Almighty and Eternal God,
Give me, I beseech You,
the great gift of inward peace.
Command the winds and storms
of my unruly passions.
Subdue, by Your grace,
my proneness to love
created things too much.
Give me a love of suffering for Your sake.
make me forbearing and kind to others,
that I may avoid quarrels and contentions.
And teach me constantly to seek after
and to acquire that perfect resignation
to Your Holy Will
which alone brings interior peace.
Amen.
Read MoreA reading from the Letter to the Ephesians
2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
From the Gospel according to Luke
6:12-16
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
A text by St Augustine offers us the key to interpreting Christ’s miracles as signs of his saving power: “His becoming man for us has benefited our salvation far more than the miracles He performed among us; and it is more important than His healing the diseases of the body destined to die” (St Augustine, In Io. Ev. Tr., 17, 1). In order to bring about this salvation of the soul and the redemption of the whole world, Jesus also performed miracles of a physical nature. (…) Through the ‘miracles, wonders and signs’ He performed, Jesus Christ manifested His power to save man from the evil that threatens the immortal soul and its vocation to union with God. (…)
Jesus clearly reveals His mission to free humanity from evil and, above all, from sin, which is spiritual evil. It is a mission that involves and explains His struggle with the evil spirit, who is the primary author of evil in human history. As we read in the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly declares that this is the meaning of His work and that of His apostles. (…) After appointing the Twelve, Jesus sends them out “to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mk 3:14-15). According to Luke, the seventy-two disciples, after returning from their first mission, also report to Jesus: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Lk 10:17). Thus [we read] in Luke: “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on every power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Lk 10:18-19). And according to Mark, after appointing the Twelve, Jesus sent them “to preach and to have authority to cast out demons” (Mk 3:14-15). (…)
Part of this power, and part of the mission of the Saviour of the world manifested by “miracles, wonders and signs”, is also the victory over death, the dramatic consequence of sin. (…) Yes, all the “miracles, wonders and signs” of Christ serve to reveal Him as the Messiah, as the Son of God: as the one who alone has the power to free man from sin and death. As the one who truly is the Saviour of the world. (St. John Paul II, General Audience, 25 November 1987)
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Vatican City, Oct 27, 2025 / 17:49 pm (CNA).
In separate audiences on Monday, Pope Leo XIV received two political leaders with very different views on the migration issue. In the morning, he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and in the afternoon he met with Magnus Brunner, European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration.
Orbán maintains a restrictionist stance on migration and has repeatedly criticized the migrant redistribution policies promoted by the European Union. For his part, Brunner defends a common migration policy and supports the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, an agreement the Hungarian leader firmly rejects.
Orbán arrived promptly at 9 a.m. at the Courtyard of San Damaso in the Apostolic Palace for his first official meeting with the Holy Father. He later met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy See, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and international organizations.
The Vatican did not provide details on the content of the private audience with the pope nor did it specify whether the migration issue was among the topics discussed. For his part, the Hungarian prime minister stated on his X account that he requested the pope’s support in his country’s efforts for peace.
During the meeting at the Secretariat of State, the strong bilateral relations and appreciation for the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting social development and the well-being of the Hungarian community were highlighted.
According to the Vatican, special attention was paid to the role of the family and the formation and future of young people as well as the importance of protecting the most vulnerable Christian communities.
The discussions also addressed European issues, especially the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
Last Thursday, during his meeting with delegates from popular movements, Pope Leo XIV defended each state’s right and duty to protect its borders, which he said must be balanced with “the moral obligation to provide refuge” and warned against “inhumane” measures that treat migrants as if they were “garbage.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 27, 2025 / 17:08 pm (CNA).
Russian President Vladimir Putin is voicing concern about the ongoing internal problem of “falling birth rates” in his own country and suggesting state action to address the issue.
Putin said in an Oct. 23 meeting with the Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy that drops in birth rates have become “a global trend and a global challenge in the modern world” that is especially affecting economically developed countries, “and Russia is unfortunately no exception.”
Russia, he noted, has had “demographic pitfalls” from losses in World War II and problems that coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Though he did not mention the ongoing war with Ukraine, Russia has also lost between 137,000 and 228,000 soldiers in the war approaching its fourth year, according to an analysis by The Economist.
Putin said some countries respond to falling birth rates with “uncontrolled, and even chaotic migration to replace the native population” but that Russia’s approach would be different.
“Our choice is unequivocal,” the president said. “We support the family as the fundamental basis of Russian society and aim to protect and preserve genuine family values and traditions, which have united and strengthened our country for centuries.”
The country’s fertility rate is less than 1.5 children per woman — which is far less than the 2.1 births per woman that’s needed to simply maintain a nation’s population. It’s less than half of what Putin sees as his ideal, which is that “families with three or more children should be seen as a standard and natural way of life in our country.”
Russia is the ninth most populous country in the world, but it has dropped from 147.6 million people in 1990 to about 146.1 million today, according to The Independent. The latter number includes 2 million people gained from the annexation and occupation of Crimea.
Putin said “no pressure should be exerted” to force couples to have children, because it is “a private and personal matter.” Yet, he said Russia should ensure young people “would sincerely aspire to a happy motherhood, would aim to effectively raise their children, and that they would feel confident that the state will support them whenever necessary.”
“It is now very important … to promote and uphold the internal attitude that I have mentioned … so that the desire to create a family, to marry and to have many children becomes prevalent in the public mentality,” Putin said.
Putin sees the government as an essential partner in addressing the falling birth rates. He noted Russia’s low-interest mortgages and flat-rate benefits for low-income families and an initiative scheduled for early next year to reduce income tax for low-income families raising at least two children.
Another concern Putin noted is that young people postpone starting families when they focus on studying or their early career. He said young people should “not have to choose one path over another” and highlighted the country’s increase in pregnancy and childbirth benefits for full-time students, along with some universities offering day care.
“Fatherhood and motherhood are a source of joy, and there is no need to postpone happiness,” Putin said. “That is what truly matters.”
Putin noted that housing expansions and better infrastructure are also needed, along with the promotion of “fundamental value-based attitudes” and engagement with cultural figures and the mass media.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has similarly expressed concerns about the declining birth rates in the country. Last year, he highlighted the “tragedy” of abortion as a contributing factor.
Putin did not mention abortion at last week’s meeting. In Russia, elective abortion is legal up to the 12th week of pregnancy, but the government has banned promoting “child-free propaganda,” and many regions have banned people from pressuring women to have abortions.
Last year, Kirill sent letters to encourage women early in their pregnancies to carry their unborn children until birth. He wished them “good health, peace of mind, and many blessings from Christ, the giver of life” and discussed the blessing of children.
Earlier this month, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about declining birth rates in Italy when he met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. He urged a “concerted effort” to promote family and protect life “in all its phases.”
“In particular, I wish to emphasize the importance of guaranteeing all families the indispensable support of dignified work, in fair conditions and with due attention to the needs related to motherhood and fatherhood,” Leo said. “Let us do everything possible to give confidence to families — especially young families — so that they may look to the future with serenity and grow in harmony.”
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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 27, 2025 / 15:53 pm (CNA).
The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is launching a new Bible study program to help Catholics prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The Bible study, titled “Bible Across America,” is set to begin Nov. 5 and aims to gather Catholics “around God’s Word to prayerfully study Scripture, grow in discipleship, and build one another up in the Lord,” the organization announced. The course represents the latest addition to the St. Paul Center, whose offerings include online courses, academic books on Scripture and theology, and in-person events for clergy and laity across the country.
Based in Steubenville, Ohio, the St. Paul Center is an independent, nonprofit research and educational institution dedicated, according to its website, to promoting “life-transforming Scripture study from the heart of the Church” and through its programming seeks “to raise up a new generation of priests who are fluent in the Bible and laypeople who are biblically literate.”
The initiative builds on the center’s previous “Journey Through Scripture” video Bible studies, which have as their goal empowering “Catholics and Christians across North America to experience an ‘Emmaus moment,’ encountering Christ in the pages of sacred Scripture and through the doctrine of the Catholic Church.”
In preparation for Advent and Christmas, the new course will help Catholics understand “who Christ is as ‘Teacher and Lord’ (Jn 13:13).” The Bible study will include seven weekly sessions starting Nov. 5 that will each focus on a different theme including the Infancy Narratives, exorcisms, the Sermon on the Mount, the healing of the synagogue ruler’s daughter, Martha and Mary, the Lost Sheep and Luke 15, and the Transfiguration of Jesus.
The center’s “Bible Across America” initiative is billing itself as “a nationwide Catholic Bible movement,” encouraging Catholics to create and organize Bible study groups with their families, friends, or fellow parishioners. Leaders can register with St. Paul Center to receive a guide to help conduct discussions with their groups. Use of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, which was released last year and whose general editor is St. Paul Center founder Scott Hahn, is also being promoted as part of the initiative.
As “Bible Across America” is expected to simultaneously welcome thousands of participants, St. Paul Center anticipated it will be the “largest Bible study” in the United States. The organization is working in partnership with other Catholic organizations on the project, including Hallow, FOCUS, and Mount St. Mary’s University. The sessions are slated to include insights from Benedictine Father Boniface Hicks, Heather Khym, Shane Owens, Katie McGrady, and Alex Jones, the CEO of Hallow.
“By witnessing the transformative power of studying Scripture in community, ‘Bible Across America’ will inspire Catholics across the nation to introduce communal Scripture study in their own homes and parishes,” the center noted.
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Kayak’s data shows lower prices this year—here are the top destinations offering the best value.
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Mission Highlight: China’s Shenzhou-21 crew launch This week’s highlight is the upcoming launch of China’s Shenzhou-21 crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. While Xinhua states the launch will occur “at an appropriate time in the near future,” external sources such as Next Spaceflight report the Long March-2F carrier rocket is scheduled to lift offContinue reading “Shenzhou-21 crew headed to Tiangong Station this week”
The post Shenzhou-21 crew headed to Tiangong Station this week appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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CNA Staff, Oct 27, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV will name St. John Henry Newman a patron saint of Catholic education in a document to be published on Oct. 28 for the 60th anniversary of Gravissimum Educationis, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on Christian education.
He will become an official co-patron saint of education, alongside St. Thomas Aquinas, during the Vatican’s Jubilee of the World of Education from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1. He will also be declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Leo at the jubilee’s closing Mass on Nov. 1, the solemnity of All Saints.
Newman will join a list of several other Catholic saints considered patrons of other aspects of education. Get to know them here:
A scholar and doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas is considered one of the Catholic Church’s greatest theologians and philosophers. He is the patron saint of Catholic colleges and universities, teachers, philosophers, theologians, and students.
A teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Albert the Great was a provincial of the Dominican order and is also a doctor of the Church. He is the patron saint of science students due to his belief that science and faith are compatible.
A Conventual Franciscan Friar, St. Joseph of Cupertino was an Italian mystic who was known for struggling with his studies. He is a patron saint of students, especially those preparing to take exams.
St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle was a French priest, educational reformer, and founder of the Institute of Brothers of the Christian Schools. He is a patron saint of teachers.
St. Scholastica is the foundress of the women’s branch of Benedictine monasticism, which focuses on prayer, work, and study. Her name also means “scholar.” Therefore, she is a patron saint of education.
Known for his influential writings on spiritual direction and formation, St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers, journalists, the Catholic press, and educators.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is considered the foundress of the Catholic school system in the United States, making her a patron of Catholic schools. In 1810, she opened the first Catholic girls school in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was also here where she founded the first American congregation of religious sisters, the Sisters of Charity.
A member of the Redemptorist order, St. John Neumann was the fourth bishop of Philadelphia. While he was there, he founded the first Catholic diocesan school in the United States, which made him a patron saint of Catholic education.
St. Gemma Galgani is considered a patron saint of students because she was an exceptional and diligent student who excelled in her education despite her fragile health.
A fourth-century noblewoman and scholar, St. Catherine of Alexandria is a patron saint of students, teachers, and librarians due to her incredible skills in debate, which led to many conversions among pagan philosophers.
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President Trump over the weekend highlighted the 2020 election, of which “we now know everything,” in a statement on Truth Social, calling for an investigation and prosecutions by the 2026 midterm elections.
The post Trump Calls for DOJ to Investigate “the Biggest SCANDAL in American history” when “Crooked Moron” Stole the 2020 Election – “No mail-in or ‘Early’ Voting, Yes to Voter ID! GET SMART REPUBLICANS, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has presided over skyrocketing homelessness, rampant crime, and a mass exodus from the state, has finally admitted that he is considering running for president in 2028.
The post California’s Failed Governor Gavin Newsom Admits He is Eying 2028 White House Bid appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Not one, but TWO taxpayer-funded houses is their price.
The post Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Demand TWO Windsor Houses To Vacate Royal Lodge – King Charles in a Rush To Remove Them Before William and Kate Move to Nearby Forest Lodge appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Before Nov. 4 election, N.J. bishops call voting a spiritual responsibility #Catholic – 
Ahead of the upcoming election, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese has joined his fellow Catholic bishops of New Jersey in releasing a new collaborative video about the Church’s teaching on “Faithful Citizenship.” The bishops emphasize that voting is not just a civic duty but a spiritual responsibility for Catholics in the three-and-a-half-minute video.
The bishops’ message states, “God calls each of us as Catholics to further the work of his kingdom. One important way we can promote good values in our communities and in our nation is by participating in the political process. If you do not bring God’s voice into the voting booth and the decisions shaping our country, who will?”
In the video, each bishop voiced a different part of the message while all endorsing it. In addition to Bishop Sweeney, the participating bishops are Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of the Newark Archdiocese, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., of the Trenton Diocese, Coadjutor Archbishop James F. Checchio, of the New Orleans Archdiocese and the administrator of the Metuchen Diocese, and Bishop Joseph A. Williams of the Camden Diocese.
This video is the second Faithful Citizenship video project sponsored by the New Jersey Catholic Conference.
James King, executive director, explained the project’s ongoing purpose: “With the Nov. 4 election fast approaching — and with New Jersey voters preparing to cast ballots that will elect a new governor, members of the General Assembly as well as several local municipal and school board elections — the bishops used this moment to remind Catholics of their obligation to participate in the democratic process.”
“Additionally, the bishops remind the faithful that it is not the Church’s place to tell them how to vote,” King said. “Each of us has the right — and the responsibility — to follow our conscience, shaped by Scripture and the Church’s wisdom.”
King said the message is not only about voting and preparing to vote, but a call to action for all Catholics to help bring civility back to our political process.
“Unfortunately, today, we see how political division has affected our society. Catholics are not immune to the effects of political division; too many of us allow our politics to shape our faith when our faith should shape our politics. We must remember that Christ calls us to be peacemakers.”
The bishops offer two key resources at https://njcatholic.org to help Catholics prepare to vote and bring civility back to political discourse. They are:
The video closes with a simple but powerful call to action: “Your voice matters in New Jersey. Let us vote for what is good, what is true, and what builds a better future — for you, your family, and our neighbors. May God bless you.”
The video is available in English and with Spanish captioning. It has been distributed to the diocesan media outlets in New Jersey. Watch the full video here. To access voter resources, visit https://njcatholic.org.
– Ahead of the upcoming election, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese has joined his fellow Catholic bishops of New Jersey in releasing a new collaborative video about the Church’s teaching on “Faithful Citizenship.” The bishops emphasize that voting is not just a civic duty but a spiritual responsibility for Catholics in the three-and-a-half-minute video. The bishops’ message states, “God calls each of us as Catholics to further the work of his kingdom. One important way we can promote good values in our communities and in our nation is by participating in the political process. If you do not
