Day: April 15, 2026

Knights of Columbus affirms ‘solidarity’ with Pope Leo XIV as Trump escalates criticism #Catholic The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization’s solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.“The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.“In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction,” he said.Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff’s staunch opposition to war.Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo’s policy views, Kelly said, “the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.”“Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering,” he said. “The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself.”Kelly noted that many Catholics and others “have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV” by Trump, and that Leo “is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.”In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security “in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace.”“The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good," he said.Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.“As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he said. “I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it.”“And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse,” he added. “May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”Trump goes after Leo againTrumpʼs social media post said: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable."During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that “ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives.”“I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society,” he said at the time.Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: “The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region.”While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran’s government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.Vance, bishops offer more commentsCatholic bishops and leaders have responded to Trump’s attack on Pope Leo, and elected officials also have made statements.Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump’s social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.Sample said the Church’s role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”“One of the issues here is that if youʼre going to opine on matters of theology, youʼve got to be careful,” he said. “Youʼve got to make sure itʼs anchored in the truth.”Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: “Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response.”Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.
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Knights of Columbus affirms ‘solidarity’ with Pope Leo XIV as Trump escalates criticism #Catholic The Knights of Columbus issued a statement that affirms the Catholic fraternal organization’s solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as President Donald Trump criticized the Holy Father a second time on Truth Social.“The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division but to unity, not to conflict but to peace,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said in the statement.“In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction,” he said.Trump escalated his criticism of the Holy Father late Tuesday evening in a second post on Truth Social, which criticized the pontiff’s staunch opposition to war.Whether one agrees or disagrees with Leo’s policy views, Kelly said, “the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously.”“Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering,” he said. “The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself.”Kelly noted that many Catholics and others “have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV” by Trump, and that Leo “is not a politician — he is the vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls.”In his statement, Kelly acknowledged that faithful Catholics can hold differing views on foreign policy and that Catholics should engage in the public square. He said nations can safeguard security “in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace.”“The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good," he said.Kelly also encouraged prayers for the pope, the president, and other politicians.“As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he said. “I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it.”“And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse,” he added. “May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”Trump goes after Leo againTrumpʼs social media post said: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable."During the protests, Leo did call for peace, saying in January that “ongoing tensions [in Iran and Syria] continue to claim many lives.”“I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society,” he said at the time.Leo has also strongly opposed nuclear weapons, saying in June 2025: “The further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, as well as this escalation of violence, imperils the fragile stability remaining in the region.”While Trump cited numbers exceeding 40,000 people, estimates about the number of people killed in anti-regime protests and unrest in Iran varies a lot, ranging from several thousand to more than 30,000. Most protesters were unarmed, but Iran’s government claims some were armed and killed about 500 security personnel. Trump said the United States tried to arm the protesters, but those guns did not get to the right people.Vance, bishops offer more commentsCatholic bishops and leaders have responded to Trump’s attack on Pope Leo, and elected officials also have made statements.Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said he is deeply concerned and troubled by Trump’s social media rhetoric, especially during Holy Week and Easter, which he says falls short of the moral standard expected of both the presidency and a professed Christian. The archbishop criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, saying the pope’s calls for peace and dialogue arise from his pastoral mission, not political ideology.Sample said the Church’s role is to proclaim peace, human dignity, and the Gospel, citing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemned attacks and mockery directed at Pope Leo XIV and the papacy, affirming that respect for the Holy Father is essential to Catholic faith.Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, said at a Turning Point USA event that Pope Leo XIV should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”“One of the issues here is that if youʼre going to opine on matters of theology, youʼve got to be careful,” he said. “Youʼve got to make sure itʼs anchored in the truth.”Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said: “Any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response.”Pope Leo XIV has responded to Trump’s public criticism by saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out boldly with the message of the Gospel.

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Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is asking Catholics to pray for the pope and the president, as President Trump again criticized Leo’s comments about the Iran war.

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Pope Leo XIV arrives in Cameroon for second leg of Africa trip #Catholic YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV arrived Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, after a five-hour flight. While meeting with journalists aboard the papal plane, he delivered a brief address, thanking the Algerian authorities and reflecting on the first leg of the journey.Leo, speaking in English, expressed his “gratitude to all the authorities in Algeria, who made this visit possible. As youʼve seen, theyʼve even granted us the full honor of an escort as we fly over Algerian airspace.”This, the pope said, is “a sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See, to myself. And so I want to say a word of thanks to them, as well as a word of thanks to the very small but very significant presence of the Catholic Church in Algeria.”The pontiff then reflected on the journey.“We had, as you know,” he said, “some very special visits both in the Basilica Notre Dame dʼAfrique as well as in Annaba yesterday, in the Basilica of St. Augustine on the hill overlooking both the modern city of Annaba and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ippona. And that in itself, I would say, is also symbolically significant, because St. Augustine, who was bishop, as you know, of Hippo for more than 30 years, actually is a figure which is very much from the past and speaks to us of tradition, speaks to us of the life, the Church, as the Church grew in the early centuries.”Continuing to speak about St. Augustine, Leo said that he is “a very important figure today as his writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today — a message that is very real for all of us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people. And as youʼve seen, even the people of Algeria, the vast majority of whom are not Christian, they very much honor and respect the memory of St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land.""So it was a special blessing for me personally to return once again to Annaba yesterday," he said, "but also to offer to the Church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers us in terms of the search for God and the struggle to build community, to seek for unity among all peoples and respect for all peoples in spite of the differences.”The pope concluded: “In two days in Algeria I think weʼve really had a wonderful opportunity to, if you will, continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue. I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that it showed that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace. And so I think that promoting that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today, and that together we can continue to offer in our witness through as we continue on this apostolic voyage.”Pope Leo XIV is the third pope to visit Cameroon.Leo will first meet with 92-year-old President Biya, elected to an eighth term and in power for 40 years. After his address to the diplomatic corps — a standard stop at the beginning of every trip — the pope will visit the Ngul Zamba orphanage, a historic point of reference for the care and education of orphaned children and minors in situations of serious social vulnerability.In addition to Yaoundé, Leo XIV will also visit the city of Bamenda, around 230 miles from the capital, at the center of the Anglophone crisis — a complex situation in which English-speaking separatists have also called for the formation of their own state.The pope will also visit Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, thus touching all the major realities of the country before departing for Angola on April 18.
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Pope Leo XIV arrives in Cameroon for second leg of Africa trip #Catholic YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV arrived Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, after a five-hour flight. While meeting with journalists aboard the papal plane, he delivered a brief address, thanking the Algerian authorities and reflecting on the first leg of the journey.Leo, speaking in English, expressed his “gratitude to all the authorities in Algeria, who made this visit possible. As youʼve seen, theyʼve even granted us the full honor of an escort as we fly over Algerian airspace.”This, the pope said, is “a sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See, to myself. And so I want to say a word of thanks to them, as well as a word of thanks to the very small but very significant presence of the Catholic Church in Algeria.”The pontiff then reflected on the journey.“We had, as you know,” he said, “some very special visits both in the Basilica Notre Dame dʼAfrique as well as in Annaba yesterday, in the Basilica of St. Augustine on the hill overlooking both the modern city of Annaba and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ippona. And that in itself, I would say, is also symbolically significant, because St. Augustine, who was bishop, as you know, of Hippo for more than 30 years, actually is a figure which is very much from the past and speaks to us of tradition, speaks to us of the life, the Church, as the Church grew in the early centuries.”Continuing to speak about St. Augustine, Leo said that he is “a very important figure today as his writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today — a message that is very real for all of us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people. And as youʼve seen, even the people of Algeria, the vast majority of whom are not Christian, they very much honor and respect the memory of St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land.""So it was a special blessing for me personally to return once again to Annaba yesterday," he said, "but also to offer to the Church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers us in terms of the search for God and the struggle to build community, to seek for unity among all peoples and respect for all peoples in spite of the differences.”The pope concluded: “In two days in Algeria I think weʼve really had a wonderful opportunity to, if you will, continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue. I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that it showed that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace. And so I think that promoting that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today, and that together we can continue to offer in our witness through as we continue on this apostolic voyage.”Pope Leo XIV is the third pope to visit Cameroon.Leo will first meet with 92-year-old President Biya, elected to an eighth term and in power for 40 years. After his address to the diplomatic corps — a standard stop at the beginning of every trip — the pope will visit the Ngul Zamba orphanage, a historic point of reference for the care and education of orphaned children and minors in situations of serious social vulnerability.In addition to Yaoundé, Leo XIV will also visit the city of Bamenda, around 230 miles from the capital, at the center of the Anglophone crisis — a complex situation in which English-speaking separatists have also called for the formation of their own state.The pope will also visit Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, thus touching all the major realities of the country before departing for Angola on April 18.

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Reflecting on the visit to Algeria, the pope described it as “a wonderful opportunity to continue building bridges and promoting dialogue.”

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The Amazing Story of St. Dymphna, the city that welcomed and embraced her, and Hope for Healing #Catholic – “The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…” Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society. As part of the introduction, I said that, “The St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society (is) a group of the faithful, as “pilgrims of Hope” within our diocese (who) have discerned the call to offer this pro-life ministry of accompaniment and offering of resources to brothers and sisters who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, or isolation. I was grateful when the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society let me know (reminded me) that the Feast of St. Dymphna is on May 15. As is the case with many, many Saints, the Feast of St. Dymphna is not included in the liturgical calendar of Feasts (and Memorials) celebrated on an annual basis in the United States. I was grateful that the members of the society reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was only a few weeks away and offered some suggestions as to how we might pray, celebrate, and raise awareness of St. Dymphna on her Feast Day. As I thought about the upcoming Feast Day and the suggestions offered by the society, I began to do some research online. As with most subjects, there is a great amount of information available on the internet about St. Dymphna. The story of St. Dymphna, of her life and death, is not an “easy read.” The article I quote above begins, “The story of Dymphna — the patron saint of the mentally ill — involves such horrors as incest and decapitation. However, her legacy launched a community of unprecedented and unrivaled compassion for the mentally ill.” The article goes on to tell the story of the town of Geel, Belgium, where St. Dymphna was martyred and is buried. It also tells the truly amazing story of how it became a therapeutic community that continues to welcome and assist those who struggle with mental illness to the present day. With regard to online resources, one that I would highly recommend is the website of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. On the “Resources” section of the website, under “Worship and Liturgy” and “Prayer,” you can find prayers and novenas, asking the intercession of St. Dymphna. You may also see there are some (older) traditions that recognize May 30 as St. Dymphna’s Feast Day. The “Worship and Liturgy” section of the website speaks about the Feast Day and May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The month of May provides opportunities to have a special Mass for people living with mental illness and for intercessory prayers and homilies that focus on mental health and how the Church is called to accompany people who live with mental illness. Saint Dymphna is a patron saint for those who live with a mental health challenge or disorder, and her feast day is May 30 (or May 15). In addition, May is Mental Health Month in the United States, and Mental Health Awareness Week is commemorated in Canada and Europe in May. Worship and Liturgy Resources For more information on May as Mental Health Awareness Month, see also: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing. I hope that many readers are already aware that the five Latin Rite Dioceses of our State, along with the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference will be sponsoring a Mental Health Conference: “From Isolation to Belonging: Mental Health and the Catholic Church” on Saturday, May 2. For more information and to register, you can go to our Diocesan website or click New Jersey Catholic Conference. We will be sending information to our pastors and parishes for those who may be interested in having a special Mass, prayer service, or a prayer of the faithful during the month (May) that can be one of the “busiest” months for parish life, with First Holy Communions, Confirmations, graduations, Mother’s Day, and many other activities. I am happy to let you know that, in collaboration with the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, St. Mary’s parish in Pompton Lakes will be offering a special Mass on the Feast of St. Dymphna, Friday, May 15, for Those Living With and Supporting Those Living with Mental Illness. For more information, see the flyer included with this article below. The Mass will also be livestreamed on St. Mary’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.  Mental illness should not lead to a life of isolation. That is an imperative born of faith. In a recent address to the Pontifical Academy for Life, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, emphasized our common responsibility to reach out to the vulnerable. The Holy Father notes, “We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings.” There should be no stigma attached to seeking personal health care for those struggling with mental illness, nor in caring for those who suffer from mental illness. In our efforts to accompany those who bear the cross of emotional and mental anguish, we recognize our shared mortality and our hope for the fullness of life as God’s children. For those of us who have been impacted by a loved one who has struggled with mental illness, we know that it can be a very long and painful journey. Those who suffer personally from mental illness and those who care for them share a profound experience of the mystery of the Lord’s cross, the mystery of suffering. These Easter days and this beautiful Easter Season remind us that, as people of Faith, Hope, and Love, we know that the mystery of the cross, of pain, suffering, and isolation will lead us to the joy and peace of Easter. If we are united with Him in His suffering, we will be “…united with Him in the resurrection.” (Rom. 6:5) The gift of our Catholic Faith can give us the Grace and strength to persevere in times of trial and accompany one another on the journey. I am grateful for the ministry of the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, and I am glad that they reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was drawing near. As I mentioned above, I was amazed to learn more about the story of St. Dymphna’s life and death, but I was also amazed to learn of the impact that she has had and continues to have on the town of Geel in Belgium. I encourage you to read the full article, quoted above from “ncronline.” I also want to give credit and offer thanks to the Hallow app, because it was a link to the Hallow app’s webpage on St. Dymphna that led me to the “ncronline” article. We believe that God “works in mysterious ways.” Let us continue to pray for all those who suffer, especially those suffering with mental illness, as we ask the intercession of our Lady of Hope and of St. Dympna, knowing that our Risen Lord can give us the gifts of His healing and peace. St. Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer mental affliction, pray for us. St. Dymphna, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.  
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The Amazing Story of St. Dymphna, the city that welcomed and embraced her, and Hope for Healing #Catholic – “The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…” Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society. As part of the introduction, I said that, “The St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society (is) a group of the faithful, as “pilgrims of Hope” within our diocese (who) have discerned the call to offer this pro-life ministry of accompaniment and offering of resources to brothers and sisters who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, or isolation. I was grateful when the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society let me know (reminded me) that the Feast of St. Dymphna is on May 15. As is the case with many, many Saints, the Feast of St. Dymphna is not included in the liturgical calendar of Feasts (and Memorials) celebrated on an annual basis in the United States. I was grateful that the members of the society reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was only a few weeks away and offered some suggestions as to how we might pray, celebrate, and raise awareness of St. Dymphna on her Feast Day. As I thought about the upcoming Feast Day and the suggestions offered by the society, I began to do some research online. As with most subjects, there is a great amount of information available on the internet about St. Dymphna. The story of St. Dymphna, of her life and death, is not an “easy read.” The article I quote above begins, “The story of Dymphna — the patron saint of the mentally ill — involves such horrors as incest and decapitation. However, her legacy launched a community of unprecedented and unrivaled compassion for the mentally ill.” The article goes on to tell the story of the town of Geel, Belgium, where St. Dymphna was martyred and is buried. It also tells the truly amazing story of how it became a therapeutic community that continues to welcome and assist those who struggle with mental illness to the present day. With regard to online resources, one that I would highly recommend is the website of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. On the “Resources” section of the website, under “Worship and Liturgy” and “Prayer,” you can find prayers and novenas, asking the intercession of St. Dymphna. You may also see there are some (older) traditions that recognize May 30 as St. Dymphna’s Feast Day. The “Worship and Liturgy” section of the website speaks about the Feast Day and May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The month of May provides opportunities to have a special Mass for people living with mental illness and for intercessory prayers and homilies that focus on mental health and how the Church is called to accompany people who live with mental illness. Saint Dymphna is a patron saint for those who live with a mental health challenge or disorder, and her feast day is May 30 (or May 15). In addition, May is Mental Health Month in the United States, and Mental Health Awareness Week is commemorated in Canada and Europe in May. Worship and Liturgy Resources For more information on May as Mental Health Awareness Month, see also: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing. I hope that many readers are already aware that the five Latin Rite Dioceses of our State, along with the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference will be sponsoring a Mental Health Conference: “From Isolation to Belonging: Mental Health and the Catholic Church” on Saturday, May 2. For more information and to register, you can go to our Diocesan website or click New Jersey Catholic Conference. We will be sending information to our pastors and parishes for those who may be interested in having a special Mass, prayer service, or a prayer of the faithful during the month (May) that can be one of the “busiest” months for parish life, with First Holy Communions, Confirmations, graduations, Mother’s Day, and many other activities. I am happy to let you know that, in collaboration with the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, St. Mary’s parish in Pompton Lakes will be offering a special Mass on the Feast of St. Dymphna, Friday, May 15, for Those Living With and Supporting Those Living with Mental Illness. For more information, see the flyer included with this article below. The Mass will also be livestreamed on St. Mary’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.  Mental illness should not lead to a life of isolation. That is an imperative born of faith. In a recent address to the Pontifical Academy for Life, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, emphasized our common responsibility to reach out to the vulnerable. The Holy Father notes, “We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings.” There should be no stigma attached to seeking personal health care for those struggling with mental illness, nor in caring for those who suffer from mental illness. In our efforts to accompany those who bear the cross of emotional and mental anguish, we recognize our shared mortality and our hope for the fullness of life as God’s children. For those of us who have been impacted by a loved one who has struggled with mental illness, we know that it can be a very long and painful journey. Those who suffer personally from mental illness and those who care for them share a profound experience of the mystery of the Lord’s cross, the mystery of suffering. These Easter days and this beautiful Easter Season remind us that, as people of Faith, Hope, and Love, we know that the mystery of the cross, of pain, suffering, and isolation will lead us to the joy and peace of Easter. If we are united with Him in His suffering, we will be “…united with Him in the resurrection.” (Rom. 6:5) The gift of our Catholic Faith can give us the Grace and strength to persevere in times of trial and accompany one another on the journey. I am grateful for the ministry of the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, and I am glad that they reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was drawing near. As I mentioned above, I was amazed to learn more about the story of St. Dymphna’s life and death, but I was also amazed to learn of the impact that she has had and continues to have on the town of Geel in Belgium. I encourage you to read the full article, quoted above from “ncronline.” I also want to give credit and offer thanks to the Hallow app, because it was a link to the Hallow app’s webpage on St. Dymphna that led me to the “ncronline” article. We believe that God “works in mysterious ways.” Let us continue to pray for all those who suffer, especially those suffering with mental illness, as we ask the intercession of our Lady of Hope and of St. Dympna, knowing that our Risen Lord can give us the gifts of His healing and peace. St. Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer mental affliction, pray for us. St. Dymphna, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.  

unitedyam

The Amazing Story of St. Dymphna, the city that welcomed and embraced her, and Hope for Healing #Catholic –

“The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…”

Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill

BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY

Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society. As part of the introduction, I said that,

“The St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society (is) a group of the faithful, as “pilgrims of Hope” within our diocese (who) have discerned the call to offer this pro-life ministry of accompaniment and offering of resources to brothers and sisters who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, or isolation.

I was grateful when the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society let me know (reminded me) that the Feast of St. Dymphna is on May 15. As is the case with many, many Saints, the Feast of St. Dymphna is not included in the liturgical calendar of Feasts (and Memorials) celebrated on an annual basis in the United States. I was grateful that the members of the society reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was only a few weeks away and offered some suggestions as to how we might pray, celebrate, and raise awareness of St. Dymphna on her Feast Day.

As I thought about the upcoming Feast Day and the suggestions offered by the society, I began to do some research online. As with most subjects, there is a great amount of information available on the internet about St. Dymphna. The story of St. Dymphna, of her life and death, is not an “easy read.” The article I quote above begins, “The story of Dymphna — the patron saint of the mentally ill — involves such horrors as incest and decapitation. However, her legacy launched a community of unprecedented and unrivaled compassion for the mentally ill.” The article goes on to tell the story of the town of Geel, Belgium, where St. Dymphna was martyred and is buried. It also tells the truly amazing story of how it became a therapeutic community that continues to welcome and assist those who struggle with mental illness to the present day.

With regard to online resources, one that I would highly recommend is the website of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. On the “Resources” section of the website, under “Worship and Liturgy” and “Prayer,” you can find prayers and novenas, asking the intercession of St. Dymphna. You may also see there are some (older) traditions that recognize May 30 as St. Dymphna’s Feast Day. The “Worship and Liturgy” section of the website speaks about the Feast Day and May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

The month of May provides opportunities to have a special Mass for people living with mental illness and for intercessory prayers and homilies that focus on mental health and how the Church is called to accompany people who live with mental illness. Saint Dymphna is a patron saint for those who live with a mental health challenge or disorder, and her feast day is May 30 (or May 15). In addition, May is Mental Health Month in the United States, and Mental Health Awareness Week is commemorated in Canada and Europe in May. Worship and Liturgy Resources

For more information on May as Mental Health Awareness Month, see also: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

I hope that many readers are already aware that the five Latin Rite Dioceses of our State, along with the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference will be sponsoring a Mental Health Conference: “From Isolation to Belonging: Mental Health and the Catholic Church” on Saturday, May 2. For more information and to register, you can go to our Diocesan website or click New Jersey Catholic Conference.

We will be sending information to our pastors and parishes for those who may be interested in having a special Mass, prayer service, or a prayer of the faithful during the month (May) that can be one of the “busiest” months for parish life, with First Holy Communions, Confirmations, graduations, Mother’s Day, and many other activities.

I am happy to let you know that, in collaboration with the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, St. Mary’s parish in Pompton Lakes will be offering a special Mass on the Feast of St. Dymphna, Friday, May 15, for Those Living With and Supporting Those Living with Mental Illness. For more information, see the flyer included with this article below. The Mass will also be livestreamed on St. Mary’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. 

Mental illness should not lead to a life of isolation. That is an imperative born of faith. In a recent address to the Pontifical Academy for Life, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, emphasized our common responsibility to reach out to the vulnerable. The Holy Father notes, “We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings.” There should be no stigma attached to seeking personal health care for those struggling with mental illness, nor in caring for those who suffer from mental illness.

In our efforts to accompany those who bear the cross of emotional and mental anguish, we recognize our shared mortality and our hope for the fullness of life as God’s children. For those of us who have been impacted by a loved one who has struggled with mental illness, we know that it can be a very long and painful journey. Those who suffer personally from mental illness and those who care for them share a profound experience of the mystery of the Lord’s cross, the mystery of suffering. These Easter days and this beautiful Easter Season remind us that, as people of Faith, Hope, and Love, we know that the mystery of the cross, of pain, suffering, and isolation will lead us to the joy and peace of Easter. If we are united with Him in His suffering, we will be “…united with Him in the resurrection.” (Rom. 6:5)

The gift of our Catholic Faith can give us the Grace and strength to persevere in times of trial and accompany one another on the journey. I am grateful for the ministry of the St. Dymphna and Our Lady of Hope Society, and I am glad that they reminded me that the Feast of St. Dymphna was drawing near. As I mentioned above, I was amazed to learn more about the story of St. Dymphna’s life and death, but I was also amazed to learn of the impact that she has had and continues to have on the town of Geel in Belgium. I encourage you to read the full article, quoted above from “ncronline.” I also want to give credit and offer thanks to the Hallow app, because it was a link to the Hallow app’s webpage on St. Dymphna that led me to the “ncronline” article.

We believe that God “works in mysterious ways.” Let us continue to pray for all those who suffer, especially those suffering with mental illness, as we ask the intercession of our Lady of Hope and of St. Dympna, knowing that our Risen Lord can give us the gifts of His healing and peace. St. Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer mental affliction, pray for us. St. Dymphna, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.

 

– “The slain Dymphna was heavily mourned, respectfully buried, and long remembered in the Geel community, both for her stoic demise and for her generosity in building a hospice. After a long period of being venerated, she was canonized in 1247…” Inspired by Dymphna, Belgium town welcomes mentally ill BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY Our Catholic Faith, especially the stories and impact of the lives of the saints, never ceases to amaze me! Last October, in the place of my weekly column, I introduced the presentation of a “new ministry resource,” a group that was being formed in our diocese called the

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