The 1934 Easter Miracle of Music
Above: St. Peter’s square before the Via della Conciliazione was built in 1936. In the radiant setting of Easter Sunday in 1934, the Church also rejoiced at the elevation to the altars of John Bosco (†1888) by Pope Pius XI (†1939). Among the elements that made this celebration even more memorable, there was the musical […]
Daily Devotional: April 3, 2024
Today is Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, the Wednesday in the Octave of Easter, a First Class Feast, with the liturgical color of white or gold. In this episode: Today’s collect, The Meditation Motives for Rejoicing, News from the US District about Vocations Retreats, A preview of Today’s Sermon: Behold, I Make All Things New, And […]
Pope appeals for ceasefire in Gaza
Pope Francis makes his latest vehement plea for a ceasefire in Gaza, and appeals, once again, for “working tirelessly” for an end to the war, especially for the “suffering and exhausted civilian population,” during his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican. Read all
Pope Francis remembers young Oleksandr, slain Ukrainian soldier
The Holy Father remembers at his weekly General Audience, 23-year-old Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier, with his whole life ahead of him, who was killed in the war, as the Pope held the late soldier’s rosary and Gospel. Read all
Brazilian episcopate ignores military coup’s 60th anniversary
SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva decision to avoid promoting official acts on the 60th anniversary of the 1964 military coup that led to a 21-year-long dictatorship is apparently being followed by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB). Amid tensions between his administration and the Armed Forces – […]
Michigan bishops lament new surrogacy law, say women could be exploited
NEW YORK – A newly enacted package of bills in Michigan that decriminalizes paid surrogacy contracts ignores multiple concerns that exist within the practice, including protecting women from exploitation and human trafficking, according to the state’s Catholic bishops. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Michigan Family Protection Act on April 1. Whitmer touted the package of […]
Nigerian priest says Chibok girls marriage to their abductors a ‘damaging approach’
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – A Nigerian priest has compared the government option to marry off freed Boko Haram hostages to their abductors to trying to heal cancer with a bandage. Father Moses Lorapuu – Director of Communication and Vicar General Pastoral for the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State – was reacting to reports indicating […]
Realities of US racism demand deeper commitment from bishops, say Black Catholics
In 2017 the U.S. bishops formed an Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, amid rising white nationalist activity. The current realities of racism demand a deeper commitment from the bishops, Black Catholic leaders told NCR.
Easter prioritizes grace, life and universality
The Resurrection imparted a worldview to the early Christian community, and fidelity to that worldview remains a hallmark of the Catholic Church.
Extra, extra! News and views for Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Women of the Church – “Some of the lesser known, less venerated Catholic women of the past who contributed in important ways to the history of the Church and of their times more broadly include […]