priests to respect the “norms of the liturgy” and not to make changes to the Mass “on their own initiative,” in order to avoid confusing the faithful. “I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God’s greatness and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion,” the Pope said in remarks in St. Peterʼs Square. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1966942889802109388Centerhttps://www.fastcompany.com/91548280/pope-leo-ai-warning-social-media-reactions-to-poignant-letternull@newadvent.org (null)Given its profound implications for the workforce, the environment, and humankind as a whole, it’s no surprise that almost everyone has an opinion on artificial intelligence these days, including the pope. Less than a year after his election, Pope Leo XIV just released his first encyclical, a pastoral letter aimed to offer guidance. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6707609373550766727Lefthttps://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/the-losing-battlenull@newadvent.org (Marcel LeJeune)I’ve been studying lately about the wars the United States has fought in my lifetime — and the ones we have, by most honest measures, lost. The pattern is not what you would expect from the most powerful military the world has ever seen. It is not that we lacked resources. We had more of them than anyone... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7466167537651421589Centerhttps://www.denvercatholic.org/the-secret-club-no-one-wants-growing-up-as-a-child-of-divorcenull@newadvent.org (null)I’d like to tell you a story. It isn’t a fairy tale, though it does have a happy ending. It isn’t a tragedy, though it does have loss and sadness. It’s a true story; it’s my story. My story of belonging to a secret club I never wanted to be in — the “secret club” for adult children of divorce. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7130114910565247964Lefthttps://www.ucanews.com/news/when-sacred-symbols-become-content/113430null@newadvent.org (null)At first, many Vietnamese Catholics treated it as a small and slightly amusing internet incident. One person noticed that the hand of Jesus in a newly released bishop’s coat of arms appeared to have six fingers. Another pointed out that the lamb carried on Christ’s shoulders had unusually long and awkward legs. Soon others realized that the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit seemed to be missing its beak entirely. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7484071155901658083Centerhttps://www.wired.com/story/anthropic-christopher-olah-pope-ai-encyclical/null@newadvent.org (null)When Pope Leo XIV presented his first encyclical on artificial intelligence at the Vatican on Monday, he invited Christopher Olah, cofounder of Anthropic, to speak. The move signaled an unprecedented alliance between the Catholic church and Silicon Valley. But to understand how this partnership came about, we need to go back to Anthropic's founding. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7910940303308435709Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/russian-orthodox-metropolitan-releasednull@newadvent.org (Luke Coppen)A formerly high-ranking Russian Orthodox bishop was released without charge Tuesday, two days after he was arrested by Czech police on suspicion of drug possession. Czech authorities released Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) and an unnamed driver and camera operator May 26... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5131966629807873450Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-honors-georgia-martyrs-ahead-of-historic-beatificationnull@newadvent.org (null)Day 3 of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage began in Georgia on Tuesday — the second day of a 142-mile pilgrimage through the Diocese of Savannah, a day devoted to walking in the footsteps of the Georgia Martyrs, scheduled for beatification in Savannah on Oct. 31, the first beatification in the southern U.S. Local Georgians and visitors from as far away as California knelt in prayer... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8613348658645864402Lefthttps://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.htmlnull@newadvent.org (Pope Leo XIV)Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together. Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5118418302613476836Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/live-updates-magnifica-humanitasnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV on Monday published Magnifica humanitas, an encyclical meant to focus on the dignity of work, and the assurance of social justice amid the extraordinary technological advancements of recent years... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4381119090541987326Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/tolkien-beethoven-mlk-jr-and-hannah-arendt-the-voices-that-resonate-in-magnifica-humanitasnull@newadvent.org (null)As the first encyclical of his pontificate, Magnifica Humanitas, published Monday, can be regarded as an indication of Pope Leo XIVʼs doctrinal approach. One of the most significant aspects of magisterial documents like encyclicals, is the sources of inspiration the pope draws upon beyond the strictly ecclesial sphere — that is, not only citations from great theologians, Church Fathers, or pontiffs, but also references from traditions and disciplines outside the Church. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3682411156835860906Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-encyclical-magnifica-humanitas-ai.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV releases his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5882669402837213630Lefthttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/the-deeper-meaning-of-pentecostnull@newadvent.org (null)Pentecost has its roots in the Old Testament. Fifty days after Passover, the Jewish people celebrated the Feast of Weeks, known in Hebrew as Shavuot. This was one of the major pilgrimage festivals, which became known in the Greek-speaking world as Pentecoste, meaning “fiftieth.” In the New Testament, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles coincides with the old Jewish feast: tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2685732397119471684Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-on-solemnity-pentecost-mass-homily-24-may-2026.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)During his Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Pope Leo XIV reflected on how the Holy Spirit continues to work wonders in our lives, saying that by enlightening minds and instilling new vitality in our hearts, the Paraclete “transfigures history, opening it to salvation, which is the gift that the Lord offers to everyone.” tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1096237241870536536Lefthttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/why-did-jesus-leave-again-after-his-resurrectionnull@newadvent.org (null)Although we don’t always spend a lot of time thinking about it, surely one of the strangest mysteries of Christianity is the fact that Jesus returned to heaven after His Resurrection. Think about it for a moment. As Christians we believe that the almighty Triune God became a human being and died a slave’s death on a cross for our sake, after which He descended into hell, plundered the strongholds of the devil... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8351019786764555073Centerhttps://www.wordonfire.org/articles/deism-and-the-declaration/null@newadvent.org (Christopher Kaczor)The justification for human equality given by the founders in the Declaration of Independence claims that all people are “created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” What kind of Creator is invoked here? This deity is invoked by different names in the Declaration’s 1,458 words... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4998576656127412177Lefthttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-address-mayors-local-residents-acerra-land-of-fires.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)During his pastoral visit to Acerra, Italy, Pope Leo XIV addressed mayors and local residents of the town in the 'Land of Fires,' urging everyone to join together to correct course, and saying the principal meaning of his presence there was to confirm and encourage that stirring of dignity... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-500734261839018369Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/god-and-robots-the-end-of-a-synodnull@newadvent.org (null)Happy Friday friends, I am looking forward to the long weekend, as I am sure most of you are. Monday is likely to prove a working holiday for us here at The Pillar, given that it sees the formal presentation of Pope Leo’s first encyclical — with the man himself doing the presentation, no less. When Peter speaks, we listen... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5913027416124060565Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-christs-last-breath-is-a-driving-wind-that-fills-the-earth-with-firenull@newadvent.org (null)In the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday, we are back in the Upper Room with the apostles on Easter Sunday when Jesus breathes on the Apostles and says “receive the Holy Spirit.” Think of what that meant in that room at that time. The last time anyone saw Jesus alive was on the cross when... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8270250538718385146Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-audience-vatican-artificial-intelligence-conference.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV met on Friday with participants in the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, entitled “Preserving human faces and voices.” Promoted by the Dicastery for Communication (our parent organization) and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the one-day event brought together experts in the fields of AI... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3348430812373428446Lefthttps://knowingisdoing.org/blog/too-young-receive-sacramentsnull@newadvent.org (Marlon De La Torre)An important characteristic all parents possess, I argue, is that of an advocate over and with their children. Parents as advocates stand by the side of their child to protect them from harm, guide and console their child within a Catholic worldview toward the moral good. Part of parental advocacy within a Catholic context is the path to both receiving and expressing their child’s sacramental identity... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8879920393633490202Centerhttps://www.denvercatholic.org/the-culture-of-death-loses-one-for-the-momentnull@newadvent.org (George Weigel)Good news not being thick on the ground these days, I’m delighted to note some very good news from the mother country: on April 24, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill failed to gain passage in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, thus ending, for now, the efforts to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3370108272822541098Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/news/fernandez-more-details-of-transmission-of-the-faith-documentnull@newadvent.org (Edward Pentin)Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández has given further details of the upcoming Vatican document on the “transmission of the faith,” saying it will examine reasons for the failure to transmit the faith between generations, finding ways of making preaching the Gospel attractive and considering questions regarding the liturgy. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1930217643439580308Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/synodality-but-not-a-synod-insidenull@newadvent.org (null)The Vatican’s synod department issued a new document Wednesday defining the steps to be taken ahead of the 2028 ecclesial assembly in Rome. The 6,000-word text, published May 20, details how local Churches should prepare for the event, which is a continuation of the global synodal process launched by Pope Francis in 2021... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-380786930801779656Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/synod-office-sets-path-to-2028-ecclesial-assemblynull@newadvent.org (null)The General Secretariat of the Synod has published a new document to guide the “path of implementation of the Synod” through an ecclesial assembly in October 2028 at the Vatican. The 18-page document, titled “The Path of Implementation of the Synod: Towards the Assemblies 2027–2028 — Stages, Criteria, and Tools for Preparation,” establishes a four-stage process and a common method... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4371517816024602681Centerhttps://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/modern-seminarians-dictionary-revisited/null@newadvent.org (Fr. Jerry Pokorsky)Among the joys of entering the twilight years of one’s priesthood is the memory of looking back on the “Spirit of Vatican II” in the decades that followed the Council. Except for important pockets of Catholic sanity, the seminary (back in those days) was mostly doctrinally dissident... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-300377401671528891Lefthttps://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/05/06/artificial-light-pollution-earth-sky/89875586007/null@newadvent.org (null)Our night sky is getting brighter and brighter – not because of the moon, but because of artificial lighting. While outdoor lighting is a necessary part of modern society, its widespread use has reshaped natural darkness, affected human and animal health and made the night sky harder to see. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2072501124115580661Centerhttps://time.com/article/2026/05/05/cognitive-shuffling-how-to-sleep/null@newadvent.org (null)When you can’t fall asleep because you’re too stressed, counting sheep might not be enough. Instead, experts suggest a simple mental trick that can quiet even the busiest thoughts. They know because they use it themselves. The technique is called... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7001427046079142666Lefthttps://weirdcatholic.substack.com/p/the-feet-of-the-ascensionnull@newadvent.org (Thomas McDonald)Ascension is among the most quirky and delightful subjects for pious art, with a number of artists simply showing the feet of Jesus as the clouds take him away. This shifts the focus from Jesus to the observers, and thus to the viewer, drawing us into the experience of the Ascension in a way a full body figure wouldn’t quite do. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8362862337180541525Centerhttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/finding-joy-in-scripturenull@newadvent.org (null)G.K. Chesterton described joy as the gigantic secret of the Christian. St. Paul lists it as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis reminded us that joy is a “pilgrim virtue,” without which Christianity is not credible. But what resources do the Scriptures offer us for better understanding what joy is and how we can grow in it? tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-111545868127355344Lefthttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-at-audience-20-may-2026-leo-general-xiv.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflects on Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 'Sacrosanctum Concilium,' underscoring that "the liturgy sustains the faithful" and that every Eucharistic Celebration becomes "a true epiphany of the Church in prayer." tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3454964844013535930Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/never-going-out-of-style-how-catholicnull@newadvent.org (Jack Figge)Whatever else they’re thinking about, every college president in the U.S. has one common concern right now — the coming demographic cliff. This year marks 18 years since the 2008 financial crisis — a watershed moment in American demographics. Historically, financial crises have led to lower birth rates as parents have fewer children due to financial concerns. When the economy rebounded, birth rates would too. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2928714306923904027Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/louisiana-bishop-allegation-reportnull@newadvent.org (null)After The Pillar reported on a pending Vatican-ordered investigation in a Louisiana diocese, the Bishop of Baton Rouge told priests that media reports did not tell the whole story, and that diocesan officials had not been informed whether an investigation was underway. Meanwhile, parents in the diocese say they have received no response... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4849048872576093830Centerhttps://popes.substack.com/p/the-anti-iconclast-comes-to-powernull@newadvent.org (Matthew Sewell)Today in Papal History marks the ascendance of the 89th Bishop of Rome – a saint in a time when papal holiness was on the decline, and a man who fought one of the most sinister heresies ever to face Christendom. St. Gregory II was born to Roman parents, Marcellus and Honesta, in the year 669... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5976037094466433182Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/news/leo-xiv-and-the-legacy-of-europe-s-great-churchesnull@newadvent.org (Andrea Gagliarducci)Leo XIV’s upcoming trip to Spain will center on the blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Família, the extraordinary church in Barcelona designed by the brilliant 19th-century architect Andoni Gaudí, whose cause for beatification is underway. And this blessing perhaps most characterizes the first major European journey of Leo’s pontificate. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3282777253648704012Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-first-encyclical-magnifica-humanitas.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV’s first Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas, on preserving the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, will be released on May 25, 2026. It bears the Pope’s signature dated May 15th, 135th anniversary of the publication of Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum novarum. Magnifica humanitas will be presented on the day of its release at 11:30 a.m. at the Vatican’s Synod Hall. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5692863412457866533Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-ai-communication-must-preserve-human-voices-and-facesnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Catholics and communicators to promote forms of communication that respect the truth of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, while also calling for renewed care for creation and peace as Laudato Si’ Week begins. Speaking after praying the Regina Caeli May 17 from the window of the Apostolic Palace... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8629446446819908632Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-visit-france-september-apostolic-journey-holy-see-press.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to make an Apostolic Journey to France from 25 to 28 September 2026, according to an announcement from the Director of the Holy See Press Office. This visit will be the first time a Pope has traveled to France on an official papal state visit since Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, when he journeyed to Paris and Lourdes... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-579119937013031050Lefthttps://www.denvercatholic.org/americas-papal-momentnull@newadvent.org (R. Jared Staudt)“All roads lead to Rome.” This proverbial saying from the ancient empire remained true even as Jesus’ disciples made their way across the world. The Eternal City, the capital of one of the world’s greatest empires, has served as the center of Christ’s Church for two thousand years, unifying and strengthening Christian communities worldwide. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8496979549111444322Centerhttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-answers-doubt-and-ours-by-leaving-us-in-chargenull@newadvent.org (null)By Ascending into heaven, Jesus shows us how he handles our doubt this Sunday, the Seventh Sunday of Easter – Ascension Year A. He doesn’t answer every question we have: Instead, he puts us in charge of answering everyone else’s questions. Here are four takeaways for this Sunday’s readings, drawn from Sunday Readings columns at this site and the Extraordinary Story podcast. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8195701910161331605Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/alex-lynch-transforming-culturenull@newadvent.org (null)It took me four years, but I finally learned what it means to Transform Culture in America from one classmate, and more importantly, a good friend, Alex Lynch. Alex passed away Friday, May 8, in his farm home in Indianola, Iowa, less than a day after receiving his degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, in a special ceremony. He was a senior who battled cancer throughout high school and college, but he knew what it took to transform culture, and lived it out. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2455431234889264500Centerhttps://firstthings.com/ai-and-the-miracle-that-makes-us-human/null@newadvent.org (Francis X. Maier)It occurred to me recently, like a lit match in a black vault, that I’ve never been unloved. The same applies to my wife, our children, and grandchildren. None of us has ever been unloved. We’ve had setbacks and difficulties in fifty-five years of marriage and family, yes; but an absence of love, no. And I say this because our experience is very far from unique... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5559495483362218120Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/the-synods-dangerous-departure-study-group-9s-reportnull@newadvent.org (null)The recently published report from Synod Study Group 9 represents a troubling departure from the Catholic Church's consistent moral teaching. While the authors claim they lack "the expertise or, above all, the necessary ecclesiastical authorization" to address individual moral issues definitively, the report's methodology and framework systematically undermine the Church's ability... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8112911383386492842Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/german-catholic-congress-approves-bondage-group-s-boothnull@newadvent.org (null)Organized by the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), the German Catholic Congress (Katholikentag) is a biennial gathering led by laypeople and representing the countryʼs main umbrella organization for lay Catholic associations. The 104th edition is taking place from May 13 to 17 in Würzburg under the motto “Have Courage, Stand Up!” Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which features approximately 900 events across 50 venues. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-557695377542778342Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/on-the-marches-extra-omnes-and-playingnull@newadvent.org (null)I got to do a fun thing yesterday. Our pastor had the idea to bring back the tradition of walking the entirety of our parish’s borders, blessing them and praying for those within them along with those able to join for any or all of the procession. Our family showed up to walk and pray along our corner of the map, we live quite near the line... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8602268564395151930Centerhttps://theconversation.com/photographic-memory-is-a-myth-heres-what-research-really-says-about-remembering-278160null@newadvent.org (null)Hollywood loves a superpower. Not all involve capes or cosmic rays. Some are cognitive: characters who can remember everything. In movies and on TV, viewers repeatedly encounter those with extraordinary minds who glance once at a page, a room or a face – and later recreate every detail with surgical precision. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-869897040997765645Lefthttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-addresses-rome-s-sapienza-university.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)“Be artisans of true peace: an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering, working for harmony among peoples and for the care of the Earth.” Pope Leo XIV expressed this during his address to the Sapienza University of Rome on Thursday, May 14. Prior to delivering his remarks, the Holy Father paused in prayer and greeted members of the university community before proceeding to the rectorate and the Aula Magna for his address. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6245046126825179742Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/schnell-ai-and-the-workernull@newadvent.org (null)Every technological revolution arrives with its own apologetics. It promises efficiency, abundance, and relief from drudgery, and often delivers a measure of all three. What it does not deliver is the moral vocabulary required to govern it. Work changes faster than judgment. Power concentrates faster than law can restrain it. Households become vulnerable before anyone has counted the cost.