Pope Francis names Curtis Martin of FOCUS and several other Americans to Dicastery for Evangelization

Pope Francis names Curtis Martin of FOCUS and several other Americans to Dicastery for Evangelization

American layman Curtis Martin, founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), was named by Pope Francis to serve along with 13 other consultors as advisors to the members of the Dicastry of Evangelization. Since FOCUS was founded in 1998, it has grown to have hundreds of full-time student missionaries who serve tens of…

Remember Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Joseph Zen this Christmas Octave

Remember Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Joseph Zen this Christmas Octave

As we celebrate the Christmas Octave with family and loved ones, in warm homes and beautiful churches, with glorious singing, prayers and with abundant food, gifts and laughter…. our suffering Catholic brethren endure the same Christmas Octave in a cold, sparse, merciless prison in Communist China. They suffer dearly the loss of being able to…

Blessed Sacrament found intact in tabernacle of church burned by armed men in Cameroon

Blessed Sacrament found intact in tabernacle of church burned by armed men in Cameroon

Last Sunday, the priest at a local parish where I attended Mass underscored the “unimaginable power” of Our Lord in the Eucharist and the importance of drawing closer to the Blessed Sacrament by sharing — calmly yet passionately, at the very end of his sermon — that a parish in his homeland had just been…

Catholic Business and Faith Innovation in Brazil: For 30 Years, Gas Stations with Blessed Sacrament Chapels!

Catholic Business and Faith Innovation in Brazil: For 30 Years, Gas Stations with Blessed Sacrament Chapels!

CNA w/ edits—A major gas station chain in Brazil is building chapels for the Blessed Sacrament on the country’s highways as an “oasis” for travelers. It is normal for travelers to stop at a gas station to fill a vehicle’s gas tank and maybe grab a bite to eat or take some time to rest,…

Sister Faustina and Divine Mercy

Sister Faustina and Divine Mercy

The video below is—by far—the most powerful, yet simply delivered, talk on Sister Faustina and Image of Divine Mercy ever.  It was delivered during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, by Sr. Gaudia Skass of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy — the same congregation to which Sister Faustina belonged.  Sr. Guadia…

Against the odds? Finding Faith at Harvard

Against the odds? Finding Faith at Harvard

CNA—One convert’s journey to Catholicism began with an invitation to an ice-cream social. Another says he instantly believed in the Real Presence the moment someone explained what the round object was that everyone was staring at during Eucharistic Adoration. For a third, the poems of T.S. Eliot — and a seemingly random encounter with a…

Keep Your Eyes on Poland

Keep Your Eyes on Poland

Crisis—As the world watches Ukraine right now, keep your eyes on Poland.  Poland has had a special place in the history of the last 100 years, from turning back Russian communists at the Miracle on the Vistula in 1920 onward through World War II and the Cold War. I call Poland “the fulcrum.” Critical events…

Pope Francis hails ‘the beauty of Mary’s heart’ on Immaculate Conception feast

Pope Francis hails ‘the beauty of Mary’s heart’ on Immaculate Conception feast

CNA—Pope Francis highlighted “the beauty of Mary’s heart” in his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope said on Dec. 8 that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel, described in St. Luke’s Gospel, revealed her deep humility. “Within the domestic walls, a person reveals him or herself better…

The Only Catholic parish  in Afghanistan

The Only Catholic parish in Afghanistan

Aug 16, 2021—Ambasciata d’Italia Kabul—The possibility to host a Catholic Chaplain within the Italian “legation” was provided by “The Agreement between Italy and Afghanistan to exchange permanent diplomatic missions” in 1921. King “Amanullah”, [who was] grateful to Italy for being the first western country to recognize formally the independence of Afghanistan, [and who] showed himself…

“Your bishop wants to kill you!” : Willingly working in one of the most dangerous places in the world, One Priest Inspires Beyond Words

“Your bishop wants to kill you!” : Willingly working in one of the most dangerous places in the world, One Priest Inspires Beyond Words

“Your bishop wants to kill you” When priest friends of Fr. Innocent Sunu learned of the newly ordained priest’s first parish assignment in Madagali, Nigeria, they warned the new priest that his bishop was trying to kill him. But Fr. Innocent Sunu saw it differently. In fact this young priest waived his right to refuse…

Full Text: Pope Francis’ In-flight Press Conference after Historic Papal Visit to Iraq

Full Text: Pope Francis’ In-flight Press Conference after Historic Papal Visit to Iraq

Below is the full text of the inflight interview between Pope Francis and news media en route from from the Holy Father’s historic visit to Irac Baghdad, Iraq, to Rome, Italy that took place March 8, 2021, provided courtesy of CNA: Pope Francis: First of all, thank you for your work, your company, your fatigue.…

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Son became Baptized Catholic, and He’s not alone

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Son became Baptized Catholic, and He’s not alone

London—CNA—The son of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was baptized a Catholic earlier this month, the Diocese of Westminster said Tuesday. In a statement Sept. 22, the diocese said: “We can confirm that Wilfred Johnson was baptized in Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 12, 2020, in a private ceremony, attended by both parents and a small…

Young Catholic missionary helps ignite faith on college campus

Young Catholic missionary helps ignite faith on college campus

At the start of my college career my main hesitation had a lot to do with my Catholic faith. My biggest fear was that with all the distractions college provided, even those not inherently bad like school, work, and sports, I would lose my faith. And that fear was very real, but by the grace…

Novena to Holy Spirit begins today – first, oldest novena in the Church –

Novena to Holy Spirit begins today – first, oldest novena in the Church –

Join us in praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit, beginning today, May 22, 2020.  This is the first and oldest novena in the Church, having begun at Christ’s request of the Apostles as they gathered in fear in the Upper Room before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them in what is now…

Historic Moment: Britons re-dedicate England to Our Lady, more than half a million take part

Historic Moment: Britons re-dedicate England to Our Lady, more than half a million take part

CNA—More than half a million people took part Sunday in the re-dedication of England to Our Lady Sunday, organizers have said. The English bishops had originally asked Catholics to gather in churches and cathedrals for the re-dedication at noon March 29. They were forced to change their plans when the government imposed a lockdown across…

Norbertine Fathers in California launch digital Advent calendar

Norbertine Fathers in California launch digital Advent calendar

CNA—A religious order in southern California is kicking off Advent with a digital calendar that allows Catholics to go more in-depth as they prepare for the Christmas season. The virtual calendar was launched on the first Sunday of Advent by the priests of the Norbertine order from St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, California. The…

Our Patient and Indulgent Mother Church

Our Patient and Indulgent Mother Church

Crisis—A few decades ago, I had lunch with Daniel Carroll in Howard County, Maryland, during which he used a pop-up toaster in his grand dining room, which was hung with ancestral portraits. There were many such portraits, for Dan was a direct descendant of the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll…

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