The pontiff also met Portugal’s president to discuss conflicts, migration, multilateralism, and international law.
![‘A foretaste of heaven’: Sheen beatification organizers eager for Mass – #Catholic – ST. LOUIS — For Bonnie Engstrom, who witnessed her newborn child miraculously healed through the intercession of soon-to-be Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the journey to the prelate’s beatification has been an “emotional roller coaster.”The Sept. 24 Mass will be “a foretaste of heaven,” she predicted, “where we are all going to be worshipping God together and celebrating the Church as a whole, and the power of the body of Christ and every good grace that God has given us. I am so looking forward to it,” Engstrom said at a Thursday morning press conference.Engstrom spoke to the media along with Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, and Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation in Peoria. Gray said it is a relief, after years of technical investigations and paperwork, to see their work finally come to fruition and be able to join in the celebration of Sheen with the faithful.That said, Gray admitted he has been surprised during the process at how much attention Sheen has attracted, particularly among young people.“One question that came up early on [was]: Whoʼs going to care? All the people who knew him when his program was on are very old. But weʼve discovered young people are inspired by Sheen, because heʼs a voice of integrity that inspires people who did not know him in life, that have discovered him in the years since,” Gray said. “So itʼs just exciting to see how much enthusiasm there is,”Tylka agreed, highlighting the fact that Sheen pioneered “new media” in his day — attracting wide attention, including from non-Catholics — serving as an inspiration to those looking to do the same in 2026. He also showed how to bridge divisions in the Church and in the world because he “always spoke with the truth of the Gospel, with charity and with clarity.”“Sheenʼs message is timeless because he spoke the truth and he spoke the truth with clarity and charity. I think a lot of people in the world, especially young people, are searching for purpose and meaning and to have a voice that so convicted, he presents the truth of our faith, our belief in Jesus Christ, the truth that God loves us and that life is worth living. I think thatʼs very appealing,” Tylka said.‘Local boy’The beatification Mass Thursday afternoon will include 89 bishops, about 1,000 priests, about 850 each of seminarians and religious, and 250 deacons, along with about 50,000 total attendees, Gray said. The Mass, which can be viewed live on EWTN with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET, will be celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pope Leo XIV’s representative.James Fulton Engstrom, the third of Bonnie and Travis’ eight children and the recipient of the confirmed miracle that led to Sheen’s beatification, will play a part in the Mass by presenting several relics of Sheen onstage. Gray and Tylka both displayed two of the relics during the press conference: one of Sheen’s zuchettos — the reddish-purple skullcap worn by archbishops — and Sheen’s pectoral cross.
One of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s zuchettos, the reddish-purple skullcap worn by archbishops, is displayed during a press conference ahead of Sheenʼs beatification on Sept. 24, 2026. | Credit: Jonah McKeown/EWTN News
James Fulton, who was born in 2010, spent 61 minutes without a heartbeat while his mother prayed fervently to Sheen to help her child — whom she and her husband had already named after the famous archbishop. Almost exactly 16 years later, James is a happy and healthy teenager. The fact that James’ healing was a miracle was attested to unanimously by the medical experts, cardinals and others at the Vatican tasked with investigating it. In a later on-air interview with EWTN on Thursday, his mother said she sees a connection between Sheen’s devotion to spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament every day and the 61 minutes her son lie lifeless.“As a laywoman, I was so impressed with how thorough the investigation was. And Travis and I felt very reassured that, wow, when the Catholic Church says something is a miracle, it is a miracle,” Engstrom commented during the press conference.When asked why she chose to call upon Sheen specifically in such a dire moment, Engstrom noted that Sheen had been a favorite of their family for years — a “local boy” with a down-to-earth Midwestern air, a “warm character” who reminded Engstrom of her own grandfather and great-grandfather. In that context, calling on Sheen during the worst hour of her and her husband’s life made complete sense, she said.Despite his highly unusual birth story, James himself is an ordinary kid, a “punk teenage boy,” Engstrom joked, who didn’t ask to be thrust into the spotlight. Nevertheless, he is also a “delightful young man” who is excited — albeit a little nervous — to play a part in the beatification Mass for the intercessor who helped save his life, Engstrom continued.“For all of our children, weʼve put all of our kids under the patronage of a saint and have really built a culture where we are celebrating feast days. We are calling on their intercession. I want all of my kids to feel like they have a squad that surrounds them, that is following them through life, praying for them, interceding, cheering them on,” she said.Gray noted that because the late Pope Francis originally announced Sheen’s beatification in July 2019, any purported miracle attributed to his intercession that has taken place since then can count toward his eventual canonization, which typically requires a second miracle to move forward. Gray said the Vatican is considering six different potential miracles involving Sheen’s intercession, including an alleged instantaneous healing from cancer and a healing of another newborn from a condition similar to James’. Pope Leo, a native of Illinois like Sheen, is well aware of the archbishop’s cause, Tylka added.Both Tylka and Gray said they have no doubt that Sheen will one day be canonized.“Americaʼs bishop, as Sheen was known, is being beatified during the 250th anniversary of our nation,” Tylka said. “And we have a pope from Chicago, a native son of Illinois, who gave the green light for this to move forward. So I think all of those things say itʼs pretty opportune … I hope that the time between now and actual canonization wonʼt be that long.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a-foretaste-of-heaven-sheen-beatification-organizers-eager-for-mass-catholic-st-louis-for-bonnie-engstrom-who-witnessed-her-newborn-child-miraculously-healed-throug-scaled.jpg "‘A foretaste of heaven’: Sheen beatification organizers eager for Mass – #Catholic – ST. LOUIS — For Bonnie Engstrom, who witnessed her newborn child miraculously healed through the intercession of soon-to-be Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the journey to the prelate’s beatification has been an “emotional roller coaster.”The Sept. 24 Mass will be “a foretaste of heaven,” she predicted, “where we are all going to be worshipping God together and celebrating the Church as a whole, and the power of the body of Christ and every good grace that God has given us. I am so looking forward to it,” Engstrom said at a Thursday morning press conference.Engstrom spoke to the media along with Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, and Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation in Peoria. Gray said it is a relief, after years of technical investigations and paperwork, to see their work finally come to fruition and be able to join in the celebration of Sheen with the faithful.That said, Gray admitted he has been surprised during the process at how much attention Sheen has attracted, particularly among young people.“One question that came up early on [was]: Whoʼs going to care? All the people who knew him when his program was on are very old. But weʼve discovered young people are inspired by Sheen, because heʼs a voice of integrity that inspires people who did not know him in life, that have discovered him in the years since,” Gray said. “So itʼs just exciting to see how much enthusiasm there is,”Tylka agreed, highlighting the fact that Sheen pioneered “new media” in his day — attracting wide attention, including from non-Catholics — serving as an inspiration to those looking to do the same in 2026. He also showed how to bridge divisions in the Church and in the world because he “always spoke with the truth of the Gospel, with charity and with clarity.”“Sheenʼs message is timeless because he spoke the truth and he spoke the truth with clarity and charity. I think a lot of people in the world, especially young people, are searching for purpose and meaning and to have a voice that so convicted, he presents the truth of our faith, our belief in Jesus Christ, the truth that God loves us and that life is worth living. I think thatʼs very appealing,” Tylka said.‘Local boy’The beatification Mass Thursday afternoon will include 89 bishops, about 1,000 priests, about 850 each of seminarians and religious, and 250 deacons, along with about 50,000 total attendees, Gray said. The Mass, which can be viewed live on EWTN with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET, will be celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pope Leo XIV’s representative.James Fulton Engstrom, the third of Bonnie and Travis’ eight children and the recipient of the confirmed miracle that led to Sheen’s beatification, will play a part in the Mass by presenting several relics of Sheen onstage. Gray and Tylka both displayed two of the relics during the press conference: one of Sheen’s zuchettos — the reddish-purple skullcap worn by archbishops — and Sheen’s pectoral cross.
One of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s zuchettos, the reddish-purple skullcap worn by archbishops, is displayed during a press conference ahead of Sheenʼs beatification on Sept. 24, 2026. | Credit: Jonah McKeown/EWTN News
James Fulton, who was born in 2010, spent 61 minutes without a heartbeat while his mother prayed fervently to Sheen to help her child — whom she and her husband had already named after the famous archbishop. Almost exactly 16 years later, James is a happy and healthy teenager. The fact that James’ healing was a miracle was attested to unanimously by the medical experts, cardinals and others at the Vatican tasked with investigating it. In a later on-air interview with EWTN on Thursday, his mother said she sees a connection between Sheen’s devotion to spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament every day and the 61 minutes her son lie lifeless.“As a laywoman, I was so impressed with how thorough the investigation was. And Travis and I felt very reassured that, wow, when the Catholic Church says something is a miracle, it is a miracle,” Engstrom commented during the press conference.When asked why she chose to call upon Sheen specifically in such a dire moment, Engstrom noted that Sheen had been a favorite of their family for years — a “local boy” with a down-to-earth Midwestern air, a “warm character” who reminded Engstrom of her own grandfather and great-grandfather. In that context, calling on Sheen during the worst hour of her and her husband’s life made complete sense, she said.Despite his highly unusual birth story, James himself is an ordinary kid, a “punk teenage boy,” Engstrom joked, who didn’t ask to be thrust into the spotlight. Nevertheless, he is also a “delightful young man” who is excited — albeit a little nervous — to play a part in the beatification Mass for the intercessor who helped save his life, Engstrom continued.“For all of our children, weʼve put all of our kids under the patronage of a saint and have really built a culture where we are celebrating feast days. We are calling on their intercession. I want all of my kids to feel like they have a squad that surrounds them, that is following them through life, praying for them, interceding, cheering them on,” she said.Gray noted that because the late Pope Francis originally announced Sheen’s beatification in July 2019, any purported miracle attributed to his intercession that has taken place since then can count toward his eventual canonization, which typically requires a second miracle to move forward. Gray said the Vatican is considering six different potential miracles involving Sheen’s intercession, including an alleged instantaneous healing from cancer and a healing of another newborn from a condition similar to James’. Pope Leo, a native of Illinois like Sheen, is well aware of the archbishop’s cause, Tylka added.Both Tylka and Gray said they have no doubt that Sheen will one day be canonized.“Americaʼs bishop, as Sheen was known, is being beatified during the 250th anniversary of our nation,” Tylka said. “And we have a pope from Chicago, a native son of Illinois, who gave the green light for this to move forward. So I think all of those things say itʼs pretty opportune … I hope that the time between now and actual canonization wonʼt be that long.”")
The Sept. 24 beatification Mass will include 89 bishops, about 1,000 priests, about 850 each of seminarians and religious, and 250 deacons, along with about 50,000 total attendees, organizers said.
The bishop looked beyond Sheen’s public fame to the prayer, sacrifice, and friendship with Christ that shaped his life.
On Sept. 24, 1970, Luna 16 blazed a new trail in lunar sample collection – one traversed by robots. Although the Apollo astronauts had collected lunar samples on their missions, Luna 16 was the first instance of samples being gathered and returned to Earth fully robotically, with no astronauts (or cosmonauts) involved. After blasting offContinue reading “Sept. 24, 1970: Luna 16 brings back regolith”
The post Sept. 24, 1970: Luna 16 brings back regolith appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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Church of the Jesuit College, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
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Running through glacial landscapes and charming towns, the Ice Age Trail offers year-round outdoor adventures.
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“Haiku” prayers, in Japanese poetical form, have their origin in the fourteenth century. They consist of 17 syllables arranged in three lines (5-7-5). This provides a simple format for composing personal and family prayers. The following haiku prayer is a Canadian example. You are encouraged to develop your own.
Blessed mother, pray
to Jesus for all the world,
pray to Him for us.
![As beatification nears, new book explains why Fulton Sheen was ‘America’s Apostle’ #Catholic With the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen approaching, a new book on the life and legacy of the evangelist and television and radio show host explains why he was “America’s Apostle.”Allan Smith, founder and director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada, published the book “America’s Apostle” on Sept. 15, just ahead of the archbishop’s beatification on Sept. 24.“I think … the title is a perfect one — ‘Americaʼs Apostle,’ because he really was an apostle to the American people in the great tradition of apostles,” Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News Matthew Bunson told “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Veronica Dudo on Sept. 22.The book was published through EWTN Publishing and Sophia Institute Press.“[Sheen] was a brilliant communicator; he had immense gifts on television, radio, as a writer, as a poet,” Bunson said. “But all of that was geared toward proclaiming Jesus Christ in exactly the same way that a good apostle should.”Sheen began his media career as a priest, hosting an hourlong radio show called “The Catholic Hour” in 1930 until he was consecrated an auxiliary bishop in New York in 1951 and transitioned to television, hosting “Life Is Worth Living.” At its peak, Sheen’s radio show was reaching about 4 million people weekly, and his television show was reaching about 30 million people.“Like a good apostle, he used all the means of communications at his disposal,” Bunson said. “I just mentioned television, radio, you name it. He wanted to use it. So itʼs perfectly appropriate, I think, for him to be called ‘Americaʼs Apostle.’”Sheen also reserved one hour every day for prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning this when he was ordained in 1919 until he died in 1979. He was found dead at the age of 84 in his chapel in front of the Blessed Sacrament.Bunson explained that Sheen “made a promise on the day of his ordination” that he would do a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. He also noted Sheen wrote in his autobiography, “Treasure in Clay,” that he prepared for his homilies, his books, and his speeches in front of the Eucharist.
The book cover for “America’s Apostle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen” features a portrait of Sheen. It was released days before Sheen’s beatification set for Sept. 24, 2026. | Credit: EWTN
“He made the Blessed Sacrament his way of not just preparing, but making himself holy and worthy of the people he was talking to,” Bunson said. “Because thatʼs how seriously he took what he was saying.”“So as a communicator, it wasnʼt just communicating about himself,” he said. “He was always proclaiming a person, and that was Jesus Christ. And he did that by developing and fostering his love for the Eucharist. And he did it in the Holy Hour.”“Fulton Sheen, pray for us,” Bunson concluded.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/as-beatification-nears-new-book-explains-why-fulton-sheen-was-americas-apostle-catholic-with-the-beatification-of-archbishop-fulton-sheen-approaching-a-new-book-on-the-li.png "As beatification nears, new book explains why Fulton Sheen was ‘America’s Apostle’ #Catholic With the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen approaching, a new book on the life and legacy of the evangelist and television and radio show host explains why he was “America’s Apostle.”Allan Smith, founder and director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada, published the book “America’s Apostle” on Sept. 15, just ahead of the archbishop’s beatification on Sept. 24.“I think … the title is a perfect one — ‘Americaʼs Apostle,’ because he really was an apostle to the American people in the great tradition of apostles,” Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News Matthew Bunson told “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Veronica Dudo on Sept. 22.The book was published through EWTN Publishing and Sophia Institute Press.“[Sheen] was a brilliant communicator; he had immense gifts on television, radio, as a writer, as a poet,” Bunson said. “But all of that was geared toward proclaiming Jesus Christ in exactly the same way that a good apostle should.”Sheen began his media career as a priest, hosting an hourlong radio show called “The Catholic Hour” in 1930 until he was consecrated an auxiliary bishop in New York in 1951 and transitioned to television, hosting “Life Is Worth Living.” At its peak, Sheen’s radio show was reaching about 4 million people weekly, and his television show was reaching about 30 million people.“Like a good apostle, he used all the means of communications at his disposal,” Bunson said. “I just mentioned television, radio, you name it. He wanted to use it. So itʼs perfectly appropriate, I think, for him to be called ‘Americaʼs Apostle.’”Sheen also reserved one hour every day for prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning this when he was ordained in 1919 until he died in 1979. He was found dead at the age of 84 in his chapel in front of the Blessed Sacrament.Bunson explained that Sheen “made a promise on the day of his ordination” that he would do a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. He also noted Sheen wrote in his autobiography, “Treasure in Clay,” that he prepared for his homilies, his books, and his speeches in front of the Eucharist.
The book cover for “America’s Apostle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen” features a portrait of Sheen. It was released days before Sheen’s beatification set for Sept. 24, 2026. | Credit: EWTN
“He made the Blessed Sacrament his way of not just preparing, but making himself holy and worthy of the people he was talking to,” Bunson said. “Because thatʼs how seriously he took what he was saying.”“So as a communicator, it wasnʼt just communicating about himself,” he said. “He was always proclaiming a person, and that was Jesus Christ. And he did that by developing and fostering his love for the Eucharist. And he did it in the Holy Hour.”“Fulton Sheen, pray for us,” Bunson concluded.")
The book by Allan Smith was published on Sept. 15, about one week before the beatification. EWTN’s Matthew Bunson discusses the book and Sheen’s legacy on “EWTN News Nightly.”
An image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope of galaxy cluster MACS J0417 is part of repeated observations to monitor for the reappearance of supernova Athena, which can help astronomers measure the expansion rate of the universe.
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Addressing the scourge of sexual abuse, the archbishop of Panama requested the services of the Transparency Commission, a project sponsored by Notre Dame Law School and Madrid’s Villanueva University.
A reading from the Book Ecclesiastes
1:2-11
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
What profit has man from all the labor
which he toils at under the sun?
One generation passes and another comes,
but the world forever stays.
The sun rises and the sun goes down;
then it presses on to the place where it rises.
Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,
the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.
All rivers go to the sea,
yet never does the sea become full.
To the place where they go,
the rivers keep on going.
All speech is labored;
there is nothing one can say.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing
nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.
What has been, that will be;
what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun.
Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!”
has already existed in the ages that preceded us.
There is no remembrance of the men of old;
nor of those to come will there be any remembrance
among those who come after them.
From the Gospel according to Luke
9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
You come to know Jesus in the day-to-day routine of everyday life. (…) Yes, you must learn about Jesus from the Catechism. But it is not enough to know Him with your mind: that is just the first step. You must come to know Jesus through dialogue with Him, by speaking to Him, in prayer, on your knees. If you do not pray, if you do not speak to Jesus, you do not know Him. You know things about Jesus, but you do not have that knowledge which the heart gives you in prayer. Knowing Jesus with the mind comes from studying the Catechism; knowing Jesus with the heart comes from prayer and dialogue with Him. This helps us quite a lot, but it is not enough… There is a third way to get to know Jesus: it is discipleship. Going with Him, walking with Him. (…) One cannot get to know Jesus without committing yourself to Him, without staking your life on Him. When so many people – including ourselves – ask this question, “But who is this?”, the Word of God answers us: “Do you want to know who this is? Read what the Church tells you about Him, speak to Him in prayer and walk His path with Him. In this way, you will come to know who this man is”. This is the way! (Pope Francis, Homily at Santa Marta, 26 September 2013)
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Música y Misión: la Diócesis de Paterson convoca a sus músicos litúrgicos para una jornada de formación con OCP #Catholic – 
Músicos, cantores, directores de coro e instrumentistas de la Diócesis de Paterson se reunirán el sábado 3 de octubre para una jornada de formación, oración y encuentro junto al Instituto OCP. El evento se celebrará de 8:00 a.m. a 3:30 p.m. en la iglesia St. Andrew the Apostle, ubicada en 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., Clifton.
La jornada forma parte de Música y Misión, un programa de formación de un año dirigido a quienes sirven en el ministerio de la música litúrgica. A lo largo del programa, los participantes tienen acceso a sesiones virtuales a través de Facebook y Zoom sobre distintos aspectos de la música y la liturgia. El encuentro del 3 de octubre será el primero de carácter presencial y ofrecerá a músicos de distintas parroquias la oportunidad de conocerse, aprender juntos y compartir sus experiencias de servicio.
“La formación nos ayuda a recordar que la música no es solamente algo que hacemos durante la Misa; es un ministerio que ponemos al servicio de Dios y de nuestra comunidad”, señala Alejandra Osorio, músico de la iglesia Santa Margarita de Escocia en Morristown.
Un programa abierto a nuevos participantes
No es necesario haber asistido a las sesiones virtuales anteriores para participar en el encuentro presencial. Los músicos que aún no se hayan incorporado al programa pueden asistir, conocer la iniciativa y comenzar su proceso de formación junto a otros músicos de la diócesis.
La jornada se desarrollará en español y está dirigida principalmente a músicos de las comunidades hispanas de la diócesis. También están invitados quienes entiendan español, incluidos directores y músicos de habla inglesa interesados en conocer el repertorio y las tradiciones musicales de las comunidades hispanas.
Los ponentes
El evento contará con la participación de los músicos y compositores católicos Iván Díaz y Silvio Cuéllar.
Díaz, nacido y criado en Colombia, es compositor de música católica bilingüe, director coral y músico pastoral. Cuenta con una maestría en dirección coral y se desempeña actualmente como director de Campus Ministry en St. Thomas University, en Miami. Sus composiciones forman parte de varias colecciones de OCP, incluida Nuestra Alegría / Our Joy. En 2024 recibió el reconocimiento de Compositor Católico Distinguido del Año, otorgado por la Association of Catholic Publishers.
Cuéllar nació en Córdoba, Argentina, y creció en Bolivia antes de emigrar a Estados Unidos. Es músico pastoral, compositor, periodista y conferencista especializado en liturgia y vida familiar. Miembro fundador de la Asociación de Músicos Pastorales Hispanos, ha dedicado parte importante de su ministerio a la formación y el acompañamiento de comunidades católicas hispanas.
Contenido de la jornada
Durante el encuentro se abordarán temas como la espiritualidad del músico litúrgico, la técnica vocal y la formación de coros efectivos, con herramientas tanto prácticas como espirituales para quienes ejercen este ministerio en sus parroquias.
El programa incluirá también una sesión dedicada al repertorio de música de alabanza, utilizando el himnario Flor y Canto, cuarta edición, como recurso para explorar cantos apropiados para la celebración litúrgica en español.
Música y Misión busca fortalecer la formación de quienes sirven a través de la música y subrayar el papel que el canto y los instrumentos desempeñan en la participación de la comunidad durante la liturgia.
El costo de participación es de $25 e incluye alimentos. Para información y registro, comuníquese con Yessenia Castillo, de la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Paterson, al (973) 538-0874, ext. 108, o por correo electrónico a hispanicoffice@patersondiocese.org.
Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.
– Músicos, cantores, directores de coro e instrumentistas de la Diócesis de Paterson se reunirán el sábado 3 de octubre para una jornada de formación, oración y encuentro junto al Instituto OCP. El evento se celebrará de 8:00 a.m. a 3:30 p.m. en la iglesia St. Andrew the Apostle, ubicada en 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., Clifton. La jornada forma parte de Música y Misión, un programa de formación de un año dirigido a quienes sirven en el ministerio de la música litúrgica. A lo largo del programa, los participantes tienen acceso a sesiones virtuales a través de Facebook y Zoom sobre
Padre Pio is known for his deep wisdom, his stigmata, miraculous reports of his bilocation, being physically attacked by the devil, and mastering the spiritual life.
The Archdiocese of Colombo welcomed the ruling but said those convicted are only part of the case, as a separate probe into alleged state links continues.
The pope’s appeal followed a reflection on how human progress finds full truth and freedom in an encounter with God.
Annual Walk of Hope supports Haiti schoolchildren #Catholic – 
Rainy weather didn’t deter about 50 people from coming out to support St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s second annual Walk of Hope, on Sept. 20, at Kantor Memorial Park in Gillette, N.J. Children were able to participate in educational and fun activities, and there were snacks, homemade treats, beverages and ice cream for all.
Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, led the walk kick-off prayer for the event, which raised more than $7,000 from generous sponsors and donors, including many local businesses and organizations, to support St. Vincent’s sister parish, St. Paul in Nanpol in Haiti. This year, the funds will primarily support the school and meal program serving more than 130 schoolchildren.
Since 2017, the Haiti’s Hope Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township , N.J., has funded the installation of a solar-powered water pump filtration system, helped construct and operate a school, and started a school meal program.
To learn more about Haiti’s Hope Ministry, please visit stvincentschurch.org.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
– Rainy weather didn’t deter about 50 people from coming out to support St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s second annual Walk of Hope, on Sept. 20, at Kantor Memorial Park in Gillette, N.J. Children were able to participate in educational and fun activities, and there were snacks, homemade treats, beverages and ice cream for all. Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, led the walk kick-off prayer for the event, which raised more than $7,000 from generous sponsors and donors, including many local businesses and organizations, to support St. Vincent’s sister parish, St. Paul in Nanpol in Haiti. This year, the funds
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. September 22: The autumnal equinox The bright Moon stands prominently in Aquarius the Water-bearer this evening, quickly waxing toward Full. Swing your scope up toward Earth’s lone satellite tonight and focus in on a point just east of the terminator dividing nightContinue reading “The Sky Today on Wednesday, September 23: Around Reiner Gamma”
The post The Sky Today on Wednesday, September 23: Around Reiner Gamma appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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A historical reenactment of a pioneer traveling the Oregon Trail in Wyoming.
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The Sept. 15 murder of Father Román de la Cruz Hernández was likely perpetrated by organized crime and is not an isolated incident but forms part of a pattern of fear and intimidation.
A reading from the Book of Proverbs
30:5-9
Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, "Who is the LORD?"
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.
From the Gospel according to Luke
9:1-6
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.
There is no going without staying : before sending the disciples forth on mission, Christ — the Gospel says — “calls them to himself” (cf. Mt 10:1). The proclamation is born from the encounter with the Lord; every Christian activity, especially the mission, begins from there. Not from what is learnt in an academy. No, no! It begins from the encounter with the Lord. Witnessing him, in fact, means radiating him; but, if we do not receive his light, we will be extinguished; if we do not spend time with him, we will bear ourselves instead of him — I am bringing myself and not him — and it will all be in vain. So only those who remain with him can bring the Gospel of Jesus. Anyone who does not remain with him cannot bear the Gospel. He will bring ideas, but not the Gospel. Equally, however, there is no staying without going. In fact, following Christ is not an inward-looking fact: without proclamation, without service, without mission, the relationship with Jesus does not grow. (…) In other words: we have a gift, so we are called to make a gift of ourselves; we have received a gift and our vocation is to make a gift of ourselves to others; there is in us the joy of being children of God, it must be shared with our brothers and sisters who do not yet know it! This is the reason for the proclamation. Going forth and bringing the joy of what we have received. (…) This is how one should proclaim: by showing Jesus rather than talking about Jesus. And how do we show Jesus? With our witness. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 15 February 2023)
Read More![Venerable Fulton Sheen’s powerful messages still resonate with audiences #Catholic – If he were alive today, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen might be lighting up social media — like TikTok, Facebook, and X — with his simple, engaging lessons and stories about how to live a fulfilling life in Christ.
Matthew E. Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTNNews, said that Venerable Sheen, one of the 20th Century’s most influential Catholic evangelists, would already have attracted “millions of followers” on digital platforms by now. On the night of Sept. 16, Bunson made that assertion during his talk, “The Life and Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” at St. Thomas More Church in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
The well-attended presentation in Morris County occurred less than a week before Venerable Sheen is beatified this Thursday, Sept. 24, at a Mass at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. At that time, he will be designated as “blessed.” During his life, the nationally known TV and radio evangelist, author, and speaker traveled from his New York City residence to the Paterson Diocese, N.J., many times to give presentations and visit family and friends.
Fulton J. Sheen’s family overjoyed about his beatification
Long before digital media, Venerable Sheen transformed religious communications. Starting in the 1930s, he rose to fame, touching the lives of millions with the Catholic Hour radio show and, even more lives in the 1950s, with his popular TV program, Life is Worth Living. He also authored 73 books and countless pamphlets and essays explaining how the tenets of the Catholic faith enrich lives.
“The archbishop’s magnetic personality and presentations quickly drew an estimated 30 million viewers each week [to the TV show]. Jews, Protestants, Catholics and skeptics tuned in, quickly making him a household name,” Bunson said. The archbishop often beat his TV competitors on Sunday nights using little more than his engaging presentation, direct and into the camera, a corny joke, and writings on a chalkboard, he said. “It shows us [Catholic evangelizers] how to speak truth with clarity and charity. He possessed a variability to explain profound truths in language ordinary people could understand,” Bunson said.
Even today, Venerable Sheen reminds Catholics that no matter their walk of life, they are all called to be evangelists of the Gospel and to become saints, said Bunson, also a prominent Catholic historian, author, and theologian. In the modern age, Venerable Sheen has cultivated a huge following among Gen Z, he said.
Venerable Sheen’s “dramatic gestures or actual illustrations, and stories, were not entertainment for their own sake.” Instead, they were tools placed in the service of God’s truth, not to make himself famous. In accepting his Emmy award in 1952, he quipped, “I feel it is time I pay tribute to my four writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,” Bunson said.
“The archbishop understood that people are not searching for theories. They’re searching for meaning, forgiveness, truth, love, mercy, and hope. Christianity answers that search to a person,” said Bunson, adding Venerable Sheen spoke about the beauty of life and faith as well as the demands of the Gospel. “He challenged people to examine their consciousness and warned against materialism, pride, sexual immorality, indifference, resentment, and worship of social. The archbishop reminded his listeners that a person can gain the whole world and still lose their soul,” he said.
Venerable Sheen also staunchly promoted the pro-life cause long before legalized abortion and was a prophet of the Eucharistic revival. He also taught at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., was national director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and served as bishop of Rochester, N.Y. He died in 1979 at 84.
The New Jersey Area Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Church that seeks to glorify God through work with the sick and the poor and witness of the Catholic faith, sponsored the presentation. Christine Myers of the Order of Malta served as master of ceremonies. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and members of Venerable Sheen’s family attended.
After Bunson’s talk, the bishop told the crowd, “Thank God for Archbishop Sheen’s ministry, and we look forward to his beatification next Thursday.”
In his presentation, Bunson said, “The archbishop reminds us that the salvation of souls must remain our priority. Evangelization, however, can also take place through a microphone, television camera, classroom, a newspaper, conversation, in an ordinary home, or anyone who lives,” Bunson said.
BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/venerable-fulton-sheens-powerful-messages-still-resonate-with-audiences-catholic-if-he-were-alive-today-venerable-archbishop-fulton-j-sheen-might-be-lighting-up-social-media-li.jpg "Venerable Fulton Sheen’s powerful messages still resonate with audiences #Catholic – If he were alive today, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen might be lighting up social media — like TikTok, Facebook, and X — with his simple, engaging lessons and stories about how to live a fulfilling life in Christ.
Matthew E. Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTNNews, said that Venerable Sheen, one of the 20th Century’s most influential Catholic evangelists, would already have attracted “millions of followers” on digital platforms by now. On the night of Sept. 16, Bunson made that assertion during his talk, “The Life and Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” at St. Thomas More Church in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
The well-attended presentation in Morris County occurred less than a week before Venerable Sheen is beatified this Thursday, Sept. 24, at a Mass at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. At that time, he will be designated as “blessed.” During his life, the nationally known TV and radio evangelist, author, and speaker traveled from his New York City residence to the Paterson Diocese, N.J., many times to give presentations and visit family and friends.
Fulton J. Sheen’s family overjoyed about his beatification
Long before digital media, Venerable Sheen transformed religious communications. Starting in the 1930s, he rose to fame, touching the lives of millions with the Catholic Hour radio show and, even more lives in the 1950s, with his popular TV program, Life is Worth Living. He also authored 73 books and countless pamphlets and essays explaining how the tenets of the Catholic faith enrich lives.
“The archbishop’s magnetic personality and presentations quickly drew an estimated 30 million viewers each week [to the TV show]. Jews, Protestants, Catholics and skeptics tuned in, quickly making him a household name,” Bunson said. The archbishop often beat his TV competitors on Sunday nights using little more than his engaging presentation, direct and into the camera, a corny joke, and writings on a chalkboard, he said. “It shows us [Catholic evangelizers] how to speak truth with clarity and charity. He possessed a variability to explain profound truths in language ordinary people could understand,” Bunson said.
Even today, Venerable Sheen reminds Catholics that no matter their walk of life, they are all called to be evangelists of the Gospel and to become saints, said Bunson, also a prominent Catholic historian, author, and theologian. In the modern age, Venerable Sheen has cultivated a huge following among Gen Z, he said.
Venerable Sheen’s “dramatic gestures or actual illustrations, and stories, were not entertainment for their own sake.” Instead, they were tools placed in the service of God’s truth, not to make himself famous. In accepting his Emmy award in 1952, he quipped, “I feel it is time I pay tribute to my four writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,” Bunson said.
“The archbishop understood that people are not searching for theories. They’re searching for meaning, forgiveness, truth, love, mercy, and hope. Christianity answers that search to a person,” said Bunson, adding Venerable Sheen spoke about the beauty of life and faith as well as the demands of the Gospel. “He challenged people to examine their consciousness and warned against materialism, pride, sexual immorality, indifference, resentment, and worship of social. The archbishop reminded his listeners that a person can gain the whole world and still lose their soul,” he said.
Venerable Sheen also staunchly promoted the pro-life cause long before legalized abortion and was a prophet of the Eucharistic revival. He also taught at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., was national director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and served as bishop of Rochester, N.Y. He died in 1979 at 84.
The New Jersey Area Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Church that seeks to glorify God through work with the sick and the poor and witness of the Catholic faith, sponsored the presentation. Christine Myers of the Order of Malta served as master of ceremonies. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and members of Venerable Sheen’s family attended.
After Bunson’s talk, the bishop told the crowd, “Thank God for Archbishop Sheen’s ministry, and we look forward to his beatification next Thursday.”
In his presentation, Bunson said, “The archbishop reminds us that the salvation of souls must remain our priority. Evangelization, however, can also take place through a microphone, television camera, classroom, a newspaper, conversation, in an ordinary home, or anyone who lives,” Bunson said.
BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.")
Venerable Fulton Sheen’s powerful messages still resonate with audiences #Catholic – 
If he were alive today, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen might be lighting up social media — like TikTok, Facebook, and X — with his simple, engaging lessons and stories about how to live a fulfilling life in Christ.
Matthew E. Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTNNews, said that Venerable Sheen, one of the 20th Century’s most influential Catholic evangelists, would already have attracted “millions of followers” on digital platforms by now. On the night of Sept. 16, Bunson made that assertion during his talk, “The Life and Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” at St. Thomas More Church in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
The well-attended presentation in Morris County occurred less than a week before Venerable Sheen is beatified this Thursday, Sept. 24, at a Mass at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. At that time, he will be designated as “blessed.” During his life, the nationally known TV and radio evangelist, author, and speaker traveled from his New York City residence to the Paterson Diocese, N.J., many times to give presentations and visit family and friends.
Fulton J. Sheen’s family overjoyed about his beatification
Long before digital media, Venerable Sheen transformed religious communications. Starting in the 1930s, he rose to fame, touching the lives of millions with the Catholic Hour radio show and, even more lives in the 1950s, with his popular TV program, Life is Worth Living. He also authored 73 books and countless pamphlets and essays explaining how the tenets of the Catholic faith enrich lives.
“The archbishop’s magnetic personality and presentations quickly drew an estimated 30 million viewers each week [to the TV show]. Jews, Protestants, Catholics and skeptics tuned in, quickly making him a household name,” Bunson said. The archbishop often beat his TV competitors on Sunday nights using little more than his engaging presentation, direct and into the camera, a corny joke, and writings on a chalkboard, he said. “It shows us [Catholic evangelizers] how to speak truth with clarity and charity. He possessed a variability to explain profound truths in language ordinary people could understand,” Bunson said.
Even today, Venerable Sheen reminds Catholics that no matter their walk of life, they are all called to be evangelists of the Gospel and to become saints, said Bunson, also a prominent Catholic historian, author, and theologian. In the modern age, Venerable Sheen has cultivated a huge following among Gen Z, he said.
Venerable Sheen’s “dramatic gestures or actual illustrations, and stories, were not entertainment for their own sake.” Instead, they were tools placed in the service of God’s truth, not to make himself famous. In accepting his Emmy award in 1952, he quipped, “I feel it is time I pay tribute to my four writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,” Bunson said.
“The archbishop understood that people are not searching for theories. They’re searching for meaning, forgiveness, truth, love, mercy, and hope. Christianity answers that search to a person,” said Bunson, adding Venerable Sheen spoke about the beauty of life and faith as well as the demands of the Gospel. “He challenged people to examine their consciousness and warned against materialism, pride, sexual immorality, indifference, resentment, and worship of social. The archbishop reminded his listeners that a person can gain the whole world and still lose their soul,” he said.
Venerable Sheen also staunchly promoted the pro-life cause long before legalized abortion and was a prophet of the Eucharistic revival. He also taught at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., was national director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and served as bishop of Rochester, N.Y. He died in 1979 at 84.
The New Jersey Area Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Church that seeks to glorify God through work with the sick and the poor and witness of the Catholic faith, sponsored the presentation. Christine Myers of the Order of Malta served as master of ceremonies. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and members of Venerable Sheen’s family attended.
After Bunson’s talk, the bishop told the crowd, “Thank God for Archbishop Sheen’s ministry, and we look forward to his beatification next Thursday.”
In his presentation, Bunson said, “The archbishop reminds us that the salvation of souls must remain our priority. Evangelization, however, can also take place through a microphone, television camera, classroom, a newspaper, conversation, in an ordinary home, or anyone who lives,” Bunson said.
BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
– If he were alive today, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen might be lighting up social media — like TikTok, Facebook, and X — with his simple, engaging lessons and stories about how to live a fulfilling life in Christ. Matthew E. Bunson, vice president and editorial director of EWTNNews, said that Venerable Sheen, one of the 20th Century’s most influential Catholic evangelists, would already have attracted “millions of followers” on digital platforms by now. On the night of Sept. 16, Bunson made that assertion during his talk, “The Life and Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” at St. Thomas More Church
Although church attendance is low and the society is quite s quite secularized, the president of Uruguay’s bishops’ conference believes Pope Leo’s visit will give a boost to the country’s spiritual renewal.
Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, scientists have discovered a new class of objects behaving unlike any they have seen before.
Read More
What the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees means for us #Catholic – 
“For this 112th World Day (of Migrants and Refugees), the theme ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed them, and to the Lord’s promise that ‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’ (Mk. 9:37).” (From the first paragraph of Pope Leo XIV’s message. See: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees)
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
I had thought that I may not be writing a column this week, because I was blessed to travel this past weekend on a brief, four-day pilgrimage to Mexico — you can see pictures, reflections, and more information here. This pilgrimage, however, gave me the opportunity to reflect on how many of our human vulnerabilities intersect with some of our present-day social difficulties and, regrettably, sometimes strife.
In my reflection these days, I noted that moving through a place that we do not know well always makes us feel a little insecure to some degree. When we appreciate that, in one way or another, we are all vulnerable in our travels, we can expand our horizons toward welcome.
In welcoming the vulnerable or the displaced, we are in the company of the Lord. The Lord’s presence is reassuring and empowering of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to remove obstacles from one another’s path so we can travel safely. These gifts we use along the way are poured forth by the Holy Spirit as the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
Even the briefest of pilgrimages, or travel, calls to mind the image of life as a journey. While some travel is for pleasure and adventure, other kinds of travel can be anxiety-inducing, and for some, wearying.
While I do not travel often, I do so enough to witness the experience of many “frequent flyers” who are constantly in transit for work or other responsibilities that keep them on the move. There is nothing pleasurable about that kind of ceaseless trek. When a long journey is made alone, it can also enhance the feeling of weariness and sometimes lead to a sense of insecurity.
Whether the road is short or long, by God’s plan, we are on a journey through this life to the next. While in transit, so to speak, the Lord gives us the mission of caring for one another. The companions we meet on life’s journey, as on any journey, determine whether our travel is a joyful adventure or tedious crawl. Even on the most arduous journey, we can learn and pass the time more profitably when we share conversation that begins with openness to others.
This short pilgrimage of mine, which included time in Mexico City at the foot of the Tepeyac Hill, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to the simple peasant and now the first canonized saint of the Americas, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, is a blessing. You can feel the Blessed Mother’s continuing embrace of all of her children at this Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. So many feel drawn to this shrine of Our Lady because of her reassuring maternal love that leads us to her Son. The Blessed Mother encourages us to be worthy disciples of her Son. Our goal to be faithful disciples is, in itself, a journey and one never made alone.
In first reaching out to Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac, the Virgin Mary provided yet another sign of God’s special love for the poor and the marginalized. That embrace continues. On this particular pilgrimage, we also walked in the footsteps of the Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, who is in the process of beatification and perhaps, one day, canonization. Father Schwartz founded the Sisters of Mary and the World Villages for Children Girlstown and Boystown and other orphanages for children who have no place to call “home.” Girlstowns and Boystowns provide places of safety and joy for so many boys and girls who have no safety net in life.
A few days before I left for the pilgrimage, one of our priests sent me some information on the upcoming (Sunday, Sept. 27) 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees. I guess I had “missed” a notification, especially from the USCCB. The priest also shared information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) about the 45th annual “National Migration Week,” sponsored by the Church in the United States, which will already have started but hopefully not finished by the time you are reading this.
For more information, see: National Migration Week to Focus on the Presence of Christ within Each Migrant Child. Very often, we can get lost in statistics when we discuss complex issues like immigration. The message of the Virgin Mary at Tepeyac and the example of Father Schwartz highlight our need to approach one another as companions on this life’s journey. In this way, we are more likely to open our hearts to understanding by seeking solutions that are durable, humane, and welcoming. When we welcome the poor and vulnerable with a generous response, we are embracing the Lord himself.
Pilgrims know that their destinations in this world are never final. We are “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Our human condition means that each one of us is vulnerable along the way. The example of the Blessed Mother, who said to Saint Juan Diego, “Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?” is a challenge to us all to have the courage to magnify the power of God’s presence through our love for one another.
The concrete acts of mercy by the Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz demonstrate what a vision based on the absolute dignity of the human person, especially children, can produce: compassion and love multiplied by the power of God’s grace.
What can we do to help obtain dignity and safety for those involved in the tumultuous process of migration? First, we can pray for migrants and refugees themselves and pray for just laws and policies that reflect human dignity and love founded on justice. We can also welcome the stranger where and when we can. Recalling that we are all passing through this world, we can commit to making our shared journey more peaceful through care, compassion, and generous hospitality born of the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts.
Reminding us that in welcoming the stranger, we welcome Christ, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV exhorts us to open our hearts to vulnerable migrants and refugees so we are witnesses to the divine truth of our faith that “love can overcome indifference.” In recognizing this special week dedicated to Migrants and Refugees, we recommit ourselves to our commitment to make room on our own journeys for the displaced and vulnerable.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
– “For this 112th World Day (of Migrants and Refugees), the theme ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed them, and to the Lord’s promise that ‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’ (Mk. 9:37).” (From the first paragraph of Pope Leo XIV’s message. See: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees) BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY I had thought that I may not be writing a column this week, because I
Hikers, horseback riders, and leaf peepers will want to move Indiana’s Brown County State Park to the top of their must-visit list.
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![Pope Leo XIV, in France, will bring Catholic social teaching to a secular Europe – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV flies to France on Friday, where across four days in three cities he will proclaim Catholic teaching to the heart of secular Europe on matters that include end-of-life questions, immigration, and artificial intelligence.The visit “will truly be a moment in which Leo’s project of making the Church’s social doctrine better known can take shape,” said Father Patrick Valdrini, a former rector of the Institut Catholique de Paris.France is statistically more secular than it was in 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to the country. The latest data on religious identity in France, in 2019-2020, found that 51% of adults in France say they have no religious affiliation, an 8% increase from a decade before. While 29% of the population identifies as Catholic, the survey found only 8% say they go to Church regularly, according to the Institut National D’Etudes Démographiques.Yet according to Cyprien Viet, a journalist with the French agency I.Media, the country has become more open to Catholicism in recent years. The reasons for this shift include sympathy for Christianity following attacks on churches and the 2016 killing by Islamist terrorists of Father Jacques Hamel, enhanced appreciation for France’s Christian heritage after the 2019 burning of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and gratitude for the Church’s charitable service during the COVID-19 pandemic.More recently, “Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence [Magnifica Humanitas] has had a fairly strong impact in France, and people recognize that there is a need to explore these issues more deeply. The pope is helping greatly in providing points of reference,” Viet said.The challenge of laïcitéDuring his Sept. 25–28 visits to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, Leo’s approach to sharing the Catholic Church’s teaching on political and social issues will draw wide attention, not least because of France’s tradition of “laïcité,” a strict legal separation of Church and state.This policy has always involved a certain distrust, even hostility, toward the idea that faith can contribute something good to society, Valdrini said.“The concept of ‘laïcité’ emerged especially during the French Revolution, rooted in the view that religion hinders freedom and reason, that it is something burdensome rather than liberating,” he said.Among the most sensitive issues that the pope is expected to address are end-of-life questions. France legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia this summer, becoming the fifth European country to do so after Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain. In addition, Switzerland and Austria permit assisted suicide. Euthanasia is the intentional ending of a person’s life to relieve suffering. It differs from assisted dying, in which the patient takes life-ending drugs himself, under a physician’s guidance. Both practices are prohibited by Catholic teaching.
Francis X. Rocca, Vatican editor of EWTN News, interviews Charles Personnaz, French ambassador to the Holy See, at his offices in Rome on Sept. 10, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Charles Personnaz, France’s ambassador to the Holy See, says he expects the pope to speak out on the issue but to leave the political debate to the French bishops, who were already outspoken in their vigorous condemnation of the euthanasia bill before it passed in July.“I think the pope will certainly repeat what is the Catholic doctrine: the preservation of life from the beginning to … the natural end,” the ambassador said. “But he will also leave to … the French Catholic Church the debate with the political parties in France and the institutions. That is the subsidiarity that is at the heart of Catholic doctrine as well.”A message about human dignityOn a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Leo is expected to deliver a message about the inherent dignity of every human person, even when suffering from illness or disability.Meeting and praying with the sick and vulnerable at one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world, the Holy Father will give a concrete sign of faith in the value of every human life.At the shrine he will also meet privately with victims of abuse in the Catholic Church in France and with the country’s bishops.
The Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes, France. | Credit: Christian Pablo Inglize/Shutterstock
Leo is expected to address the global challenges posed by artificial intelligence when he speaks at the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, in Paris on Sept. 25. On his last day, he will reflect on interreligious dialogue and the future of Europe at meetings in Metz.The pope’s visit to a migrant integration center run by the Archdiocese of Paris will touch on one of the most volatile political issues in Europe and beyond, and one closely tied to next year’s presidential election in France, in which the anti-immigration politician Marine Le Pen is the current frontrunner.Personnaz said he expects the pope’s comments on immigration to be well received, calling the pontiff’s previous statements on the topic “very balanced” with a focus on the responsibility of nations to help people stay in their homeland.State visit or apostolic journey?Pope Francis visited France three times during his pontificate, but Leo will be making the first state visit by a pope to France since Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey in 2008.The French Catholic newspaper La Croix has reported that the Holy See has refused some requests by the government, including a proposal that President Emmanuel Macron accompany the pontiff into Notre-Dame Cathedral for a prayer service on Sept. 25. The Holy See Press Office and the Élysée Palace, the official residence and office of the French president, did not respond to requests for comment on the report.
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. | Credit: Mistervlad/Shutterstock
According to Valdrini, Leo is following in the tradition of St. Paul VI, who sought to emphasize the pastoral character of his travel — the visit to a local Church by the successor of Peter — rather than his role as a head of state.“It will still be a state visit, and there will be official ceremonies, but it is clear that the pope wanted to emphasize, as previous popes did, this [apostolic] dimension of the journey,” Valdrini said.Catholicism growsDespite a lack of religious practice in France, enthusiasm for Pope Leo’s visit is high, as demonstrated by the response to his events with the public in France’s capital.Adolescents and young adults have snapped up tickets for a prayer vigil in the 81,000-seat Stade de France and an open-air Mass in Place de la Concorde. Paris’ largest public square may draw some of the biggest crowds of his pontificate thus far, with 600,000 people expected to fill the square and a nearly two-mile stretch of avenue connecting to the Arc de Triomphe. This enthusiasm is also reflected in an atypical outpouring of donations to the dioceses to cover organizational costs.Leo will address France’s Catholics at a critical juncture in their history, as they welcome rising numbers of converts. He is likely to encourage the nation traditionally known as “the eldest daughter of the Church” to rediscover her Catholic roots.This Easter, France recorded more than 20,000 adult and adolescent baptisms, a 20% increase from the already record-high number in 2025, which saw a 45% increase from 2024 figures.The phenomenon has prompted the bishops of Île de France, the ecclesiastical region that includes the Archdiocese of Paris, to convene a special council on how to respond to the huge influx of Catholic converts.“Today people have not inherited their faith … and so they are kind of ignorant about the Catholic heritage,” Personnaz said. “But when they discover it, they have no prejudices about it. And in a world where the youth are searching for a sense to [their] life, the Catholic proposal remains very interesting.”Francis X. Rocca and Victoria Cardiel contributed to this report.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pope-leo-xiv-in-france-will-bring-catholic-social-teaching-to-a-secular-europe-catholic-pope-leo-xiv-flies-to-france-on-friday-where-across-four-days-in-three-cities-he-will-proclaim-catholic.webp "Pope Leo XIV, in France, will bring Catholic social teaching to a secular Europe – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV flies to France on Friday, where across four days in three cities he will proclaim Catholic teaching to the heart of secular Europe on matters that include end-of-life questions, immigration, and artificial intelligence.The visit “will truly be a moment in which Leo’s project of making the Church’s social doctrine better known can take shape,” said Father Patrick Valdrini, a former rector of the Institut Catholique de Paris.France is statistically more secular than it was in 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to the country. The latest data on religious identity in France, in 2019-2020, found that 51% of adults in France say they have no religious affiliation, an 8% increase from a decade before. While 29% of the population identifies as Catholic, the survey found only 8% say they go to Church regularly, according to the Institut National D’Etudes Démographiques.Yet according to Cyprien Viet, a journalist with the French agency I.Media, the country has become more open to Catholicism in recent years. The reasons for this shift include sympathy for Christianity following attacks on churches and the 2016 killing by Islamist terrorists of Father Jacques Hamel, enhanced appreciation for France’s Christian heritage after the 2019 burning of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and gratitude for the Church’s charitable service during the COVID-19 pandemic.More recently, “Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence [Magnifica Humanitas] has had a fairly strong impact in France, and people recognize that there is a need to explore these issues more deeply. The pope is helping greatly in providing points of reference,” Viet said.The challenge of laïcitéDuring his Sept. 25–28 visits to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, Leo’s approach to sharing the Catholic Church’s teaching on political and social issues will draw wide attention, not least because of France’s tradition of “laïcité,” a strict legal separation of Church and state.This policy has always involved a certain distrust, even hostility, toward the idea that faith can contribute something good to society, Valdrini said.“The concept of ‘laïcité’ emerged especially during the French Revolution, rooted in the view that religion hinders freedom and reason, that it is something burdensome rather than liberating,” he said.Among the most sensitive issues that the pope is expected to address are end-of-life questions. France legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia this summer, becoming the fifth European country to do so after Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain. In addition, Switzerland and Austria permit assisted suicide. Euthanasia is the intentional ending of a person’s life to relieve suffering. It differs from assisted dying, in which the patient takes life-ending drugs himself, under a physician’s guidance. Both practices are prohibited by Catholic teaching.
Francis X. Rocca, Vatican editor of EWTN News, interviews Charles Personnaz, French ambassador to the Holy See, at his offices in Rome on Sept. 10, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Charles Personnaz, France’s ambassador to the Holy See, says he expects the pope to speak out on the issue but to leave the political debate to the French bishops, who were already outspoken in their vigorous condemnation of the euthanasia bill before it passed in July.“I think the pope will certainly repeat what is the Catholic doctrine: the preservation of life from the beginning to … the natural end,” the ambassador said. “But he will also leave to … the French Catholic Church the debate with the political parties in France and the institutions. That is the subsidiarity that is at the heart of Catholic doctrine as well.”A message about human dignityOn a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Leo is expected to deliver a message about the inherent dignity of every human person, even when suffering from illness or disability.Meeting and praying with the sick and vulnerable at one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world, the Holy Father will give a concrete sign of faith in the value of every human life.At the shrine he will also meet privately with victims of abuse in the Catholic Church in France and with the country’s bishops.
The Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes, France. | Credit: Christian Pablo Inglize/Shutterstock
Leo is expected to address the global challenges posed by artificial intelligence when he speaks at the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, in Paris on Sept. 25. On his last day, he will reflect on interreligious dialogue and the future of Europe at meetings in Metz.The pope’s visit to a migrant integration center run by the Archdiocese of Paris will touch on one of the most volatile political issues in Europe and beyond, and one closely tied to next year’s presidential election in France, in which the anti-immigration politician Marine Le Pen is the current frontrunner.Personnaz said he expects the pope’s comments on immigration to be well received, calling the pontiff’s previous statements on the topic “very balanced” with a focus on the responsibility of nations to help people stay in their homeland.State visit or apostolic journey?Pope Francis visited France three times during his pontificate, but Leo will be making the first state visit by a pope to France since Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey in 2008.The French Catholic newspaper La Croix has reported that the Holy See has refused some requests by the government, including a proposal that President Emmanuel Macron accompany the pontiff into Notre-Dame Cathedral for a prayer service on Sept. 25. The Holy See Press Office and the Élysée Palace, the official residence and office of the French president, did not respond to requests for comment on the report.
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. | Credit: Mistervlad/Shutterstock
According to Valdrini, Leo is following in the tradition of St. Paul VI, who sought to emphasize the pastoral character of his travel — the visit to a local Church by the successor of Peter — rather than his role as a head of state.“It will still be a state visit, and there will be official ceremonies, but it is clear that the pope wanted to emphasize, as previous popes did, this [apostolic] dimension of the journey,” Valdrini said.Catholicism growsDespite a lack of religious practice in France, enthusiasm for Pope Leo’s visit is high, as demonstrated by the response to his events with the public in France’s capital.Adolescents and young adults have snapped up tickets for a prayer vigil in the 81,000-seat Stade de France and an open-air Mass in Place de la Concorde. Paris’ largest public square may draw some of the biggest crowds of his pontificate thus far, with 600,000 people expected to fill the square and a nearly two-mile stretch of avenue connecting to the Arc de Triomphe. This enthusiasm is also reflected in an atypical outpouring of donations to the dioceses to cover organizational costs.Leo will address France’s Catholics at a critical juncture in their history, as they welcome rising numbers of converts. He is likely to encourage the nation traditionally known as “the eldest daughter of the Church” to rediscover her Catholic roots.This Easter, France recorded more than 20,000 adult and adolescent baptisms, a 20% increase from the already record-high number in 2025, which saw a 45% increase from 2024 figures.The phenomenon has prompted the bishops of Île de France, the ecclesiastical region that includes the Archdiocese of Paris, to convene a special council on how to respond to the huge influx of Catholic converts.“Today people have not inherited their faith … and so they are kind of ignorant about the Catholic heritage,” Personnaz said. “But when they discover it, they have no prejudices about it. And in a world where the youth are searching for a sense to [their] life, the Catholic proposal remains very interesting.”Francis X. Rocca and Victoria Cardiel contributed to this report.")
During his Sept. 25–28 visit to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, Leo’s approach to sharing the Catholic Church’s teaching on political and social issues will be highly watched.
The exhibition, “The Gospel of Mark: Seven Centuries. Three Fragments. One European Story,” has made it possible to view the original sixth-century manuscripts once venerated as relics.
Riccardo Maffioli from Albizzate, Varese, Italy The Soap Bubble Nebula (PN G75.5+1.7 or PN Ju 1), a little-studied planetary nebula in Cygnus near the better-known Crescent Nebula, is the shell cast off by a dying Sun-like star. Its near-perfect sphere, roughly 4′ across was only discovered in 2008; its faintness and position against other emissionContinue reading “A bubble adrift”
The post A bubble adrift appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the latest escalation of his administration’s ongoing feud with the mainstream media, President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the White House had revoked the press credentials of longtime CNN correspondent Gríma Wormtongue.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that he was teaming up with Starbucks to create a bold new Beef Tallow Spice Frappuccino as a healthier fall option for consumers.
Read MoreA reading from the Book Proverbs
21:1-6, 10-13
Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the LORD;
wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,
but it is the LORD who proves hearts.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart–
the tillage of the wicked is sin.
The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,
but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue
is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
The soul of the wicked man desires evil;
his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
The just man appraises the house of the wicked:
there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself also call and not be heard.
From the Gospel according to Luke
8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Jesus continued speaking with the people, and He loved the people and loved the crowd, so much so that He said, “These who follow me, that vast crowd, are my mother and my brothers; they are these”. And He explained: [They are] those who listen to the Word of God and put it into practice. These are the two conditions for following Jesus: listening to the Word of God and putting it into practice. This is Christian life, nothing more. Simple, simple. (…) Every time we do this – we open the Gospel and read a passage, and ask ourselves: “Is God speaking to me with this, is He saying something to me? And if He is saying something, what is He saying?” – this is listening to the Word of God, listening to it with our ears and listening to it with our hearts. Opening our hearts to the Word of God. Jesus’ enemies listened to His words, but they stayed close to Him to try and find a mistake, to trip Him up, and to undermine His authority. Yet they never asked themselves: “What is God saying to me in this Word?” And God does not speak merely to everyone: yes, He speaks to everyone, but He speaks to each one of us. The Gospel was written for each and every one of us. (…) The Lord sows His Word, always; He merely asks for an open heart to hear it and a willingness to put it into practice. Let us therefore make today’s prayer that of the Psalm: “Lead me in the path of thy commandments”, that is, the path of Your Word, so that, with your guidance, I may learn to put it into practice. (Pope Francis, Homily of 23 September 2014)
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Ruins of the St. Olof Church at Sigtuna.
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The discussion focuses on the question “What are we building, for whom, and who will inherit it?”
The longtime Vatican journalist and writer received the award in Ostrowiec, Poland, on Sept. 21.
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![Catholic Church in U.S. to focus National Migration Week on migrant children – #Catholic – The situations faced by migrant and refugee children will be the focus of the U.S. Catholic Churchʼs 2026 National Migration Week, addressing the same concerns expressed by Pope Leo XIV in his message for this yearʼs World Day of Migrants and Refugees.National Migration Week will begin on Monday, Sept. 21, and conclude on Sunday, Sept. 27, the day the Catholic Church observes the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.On its website, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced that in solidarity with the pontiff, it will adopt the theme “Even One of These Little Ones,” the same theme chosen by Leo XIV for the global observance.In his message, Leo XIV explains that this theme “draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that “whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.’”The chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, Bishop Brendan Cahill, noted that the Catholic Church, “in this country and beyond has a long, inspiring history of caring for migrant and refugee children.”In the United States, this history spans “from the days of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and her sisters sheltering many orphaned immigrant children when few others looked their way to today’s diocesan charities providing them and their families with vital support,” he noted.The Italian saint and her sisters arrived in New York in 1889, where they encountered a very harsh pastoral reality among European immigrants. Yet, despite the difficulties, the sisters managed to open an orphanage, a home for themselves, and a school for the children.Cahill expressed his gratitude to law enforcement officers, social workers, pastoral staff, and caregivers who look after the safety and well-being of migrant and refugee minors.However, he added, “[a]s we see protections for this population being undermined in various ways, including prolonged stays in detention and decreased access to legal representation, we urge governments and communities to ensure a high level of care rooted in their God-given human dignity.”“This requires promoting family unity and reunification whenever possible,” he said.Therefore, the USCCB invited the nation’s Catholics amid “heightened social tensions regarding immigration” to reflect “on how our faith is calling us to respond to this most vulnerable group.”Toward this end, the bishops’ conference is encouraging “dioceses, parishes, schools, and organizations nationwide to mark this observance with prayer, educational programs, pastoral outreach and support for migration-related ministries.”For its part, the USCCB’s Secretariat of Migration will host a webinar on Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. ET featuring “several expert panelists who will highlight some of the key implications of this yearʼs theme."“These experts will shed light on both the international and domestic dynamics facing children in the context of migration,” the bishops’ conference explained.Those interested in participating in the webinar may register at this link.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/catholic-church-in-u-s-to-focus-national-migration-week-on-migrant-children-catholic-the-situations-faced-by-migrant-and-refugee-children-will-be-the-focus-of-the-u-s-catholic-churchcabcs-202-scaled.jpg "Catholic Church in U.S. to focus National Migration Week on migrant children – #Catholic – The situations faced by migrant and refugee children will be the focus of the U.S. Catholic Churchʼs 2026 National Migration Week, addressing the same concerns expressed by Pope Leo XIV in his message for this yearʼs World Day of Migrants and Refugees.National Migration Week will begin on Monday, Sept. 21, and conclude on Sunday, Sept. 27, the day the Catholic Church observes the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.On its website, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced that in solidarity with the pontiff, it will adopt the theme “Even One of These Little Ones,” the same theme chosen by Leo XIV for the global observance.In his message, Leo XIV explains that this theme “draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that “whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.’”The chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, Bishop Brendan Cahill, noted that the Catholic Church, “in this country and beyond has a long, inspiring history of caring for migrant and refugee children.”In the United States, this history spans “from the days of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and her sisters sheltering many orphaned immigrant children when few others looked their way to today’s diocesan charities providing them and their families with vital support,” he noted.The Italian saint and her sisters arrived in New York in 1889, where they encountered a very harsh pastoral reality among European immigrants. Yet, despite the difficulties, the sisters managed to open an orphanage, a home for themselves, and a school for the children.Cahill expressed his gratitude to law enforcement officers, social workers, pastoral staff, and caregivers who look after the safety and well-being of migrant and refugee minors.However, he added, “[a]s we see protections for this population being undermined in various ways, including prolonged stays in detention and decreased access to legal representation, we urge governments and communities to ensure a high level of care rooted in their God-given human dignity.”“This requires promoting family unity and reunification whenever possible,” he said.Therefore, the USCCB invited the nation’s Catholics amid “heightened social tensions regarding immigration” to reflect “on how our faith is calling us to respond to this most vulnerable group.”Toward this end, the bishops’ conference is encouraging “dioceses, parishes, schools, and organizations nationwide to mark this observance with prayer, educational programs, pastoral outreach and support for migration-related ministries.”For its part, the USCCB’s Secretariat of Migration will host a webinar on Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. ET featuring “several expert panelists who will highlight some of the key implications of this yearʼs theme.\"“These experts will shed light on both the international and domestic dynamics facing children in the context of migration,” the bishops’ conference explained.Those interested in participating in the webinar may register at this link.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
Following Pope Leo’s lead and building on the legacy of St. Frances Cabrini, who opened orphanages among the migrant population, U.S. bishops are drawing attention to the needs of migrant children.
![Catholics worldwide invited to join Global Rosary for Peace – #Catholic – Catholics around the world are invited to join in prayer for the Global Rosary for Peace taking place on Oct. 22, the feast of St. John Paul II.The event is an international prayer initiative that aims to bring together families, parishes, schools, religious communities, and individuals from around the world in response to Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to pray the rosary for peace.The Global Rosary for Peace is organized by Holy Cross Family Ministries and is part of its efforts to strengthen family prayer and encourage the faithful to pray the rosary. The initiative received the pope’s blessing last year and over 67,000 people prayed the rosary live during the first global event.Father Fred Jenga, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM), told EWTN News that the first Global Rosary for Peace was created due to several global crises taking place and the need for prayer.“There is always some kind of global crisis that is going on that really calls us to pray more,” he said. “Last year it was all the conflicts that were everywhere. Some of them have sort of died down a little bit but we still have more going on as well in this very year that we are in. So we are just picking up from where we left off. So that we invite people again to pray more.”Currently, over 95,000 people have signed up to take part in this year’s live, global rosary.HCFM was founded by Venerable Patrick Peyton, an Irish-born Catholic priest who was known as the “rosary priest” and for his famous phrase “a family that prays together stays together.”With this at the core of its ministry, HCFM desires to “bring God back into the life of families because we know when God is at the center of the families, especially through prayer, regular prayer, God changes the chemistry in those families because God is love, God is kindness,” Jenga explained.“God created our families. And they will be restless and weak and all over the place until they allow [God] to be the center,” he said.Jenga also spoke about the importance of praying the rosary specifically.“When we pray the rosary on a family level, the heart of the rosary is the mysteries of the rosary, and those mysteries speak to every human season that you can think about,” he shared. “We go through joy, we go through sorrow, we go through mission, we go through celebration or glory. So there you have a set of mysteries that you can pray with through any season that youʼre talking about.”The priest also pointed out that when we look at the saints, nearly all of them share two characteristics: a love for the Eucharist and a love for the rosary.“So, in their path to sanctity, these are the two rails that they ran on. And if we also desire the same kind of sanctity and strength in our families, right there is really a formula for us that we can be able to employ to help ourselves as a family and also to help ourselves as individuals,” Jenga said.He added: “We’re at a time of need in our world right now. There are too many conflicts that are going on and we need a favor for global peace, and the rosary is one of those prayers that weʼre turning to because even throughout history, every time there was a global crisis, the Church, even our Blessed Mother, if she appeared, she asked us to pray the rosary.”For those who participate in the Global Rosary for Peace, Jenga said he hopes they are “able to renew their belief in the power of prayer.”“Secondly, this can be a jumping-off point for them to get started, in smaller ways, praying in their own families and for the needs in their families, but also keep praying for our world at this time.”To take part and register for the Global Rosary of Peace visit https://hcfm.org/pray-for-peace/.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/catholics-worldwide-invited-to-join-global-rosary-for-peace-catholic-catholics-around-the-world-are-invited-to-join-in-prayer-for-the-global-rosary-for-peace-taking-place-on-oct-22-the-feast-of.png "Catholics worldwide invited to join Global Rosary for Peace – #Catholic – Catholics around the world are invited to join in prayer for the Global Rosary for Peace taking place on Oct. 22, the feast of St. John Paul II.The event is an international prayer initiative that aims to bring together families, parishes, schools, religious communities, and individuals from around the world in response to Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to pray the rosary for peace.The Global Rosary for Peace is organized by Holy Cross Family Ministries and is part of its efforts to strengthen family prayer and encourage the faithful to pray the rosary. The initiative received the pope’s blessing last year and over 67,000 people prayed the rosary live during the first global event.Father Fred Jenga, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM), told EWTN News that the first Global Rosary for Peace was created due to several global crises taking place and the need for prayer.“There is always some kind of global crisis that is going on that really calls us to pray more,” he said. “Last year it was all the conflicts that were everywhere. Some of them have sort of died down a little bit but we still have more going on as well in this very year that we are in. So we are just picking up from where we left off. So that we invite people again to pray more.”Currently, over 95,000 people have signed up to take part in this year’s live, global rosary.HCFM was founded by Venerable Patrick Peyton, an Irish-born Catholic priest who was known as the “rosary priest” and for his famous phrase “a family that prays together stays together.”With this at the core of its ministry, HCFM desires to “bring God back into the life of families because we know when God is at the center of the families, especially through prayer, regular prayer, God changes the chemistry in those families because God is love, God is kindness,” Jenga explained.“God created our families. And they will be restless and weak and all over the place until they allow [God] to be the center,” he said.Jenga also spoke about the importance of praying the rosary specifically.“When we pray the rosary on a family level, the heart of the rosary is the mysteries of the rosary, and those mysteries speak to every human season that you can think about,” he shared. “We go through joy, we go through sorrow, we go through mission, we go through celebration or glory. So there you have a set of mysteries that you can pray with through any season that youʼre talking about.”The priest also pointed out that when we look at the saints, nearly all of them share two characteristics: a love for the Eucharist and a love for the rosary.“So, in their path to sanctity, these are the two rails that they ran on. And if we also desire the same kind of sanctity and strength in our families, right there is really a formula for us that we can be able to employ to help ourselves as a family and also to help ourselves as individuals,” Jenga said.He added: “We’re at a time of need in our world right now. There are too many conflicts that are going on and we need a favor for global peace, and the rosary is one of those prayers that weʼre turning to because even throughout history, every time there was a global crisis, the Church, even our Blessed Mother, if she appeared, she asked us to pray the rosary.”For those who participate in the Global Rosary for Peace, Jenga said he hopes they are “able to renew their belief in the power of prayer.”“Secondly, this can be a jumping-off point for them to get started, in smaller ways, praying in their own families and for the needs in their families, but also keep praying for our world at this time.”To take part and register for the Global Rosary of Peace visit https://hcfm.org/pray-for-peace/.")
![EWTN News explains: What does a diocese do when a priest is accused of misconduct? – #Catholic – News headlines in recent years have periodically reported on Catholic priests accused of various types of misconduct, including financial crimes and sexual abuse, among other allegations. Much of the public will only be aware of the beginning and the end of such controversies — when a clergyman is accused of a misdeed and when he is ultimately either found guilty of it or cleared of any wrongdoing. But U.S. dioceses have complex and at times lengthy ways of addressing such allegations — processes that ensure both a full treatment of the alleged misconduct and the rights of priests to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. ‘The smoke of truth’Monsignor William King, JCD, serves as an assistant professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America. His academic expertise includes the study of both canon and civil law as well as the study of “temporal goods” such as Church finance and corporate structure. King told EWTN News that bishops who receive allegations of wrongdoing against priests must first determine if there is sufficient credibility to the allegations, a principle he said in canon law is known as “fumus veritatis,” or “the smoke of truth.”“It’s not proof [of the allegations] in any way,” King said, “but if there’s sufficient suspicion that it might be truth, then the bishop would accept that allegation” and launch what is known as a “prior investigation” meant to gather facts. Amid the start of the process, King said, a bishop may or may not remove the priest from ministry if he “felt that it was necessary for any of several reasons.” After that he would appoint an investigator, who may or may not be a priest, to lead the inquiry. “That person is bound to secrecy so as to protect the reputation of the priest, and any of the accusers and witnesses,” King said. Such an investigator has “pretty broad powers” to ask questions of, and seek evidence from, those connected to the case. After that process, he or she would bring the results to the bishop.The prelate would likely then speak to his canon law experts. He may also talk with mental health experts and could potentially order the priest to submit to a psychological assessment. “That’s not uncommon, and depending on the nature of the allegations, it might be appropriate,” King said.After the fact-finding and consultation process, the bishop will decide whether or not to move forward with a criminal or penal process. In some cases, the ordinary may opt instead for a “penal remedy.““It could be a warning or rebuke, or a ‘penal precept’ — a formal document that prohibits the priest from undertaking certain actions or doing certain things,” King said. A precept, he said, can be used even in cases where no crime is committed, to ensure that the actions that led to the controversy are not repeated.If a penal process is instigated, the preferred method for most bishops is to convene a tribunal; in some cases, a prelate may opt for a less formal “administrative process.” Either option involves the calling of witnesses, testimony from both the accuser and the accused, and the collection of additional evidence. Tribunals are usually overseen by three judges, King said; they must be priests, and "they would typically be brought in from other dioceses.”Tribunals are meant to determine both whether a priest committed a crime, King said, as well as whether or not the crime itself is “fully imputable” to the priest. Sexual abuse allegations: Rome must be notifiedThe process is largely the same whether the allegations involve claims of administrative or professional misconduct or if they involve accusations of sexual abuse, King said. However, allegations against a priest of abuse of a minor are “reserved to the Holy See,” he said. In those cases, following the results of a preliminary investigation, a bishop is obligated to send a summary of the case, including the evidence, to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, specifically its special disciplinary section. “[The dicastery] will review that and instruct the bishop as to what type of process should be followed — administrative or judicial,” King said.“When the bishop sends the initial dossier or file over, most of the time he will make a recommendation” as to which process should be followed, King said. A bishop in certain cases may recommend “no process, or another remedy or way of addressing the situation.”The dicastery “will take that into consideration. But ultimately, they make the determination, and the bishop is bound to follow their direction,” King said.The Vatican can approve or reject a diocese’s decision if the matter is reserved to Rome, King said. In all other cases, it is resolved domestically either via administrative process or tribunal.A priest, King said, can appeal a diocese’s decision to the Roman Rota if he wishes.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ewtn-news-explains-what-does-a-diocese-do-when-a-priest-is-accused-of-misconduct-catholic-news-headlines-in-recent-years-have-periodically-reported-on-catholic-priests-accused-of-various-types.jpg "EWTN News explains: What does a diocese do when a priest is accused of misconduct? – #Catholic – News headlines in recent years have periodically reported on Catholic priests accused of various types of misconduct, including financial crimes and sexual abuse, among other allegations. Much of the public will only be aware of the beginning and the end of such controversies — when a clergyman is accused of a misdeed and when he is ultimately either found guilty of it or cleared of any wrongdoing. But U.S. dioceses have complex and at times lengthy ways of addressing such allegations — processes that ensure both a full treatment of the alleged misconduct and the rights of priests to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. ‘The smoke of truth’Monsignor William King, JCD, serves as an assistant professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America. His academic expertise includes the study of both canon and civil law as well as the study of “temporal goods” such as Church finance and corporate structure. King told EWTN News that bishops who receive allegations of wrongdoing against priests must first determine if there is sufficient credibility to the allegations, a principle he said in canon law is known as “fumus veritatis,” or “the smoke of truth.”“It’s not proof [of the allegations] in any way,” King said, “but if there’s sufficient suspicion that it might be truth, then the bishop would accept that allegation” and launch what is known as a “prior investigation” meant to gather facts. Amid the start of the process, King said, a bishop may or may not remove the priest from ministry if he “felt that it was necessary for any of several reasons.” After that he would appoint an investigator, who may or may not be a priest, to lead the inquiry. “That person is bound to secrecy so as to protect the reputation of the priest, and any of the accusers and witnesses,” King said. Such an investigator has “pretty broad powers” to ask questions of, and seek evidence from, those connected to the case. After that process, he or she would bring the results to the bishop.The prelate would likely then speak to his canon law experts. He may also talk with mental health experts and could potentially order the priest to submit to a psychological assessment. “That’s not uncommon, and depending on the nature of the allegations, it might be appropriate,” King said.After the fact-finding and consultation process, the bishop will decide whether or not to move forward with a criminal or penal process. In some cases, the ordinary may opt instead for a “penal remedy.““It could be a warning or rebuke, or a ‘penal precept’ — a formal document that prohibits the priest from undertaking certain actions or doing certain things,” King said. A precept, he said, can be used even in cases where no crime is committed, to ensure that the actions that led to the controversy are not repeated.If a penal process is instigated, the preferred method for most bishops is to convene a tribunal; in some cases, a prelate may opt for a less formal “administrative process.” Either option involves the calling of witnesses, testimony from both the accuser and the accused, and the collection of additional evidence. Tribunals are usually overseen by three judges, King said; they must be priests, and \"they would typically be brought in from other dioceses.”Tribunals are meant to determine both whether a priest committed a crime, King said, as well as whether or not the crime itself is “fully imputable” to the priest. Sexual abuse allegations: Rome must be notifiedThe process is largely the same whether the allegations involve claims of administrative or professional misconduct or if they involve accusations of sexual abuse, King said. However, allegations against a priest of abuse of a minor are “reserved to the Holy See,” he said. In those cases, following the results of a preliminary investigation, a bishop is obligated to send a summary of the case, including the evidence, to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, specifically its special disciplinary section. “[The dicastery] will review that and instruct the bishop as to what type of process should be followed — administrative or judicial,” King said.“When the bishop sends the initial dossier or file over, most of the time he will make a recommendation” as to which process should be followed, King said. A bishop in certain cases may recommend “no process, or another remedy or way of addressing the situation.”The dicastery “will take that into consideration. But ultimately, they make the determination, and the bishop is bound to follow their direction,” King said.The Vatican can approve or reject a diocese’s decision if the matter is reserved to Rome, King said. In all other cases, it is resolved domestically either via administrative process or tribunal.A priest, King said, can appeal a diocese’s decision to the Roman Rota if he wishes.")
A diocesan bishop will usually undertake a lengthy investigation and administrative process when responding to misconduct or abuse allegations.
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. September 20: Juno’s movement Rising around 7:30 P.M. local daylight time, Saturn reaches an altitude above 40° in the southeast by local midnight. Visible to the naked eye, it is the brightest point of light in this region of the sky, sittingContinue reading “The Sky Today on Monday, September 21: Saturn passes a field star”
The post The Sky Today on Monday, September 21: Saturn passes a field star appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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The 27-year-old model Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and her entrepreneur husband Rande Gerber, has died.
The post BREAKING TRAGEDY: 27-Yr-Old Son Of Supermodel Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber Has Died appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump on Sunday posted a video of himself practicing his golf swing with golf star Bryson DeChambeau.
The post President Trump Practices His Swing with Golf Star Bryson DeChambeau (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The Gateway Pundit reported on Motaz Azaiza, a reporter from Gaza who documented life in Gaza following the Palestinian raid on southern Egypt on October 7th and the murder of 1,200 Jews, including young adults at a concert targeted by the barbarians.
The post Look Who Else is Cozying Up to Gaza Reporter Who Hid Atrocities to Protect Terrorists appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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As an alternative to bustling Paris, visit these picturesque towns and villages, where the crowds are fewer and the pace is slower.
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A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians
4:1-7, 11-13
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
"I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings" (Hos 6: 6). It is a key word, one of those that bring us into the heart of Sacred Scripture. The context in which Jesus makes it his own is the calling of Matthew, a "publican" by profession, in other words a tax collector for the Roman imperial authority: for this reason the Jews considered him a public sinner. Having called Matthew precisely when he was sitting at his tax counter – this scene is vividly depicted in a very famous painting by Caravaggio -, Jesus took his disciples to Matthew’s home and sat at the table together with other publicans. To the scandalized Pharisees he answered: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick…. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mt 9: 12-13). Here, the Evangelist Matthew, ever attentive to the link between the Old and New Testaments, puts Hosea’s prophecy on Jesus’ lips: "Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’". (…) God’s words have come down to us, through the Gospels, as a synthesis of the entire Christian message: true religion consists in love of God and neighbour. This is what gives value to worship and to the practice of the precepts. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 8 giugno 2008)
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Cape Burhan with Shamanka Rock. The rock formation is made of white marble, dolomite, limestone, with inclusions of garnet, quartz and graphite. Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal, Russia.
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In his Sunday Angelus catechesis, the pontiff reflected on the parable of the vineyard workers, saying God’s generosity overturns human calculations of merit and reward.
While the Catholic Church is often viewed from a Latin rite prism, it also includes 23 Eastern Churches that are in full communion as part of the one Catholic fold.
A prayer pilgrimage from Byblos to Annaya aims to offer solidarity and hope to Christians in southern Lebanon.
Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. September 19: Mars meets Pollux Now is the best time to catch 145-mile-wide 3 Juno as it passes through a random collection of 9th- and 10th-magnitude stars. Now located in far southern Aquila near its border with Sagittarius, Juno glows at magnitude 9.6.Continue reading “The Sky Today on Sunday, September 20: Juno’s movement”
The post The Sky Today on Sunday, September 20: Juno’s movement appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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