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-2719396302413547947Headhttps://www.usccb.org/news/2026/us-cardinal-exorcist-role-should-be-private-after-priests-removal-tied-ufo-controversynull@newadvent.org (null)Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington said his decision to remove a high-profile priest as an archdiocesan exorcist was driven by the public way he exercised his ministry, not by his specific beliefs about UFOs. Following comments on social media linking UFOs to demonic activity... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1705170436230478144Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/julys-other-illicit-episcopal-consecrationnull@newadvent.org (Luke Coppen)This month is likely to see in the Church not one but two sets of episcopal consecrations without a papal mandate, though taking place under very different circumstances. The first, publicized worldwide, took place July 1 at Écône, Switzerland, when the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X illicitly consecrated four new bishops, despite an explicit prohibition by the Holy See. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6329686955393801620Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/features/brother-columba-a-shoemaker-s-sacred-heart-devotionnull@newadvent.org (null)In 1918, E.P. Schwartz pushed his 4-year-old daughter, Jean, in a small carriage through the University of Notre Dame campus near South Bend, Indiana. Two years earlier, polio had left the little girl’s left leg paralyzed and bent so that she was unable to stand on it. When she passed children playing, she must have felt sad knowing that she couldn’t join them... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4132653901208958085Lefthttps://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/what-went-down-with-the-sspxnull@newadvent.org (Jimmy Akin)The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has ordained new bishops, returned to schism, and incurred excommunication, and the Vatican has announced these facts. The SSPX is a society of priests, founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. It promotes traditional views and liturgy and critiques certain statements made by the Second Vatican Council, particularly concerning religious liberty and ecumenism... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5450519527236667486Centerhttps://www.wsj.com/business/white-line-road-invention-america-250-8ce6bb89?st=313dcx&mod=1440&user_id=66c4c4bf600ae150759922b7null@newadvent.org (null)Over the past 250 years, America has produced the world’s most valuable inventions. The lightbulb. The internet. The telephone and the iPhone. Since the founding of the United States, we have built airplanes, refrigerators and Costco. We dreamed up the microchip and we gave the world chocolate-chip cookies. But the greatest American innovation that you won’t ever find on a list of America’s innovations might just be one that you see every day. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5441547851559865767Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/diocese-of-oslo-to-open-canonization-cause-for-nobel-laureate-sigrid-undsetnull@newadvent.org (null)Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo, Norway, has announced that he will open a canonization cause for Sigrid Undset, setting one of Scandinaviaʼs most celebrated literary figures on the path toward possible sainthood and giving the Catholic Church in Norway a prolific native candidate for holiness. Hansen made the announcement during Mass on the island of Selja... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2112970140517323614Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/cna/u-s-ambassador-describes-july-4-dinner-with-pope-leo-xivnull@newadvent.org (Andrea Gagliarducci)Pope Leo XIV still has a Peruvian credit card, wakes in the middle of the night and checks soccer results, follows the Chicago White Sox, and uses a cellphone. He is also, according to Brian Burch, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, a Pope keenly aware of his role as pastor of the universal Church, careful not to give the impression of being merely an American pope and frustrated that his actions are sometimes interpreted as anti-Trump or anti-U.S. gestures. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6614405590942507318Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/astonishing-christina-fireworks-andnull@newadvent.org (J.D. Flynn)Christina the Astoning wasn’t a magician, though I hope that out there somewhere is a woman working birthday parties and doing card tricks, who has taken the moniker as a kind of quiet homage to the great lady. And Christina was a great lady. She lived almost 900 years ago in the city of Liege, in what is now Belgium. We don’t know much about her early life. Her parents died when was 15; she lived by tending sheep... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8935090191363464293Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/pope-leo-praises-u-s-eucharistic-pilgrims-highlights-country-s-strong-eucharistic-heritagenull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV on July 5 praised Eucharistic pilgrims in the U.S. for walking thousands of miles with Christ as part of a “great legacy of faith” amid the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The pilgrimage, which carried the theme “One Nation, Under God,” began in St. Augustine, Florida in May and went as far north as Portland, Maine, before turning south and finishing in Philadelphia... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8083377309011881723Lefthttps://www.wordonfire.org/articles/the-declaration-tells-us-nobody-is-a-nobody/null@newadvent.org (Christopher Kaczor)The Declaration of Independence speaks of self-evident truths, among them, that all humans are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Do unalienable rights depend in an important way upon the Creator? The answer might differ depending on which Founder we consider. Thomas Jefferson is a good test case... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8810660317421000592Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/tadie-american-revolution-and-french-revolutionnull@newadvent.org (null)“Humanity has gained its suit. Liberty will never more be without an asylum.” When the Marquis de Lafayette wrote these words in 1781, shortly after the Continental Army’s victory at Yorktown, he believed he had witnessed an event that the rest of the world would emulate: a people freeing themselves from tyranny to govern themselves as they had always wished... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7628717028079234749Lefthttps://www.osvnews.com/in-lampedusa-on-july-4-pope-leo-urges-christians-to-provide-safe-harbor-to-migrants/null@newadvent.org (Courtney Mares)Pope Leo XIV traveled to the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa July 4, laying a wreath at the graves of migrants who drowned trying to reach Europe and celebrating an open-air Mass in which he called on Catholics to be Good Samaritans offering compassion to those who suffer attempting make the perilous journey by sea. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-9180992210290704943Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-07/pope-leo-xiv-awarded-liberty-medal-national-constitution-center.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Accepting the prestigious Liberty Medal from the U.S. National Constitution Center for his lifelong commitment to promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, Pope Leo XIV addressed those gathered in Philadelphia from Rome, praying that the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States would be an occasion for a solemn recommitment to the fundamental ideals on which the country was founded, especially life and freedom. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8293856616138900184Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/how-many-sspx-laypeople-are-therenull@newadvent.org (null)Journalists covering this week’s illicit episcopal consecrations by the Society of St. Pius X have faced an awkward problem. It’s this: it seems impossible to say exactly how many laypeople are currently associated with the organization founded by the French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970. That might seem trivial. But one way of conveying the impact of the consecrations... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5958394915993348358Centerhttps://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=69921null@newadvent.org (Phil Lawler)An ordination, like a wedding, should be a happy occasion. But the July 1 consecration of four new bishops for the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) marks a sad day in the history of the Catholic Church: an unnecessary and avoidable breach between an energetic group of Catholics who cherish their faith and a Vatican leadership striving to maintain unity in the Church. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1895987270977123548Lefthttps://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/responsibility-for-evangelization-refusal-leads-to-hate/null@newadvent.org (Jeff Mirus)It is not always easy to speak up about our Faith, especially when others have shown their irritation at being “harangued” (reminded) about Christ and His Church. I once had even a relative exclaim: “Catholic, Catholic, Catholic! That’s all you ever talk about.” On that occasion, I was discussing things with family, many of whom were on my wavelength... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8261798331851313615Centerhttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-rejoices-that-only-the-little-receive-his-restnull@newadvent.org (Tom Hoopes)The Gospel passage we hear this Sunday includes some of the most consoling words in Scripture when Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Anyone who has had a relationship with Jesus knows exactly what that means. The greatest feeling in the world is not any kind of bodily pleasure, but the supernatural rest of an encounter with Christ... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4040737581868582007Lefthttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-congratulates-the-u-s-on-its-250th-anniversarynull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV celebrated the contributions of Catholics and immigrants to the United States in an open letter to Americans for the country’s 250th anniversary. The letter, dated June 25 and released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Friday, also highlighted the principles of religious freedom and the right to life... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4687496394066043950Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/america-s-250th-and-the-weight-of-a-nationnull@newadvent.org (Archbishop Charles Chaput)During these days of reflection on our nation’s founding, I’ve been pondering something St. Augustine noted in the greatest of his works. He said that a state not governed by justice is no more than a gang of thieves. Augustine wrote those words in The City of God, a book that deliberately contrasts the earthly city... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-999424883997669369Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/being-back-a-schism-if-you-believenull@newadvent.org (Ed Condon)Here I am, back. Let me begin by saying thank you, sincerely, and profoundly, for the countless messages of concern, prayers — even Mass intentions — you all sent me following last week’s newsletter. I have been, as JD mentioned, dealing with an injury. In a perfect world I would still be “off games” this week and staying away from my desk. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8717750982042824712Centerhttps://noellemering.substack.com/p/when-a-nation-turns-against-itselfnull@newadvent.org (Noelle Mering)For many Americans who came of age in the late twentieth century, patriotism seemed vaguely embarrassing. We would stand for the anthem, recite the pledge, celebrate the Fourth of July. But earnest patriotism belonged somewhere in the same category as country music, oversized pickup trucks, and other markers of provincialism from which sophisticated people... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2423647281269631342Lefthttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/a-yoke-for-the-childlike-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fourteenth-sunday-in-ordinary-timenull@newadvent.org (Scott Hahn)Jesus is portrayed in today’s Gospel as a new and greater Moses. Moses, the meekest man on earth, was God’s friend. Only he knew God “face to face.” And Moses gave Israel the yoke of the Law, through which God first revealed Himself and how we are to live. Jesus, too, is meek and humble. But He is more than God’s friend. He is the Son who alone knows the Father... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8719615247195688320Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-07/fraternity-saint-pius-x-ways-to-repent-return-full-communion.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)Following the schismatic act of July 1, a return to Catholic communion will not require repeating the experience of special commissions, such as Ecclesia Dei in the past, because the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has already established a procedure for both priests and lay faithful, directly involving diocesan Ordinaries and the leaders of the fraternities that follow the ancient rite and are united with Rome. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1242339218813926641Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/desouza-sspx-no-to-the-churchnull@newadvent.org (Fr. Raymond de Souza)Numerous accounts of the illicit and gravely sinful episcopal ordinations by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) have termed it a “crisis.” Is it? Not for the SSPX, it would seem. Choosing to ordain four new bishops on the precise anniversary that their four previous bishops were excommunicated in 1988 suggests a rather celebratory disposition toward the canonical penalties... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6104527786938750367Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-07/holy-see-decrees-excommunication-lefebrians-consecrations.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)The bishops of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay, respectively principal consecrator and co-consecrator, and the newly consecrated bishops Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier have incurred “ipso facto” the “latae sententiae” excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See for having carried out “an act of a schismatic nature”... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2974718349499105335Lefthttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/01/american-independence-avoided-world-transformed/null@newadvent.org (null)Winston Churchill’s coffin was carried down the aisle of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York, the city where he had made his brilliant and idiosyncratic career. Born into the splendour of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North America, then enjoying its second century of global dominance after far-sighted British governments had settled a brief quarrel with the colonists in the 1760s... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8551403552615409869Centerhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/sspx-illicitly-ordains-four-new-bishopsnull@newadvent.org (null)The traditionalist Society of St. Pius X illicitly ordained four new bishops Wednesday, despite a last-minute appeal by Pope Leo XIV, and the prospect of declared canonical penalties for the ecclesiastical crime of schism. SSPX Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta was the principal consecrator at the July 1 ceremony at the organization’s headquarters in Écône... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8746331955919341614Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/costs-down-but-no-leo-bounce-petersnull@newadvent.org (null)Peter’s Pence, the annual global collection to support the ministry of the Holy Father, reported a drop in both revenue and expenses for the 2025 financial year in its annual disclosure. The annual report noted that the fund continues to operate a deficit, though this was significantly reduced from previous years... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4931294832410613102Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/cna/sspx-consecrates-bishops-in-defiance-of-rome-s-schism-warningnull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV is not even two years into his pontificate and he is already facing one of the most delicate episodes of his ministry: a new rupture within the Church. In a defiant move and despite repeated warnings from Rome, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) went ahead Wednesday with the consecration of four new bishops without a pontifical mandate... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1184707861203651261Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/features/5-heroes-of-american-catholicismnull@newadvent.org (Matthew Bunson)As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, American Catholics are able as well to reflect on an important truth: We live and pray and work as heirs — sons and daughters — inheritors of faith, successors to holy and extraordinary men and women who made timeless contributions to the life of the Church and of America... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1262013350875387087Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/supreme-court-transgender-athletenull@newadvent.org (null)The U.S. Supreme Court on June 30 ruled that states can bar men from competing in women’s sporting leagues, dealing a blow to LGBT activists who have advocated for allowing men who “identify” as women to join female teams. The court ruled in a consolidated set of cases out of Idaho and West Virginia that federal Title IX rules permit schools... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8248371454185380491Lefthttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nun-arrested-ice-walked-mass-texas-released-rcna352374null@newadvent.org (null)A nun was released from immigration custody after she was arrested walking to Mass in her habit in South Texas. Sister Leticia Ugboaja was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, just a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday when she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1193294878614457582Centerhttps://knowingisdoing.org/blog/when-you-divorce-christ-your-ministrynull@newadvent.org (Marlon De La Torre)There is a beautiful passage in St. John’s Gospel- yes, there are many- that unveils Christ’s love for humanity and reveals his power and glory as the Word made flesh. After he entered Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Pharisees were astounded to see so many people greet Jesus and commented... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2065618853134355993Lefthttps://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/cynicismnull@newadvent.org (Marcel LeJeune)I had a plan to exponentially grow the ministry I was running, and I was excited and hopeful. It was discerned out of real time in prayer and had the blessing of my pastor. The plan involved something we had never done before - fundraising millions. So my pastor and I went to talk to the bishop... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-794613869831876403Centerhttps://www.tasteofhome.com/article/1776-menu/null@newadvent.org (null)Colonial Americans were doing some pretty fascinating things with cornmeal and whipped cream. If you could go back and sit down to dinner in 1776, the scene would probably look far more practical and lived-in than the polished Colonial Williamsburg reenactment most of us have in our minds. The table might have dense slices of cake made sticky by dried fruit... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3668400606386528050Lefthttps://time.com/6284066/nba-finals-nikola-jokic-serbia/null@newadvent.org (null)Miloslav Ćuk hasn’t slept properly in six weeks. Ever since the NBA playoffs started, he’s been watching every Denver Nuggets game he can, most of which start at 2:30 a.m. in Serbia. For Serbians, this year’s playoffs are especially exciting since one of their own, the two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, has led the Nuggets to the NBA finals for the first time in his career. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7218990044823954964Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-peter-and-paul-show-path-to-church-unitynull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV has called on Christians to emulate the example of Sts. Peter and Paul in working toward the unity of the Church and of all Christians. The pontiff’s words were delivered during a Mass on June 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome. During the Mass, Leo also bestowed the pallium... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2270408397227253510Lefthttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/pope-leo-xiv-venezuela-appeal-prayers-death-toll.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)As he prayed the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV spoke in Spanish to express his closeness to Venezuela, where two massive earthquakes struck in quick succession this week. He invited everyone to join him in praying for victims and their families, as well as for the work of rescue crews. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5054599248976787651Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/features/lukas-father-tiernan-president-trumannull@newadvent.org (null)There was no precedent in American history for a close personal friendship between a Catholic priest and an American president until Harry S. Truman succeeded Franklin Delano Roosevelt in April 1945. Although a lifelong Baptist, Truman considered Father Curtis Tiernan to be his best friend... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3620427071261811097Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/therese-nietzsche-take-the-elevatornull@newadvent.org (Regis Martin)While on her way to Rome to ask the Pope for permission to enter Carmel at age 15, she finds herself in Paris with her father and sister ensconced in a hotel with one of those brand-new contraptions called an elevator, which she has never before seen. What an amazing invention! By simply pressing a button, you needn’t ever again climb all those awful stairs... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1252008843846513444Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/chapp-paglia-moral-theology-paradigm-shiftnull@newadvent.org (Larry Chapp)Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia — the former head of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome, as well as the former head of the Pontifical Academy for Life — recently granted an interview in which he openly admitted that one of his goals was to change the Catholic Church’s moral theology... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-248296660771144878Lefthttps://apnews.com/article/vatican-raphael-restoration-renaissance-fcdc1c3a4641badd42fe121a56e4cd91#null@newadvent.org (null)One of the most intricately decorated parts of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, a passageway walked by popes and presidents and attributed to Renaissance master Raphael, is getting its first major face-lift in over 500 years. The Vatican Museums on Wednesday announced the start of a five-year... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4925910677556617488Centerhttps://firstthings.com/confession-isnt-therapy/null@newadvent.org (null)Frequent confession was once normal—monthly, biweekly, or even weekly. But it became rarer among Catholics formed from the 1970s through the 1990s. Today, many Catholics go to confession only after major moral failures or when life feels spiritually overwhelming. Strictly speaking, confession is only required for mortal sins, and there was an emphasis... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4595089315513277164Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-love-christ-more-than-family-and-he-will-love-them-more-than-younull@newadvent.org (null)Jesus gives a lesson about the paradoxes of love im the Gospel for this Sunday’s Mass: Loving him means taking up your cross to set yourself free, losing your life to find it, and loving your family less in order to love them more. Here are five takeaways for Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8338402862278472202Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/news/pentin-june-2026-consistory-previewnull@newadvent.org (Edward Pentin)This week’s extraordinary consistory of cardinals — the second of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate — aims to address criticisms made of the previous consistory that took place in January, but concerns remain going into the meeting regarding its synodal structure and discussion topics. The June 26-27 consistory, to be attended by both voting and non-voting members of the College of Cardinals in the presence of the Pope... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8021533198129766958Lefthttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/pope-leo-xiv-opening-address-consistory-cardinals.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)“I need your freedom, your frankness, and your loyalty. Sincere counsel is always an act of communion.” Pope Leo XIV opened the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals on Friday with that invitation to his brother Cardinals. Held in the Paul VI Hall, the Consistory will last until Saturday evening and offers the Cardinals an opportunity to discern together with the Pope... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8680342785948719533Centerhttps://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/pope-leos-top-priority-easing-divisions/null@newadvent.org (null)As he enters a papal conclave, any cardinal might consider the possibility that he could emerge as Sovereign Pontiff. If he has been listed among the papabile, he has surely thought about that prospect; perhaps he has even aspired to sit on Peter’s Throne... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7846138686665196336Lefthttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/what-is-the-catholic-view-of-the-rapturenull@newadvent.org (Clement Harrold)The modern idea of the rapture is a theological novelty. Originally invented by John Nelson Darby in the 1830s, this theory has since become popular in many Protestant circles. It entered mainstream consciousness in the mid-1990s because of the bestselling Left Behind book series and the spinoff movies they inspired... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5412188912503029404Centerhttps://tmattingly.substack.com/p/crossroads-yes-the-genesis-rainbownull@newadvent.org (Terry Mattingly)Please rise, for the hymn of the day: “Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd; Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don’t care if I never get back. Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don’t win, it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, At the old ball game.” Now, today’s reading from Major League Baseball’s book of the law and profits... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6588732206792540792Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/meet-sr-rani-and-some-world-cup-tipsnull@newadvent.org (null)Today I want to tell you about Blessed Sister Rani Maria Vattalil. She lived in India, was a Syro-Malabar Catholic, and entered religious life with her cousin in the early 1970s, when they were young women. Her religious community was a local movement of Franciscan sisters, primarily a teaching order. But Sister Rani didn’t become a teacher... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2832510757861948080Centerhttps://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/vatican-rejects-german-bishops-request-for-lay-homilies-at-massnull@newadvent.org (null)The Vatican has rejected a request by the German Bishops’ Conference to allow lay faithful, in exceptional circumstances, to preach the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist. The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments communicated the decision in a letter dated June 17 addressed to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, president of the German Bishops’ Conference... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-4677999312142044779Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-says-fear-no-one-then-joins-with-us-to-face-the-worldnull@newadvent.org (null)There is no reason to be quiet about what we have found in our faith, Jesus tells his original disciples — and us — in the Gospel for this Sunday, the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. After all, if what we believe is the truth, and it is, those we share it with will one day thank us eternally for telling them — or blame us for leaving them in the dark... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2209356273036723259Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/desouza-remembering-cardinal-ruininull@newadvent.org (null)There being a goodly number of elderly cardinals in Rome, their funerals are fairly common. Within a few days of their deaths, a funeral Mass is celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Altar of the Chair in the apse. That was not the case for Cardinal Ruini... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7905392646859756656Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/which-nations-have-been-consecratednull@newadvent.org (null)On March 25, 1874, Ecuador became the world’s first nation to be consecrated officially to the Sacred Heart with full state backing. The consecration was proclaimed jointly by Ecuador’s President Gabriel García Moreno and Archbishop José Ignacio Checa y Barba at Quito Metropolitan Cathedral. The act inspired a global wave of national consecrations that continues to this day... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6189965652213449239Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/pope-leo-xiv-in-pavia-i-care-about-our-city.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)During his pastoral visit to Pavia on Saturday, Pope Leo addressed civic and religious authorities and the faithful gathered in one of the city's main squares, reflecting on the beauty of Paviaa. "The city is both a gift and a task", he said, noting that its monuments, schools, university, hospital, and parish centres all bear witness to a shared commitment to human dignity, education, culture, and solidarity. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1079045443635158483Lefthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/family-life-dark-matter-and-unlovablenull@newadvent.org (null)For reasons of, I assume, terrible coincidence, this last week has seen several friends of mine, and friends of the Pillar family all, dealing with urgent medical emergencies. They’ve all been in my prayers this week, and if you’ve room I’d ask you to include them in yours, too. It’s a sobering thing, standing in close proximity as families you care about... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-3211167439236158540Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/news/liedl-joe-capizzi-notre-damenull@newadvent.org (Jonathan Liedl)Advocates for the University of Notre Dame’s Catholic identity are welcoming the selection of a prominent moral theologian to lead an on-campus “Catholic think tank,” nearly two years after a leadership shakeup raised concerns about the influential institute’s future. The university announced on June 15 that Joe Capizzi, the current dean of theology... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7716178280458561825Lefthttps://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/49112039/atlantic-league-york-revolution-forfeit-game-some-players-refuse-wear-pride-night-jerseynull@newadvent.org (null)An independent minor league baseball team says it is forfeiting a game because some of its players refused to wear a special Pride Night jersey. The Atlantic League Pro Baseball's York Revolution were planning to hold their 11th annual Pride Night event Thursday for a game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7956337814916645088Centerhttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/funeral-cardinal-camillo-ruini-pope-leo-wise-diligent-shepherd.htmlnull@newadvent.org (null)A “wise and diligent shepherd” who served the Church “both in the humblest tasks and in those laden with the greatest responsibility.” A guide for the People of God and for his brother bishops, offering a direction “in important and delicate moments." That was how Pope Leo XIV, in his funeral homily, described Cardinal Camillo Ruini... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-324786385172224341Lefthttps://aleteia.org/2026/06/14/without-the-incredible-hulk-i-wouldnt-be-catholic/null@newadvent.org (null)When I read what the Polish Holy Father wrote about the Apostles to the Slavs, I think of two Polish apostles to the slob, the “slob” being me. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical tells the stories of Cyril and Methodius, two talented brothers who retired early to “one of the monasteries at the foot of Mount Olympus” until they were sent to Slavic people who needed... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6176282042567520979Centerhttps://life-craft.org/fathers-at-home-a-better-view-of-gender-roles-in-the-family/null@newadvent.org (John Cuddeback)In reflecting on Father’s Day this year, I want to address the issue of a father’s role in the home. This issue is particularly difficult to discuss today, because, in my estimation, the issue is rarely well-framed. Take, for instance, the fact that for many years the General Social Survey (GSS) has asked respondents whether they agree or disagree with the following statement... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-2895258998484190711Lefthttps://www.catholic.com/magazine/blog/in-vidal-veritasnull@newadvent.org (Tom Nash)I recall from the 1970s when homosexual activists overwhelmingly disdained marriage with its “traditional” and “monogamous” foundations, and simply wanted the government “out of our bedrooms.” Their focus was on personal sexual liberation and fulfillment, and thus they sought the repeal of state sodomy laws... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5632074394166373437Centerhttps://popes.substack.com/p/a-saintly-leo-loses-on-the-battlefieldnull@newadvent.org (Matthew Sewell)Today in Papal History marks one of the most consequential battles of perhaps the most consequential century in Medieval Christendom: The Battle of Civitate. The belligerents were the Italian Normans on one side and the forces of Pope St. Leo IX on the other. As I wrote in a prior episode on Leo IX, the Normans were, in those days, on a bit of a rampage through southern Italy. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7438630893657851809Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/news/pentin-cardinal-ruini-dies-obituarynull@newadvent.org (null)Cardinal Camillo Ruini, a formidable strategist of the Church in Italy during the pontificate of Pope St. John Paul II and a key architect of its post-Cold War engagement with politics and culture, died Tuesday in Rome. As head of Italy’s bishops’ conference and vicar of Rome during the 1990s and the 2000s, the cardinal often took strong and influential stances on social and moral issues... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-452644111882595764Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/chapp-what-is-synodalitynull@newadvent.org (null)Pope Leo XIV certainly has a lot on his plate. And with his recent successful visit to Spain and the release of his first encyclical, he is establishing his own vision for the Catholic Church and the world. Every pope faces a delicate balancing act between continuity with previous pontificates and the need, perhaps, to “correct,” or at least modify and nuance, the decisions of his predecessors. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-6315780041476063812Lefthttps://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/examenfordisciplesnull@newadvent.org (null)Have you ever drifted off course in your life? Maybe we let our prayer life slip a bit. We let bad habits creep in and good ones go. We wait too long between Confessions. We haven’t been bold in sharing our faith with others in a long time. It happens to us all. Most of us don't notice we've drifted until something forces us to take notice of what is happening... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8714430520138850744Centerhttps://knowingisdoing.org/blog/human-freedom-and-death-christ-inseparable-relationshipnull@newadvent.org (null)There is passive and active awareness of the gift of freedom in the life of man. Active in that we have received a gift from God to think and act freely. The formula of this freedom, rooted in our soul and expressed through our own intellect and will, provides us with an opportunity to actively engage life at our own discretion under the providence of God... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8399625087112486356Lefthttps://stpaulcenter.com/posts/be-not-afraid-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-twelfth-sunday-in-ordinary-timenull@newadvent.org (null)Our commitment to Christ will be put to the test. We will hear whispered warnings and denunciations, as Jeremiah does in today’s First Reading. Even so-called friends will try to trap and trip us up. For His sake we will bear insults and be made outcasts—even in our own homes, we hear in today’s Psalm. As Jeremiah tells us... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-8038463960696272152Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/news/smartphones-and-infertilitynull@newadvent.org (null)The answer to what’s driving the steep decline in fertility in the U.S. that began in 2007 has eluded researchers for some time. Now, a new study suggests that the advent of smartphones is at least partially responsible, as some social scientists have long suspected. The study, released in June, used mobile coverage maps... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-5357021809791726959Lefthttps://media.benedictine.edu/my-parish-destroyed-my-faith-as-a-child-laypeople-restored-itnull@newadvent.org (null)I am a member of the generation who went to religious education and Mass and never learned about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For whatever reason decades of Catholics weren’t taught about the Eucharist — or brought to confession. When I learned from classmates in college that Catholics believe that the bread and wine of the Eucharist become the body and blood of Christ... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-1074563263430455586Centerhttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/stagnaro-julia-greeley-red-wagonnull@newadvent.org (Angelo Stagnaro)At the last reckoning, America has produced 10 canonized saints — 11 if you count Mother Teresa, who became an honorary U.S. citizen in 1996. In addition, we have five blesseds and 15 venerables. We certainly have been blessed with an abundance of holy examples and Christians in heaven praying for us... tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-7032544297928374413Lefthttps://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/pope-leo-s-illuminating-evening-at-la-sagrada-familianull@newadvent.org (null)Is the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona the most important church in the world? No other church has had a pope visit for its dedication — twice! With thousands in attendance within the basilica, and an estimated 120,000 reportedly gathering outside, Wednesday evening’s Mass at the Sagrada Familia was the highlight of Pope Leo XIV’s two days in Barcelona. tag:newadvent.org,1999:blog-3972000218521616682.post-623683901582662713Centerhttps://www.osvnews.com/consecration-101-what-the-bishops-upcoming-consecration-of-the-us-to-the-sacred-heart-means/null@newadvent.org (null)Catholics may be most familiar with consecration in the Mass, when a priest consecrates the Eucharist through the Holy Spirit by reciting a prayer formula that transubstantiates bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. But the theologians distinguished between consecrating the Eucharist and consecrating a location, in which there is not a specifically worded prayer.