The Mystery of Passiontide and Holy Week
Above: Christus mit der heiligen Veronika auf dem Weg zum Kalvarienberg, possibly from the Danube school, c. 1520. From The Liturgical Year. The holy liturgy is rich in mystery during these days of the Church’s celebrating the anniversaries of so many wonderful events; but as the principal part of these mysteries is embodied in the […]
Nund Rishi, esteemed representative of Sufism
Yann Vagneux, a priest from the Paris Foreign Missions Society living in India, introduces Nund Rishi (1377-1438), a Sufi master who drew numerous followers, both Muslim and Hindu.
A glimpse inside the struggle for freedom: Belarus holds 1,400 dissenters in prisons
On March 25, known as Freedom Day, Belarusians remember the 1918 founding of the Belarusian People’s Republic. Only the opposition honors this day, amid a harsh, relentless crackdown since nearly four years following an uprising against Alexander Lukashenko’s rigged re-election
In Madagascar, the Base Toliara mine project splits communities
Halted by the government since 2019, a mining project led by an Australian company is threatening to restart in the country’s south. Fishermen, farmers, and Mikea hunter-gatherers are keeping a vigilant eye to ensure their right to a clean environment is upheld.
Jerusalem celebrates Jewish festival of Purim – but is it right to rejoice in wartime?
Questions have been raised about the Jewish festival of Purim held this past weekend in the Holy City.
“With Pope Francis, anything is possible”
The Jesuit pope continues to cause surprise through words and deeds, cultivating the image of an unpredictable man.
Pope condemns Moscow terrorist attack, skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass
Pope Francis urges an end to violence and hatred throughout the world at start of Holy Week, surprising those attending Palm Sunday Mass by not delivering his anticipated homily.
Report: Eucharistic Congress cautioned speaker over ‘Catholic Prayer for Trump’ event (Pillar)
Organizers of the National Eucharistic Congress asked Jason Evert, one of the scheduled speakers, to reconsider his role in a Catholic Prayer for Trump event, according to The Pillar. Evert did not participate in the March 19 Mar-a-Lago event, organized. “We are very much trying to keep the Congress completely away from politics,” said Kate […]
New Indiana law strengthens right to have children released from public school for religious instruction (Religion Clause)
Gov. Eric Holcomb of Indiana has signed legislation requiring public schools to release students, upon parental request, for up to two hours per week for religious instruction. State law previously permitted—but did not require—public school principals to release students. The new legislation passed the state house and state senate by large majorities (69-25 and 32-16).
Louisiana Supreme Court strikes down ‘lookback window’ for child sex abuse victims (Black Catholic Messenger)
In a 4-3 decision, the Louisiana Supreme Court struck down a 2021 law, passed unanimously by the state legislature, that lifted the statute of limitations for lawsuits for child sexual abuse. In 2023, a lower state court upheld the constitutionality of the law. The Diocese of Lafayette and one of its parishes appealed the decision.