Day: July 8, 2026

Gospel and Word of the Day – 09 July 2026 – A reading from the Book of Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9 Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him,  out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the farther they went from me, Sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.From the Gospel according to Matthew 10:7-15 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words– go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”“Preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Mt 10:7). It is the same proclamation with which Jesus began his preaching: the kingdom of God, that is, his lordship of love, has come near; it comes in our midst. And this is not just one piece of news among others, no, but the fundamental reality of life: the closeness of God, the closeness of Jesus. Indeed, if the God of heaven is close, we are not alone on earth, and even in difficulty, we do not lose faith. Here is the first thing to say to people: God is not far away, but rather he is a Father. God is not distant, he is a Father, he knows you and he loves you; he wants to take you by the hand, even when you travel on steep and rugged paths, even when you fall and struggle to get up again and get back on track. He, the Lord, is there with you. Indeed, often in moments when you are at your weakest, you can feel his presence all the more strongly. He knows the path, he is with you, he is your Father! He is my Father! He is our Father! (…) To proclaim that God is near — but how can we do this? In the Gospel, Jesus advises not to say many words, but rather to perform many deeds of love and hope in the name of the Lord. Not saying many words, but performing deeds! “Heal the sick”, says the Lord, “raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay” (Mt 10:8). Here is the heart of proclamation: freely given witness, service. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 18 June 2023)

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A reading from the Book of Hosea
11:1-4, 8e-9

Thus says the LORD:
When Israel was a child I loved him, 
out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
I drew them with human cords,
with bands of love;
I fostered them like one
who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.

My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again;
For I am God and not man,
the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
10:7-15

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words–
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town.”

“Preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Mt 10:7). It is the same proclamation with which Jesus began his preaching: the kingdom of God, that is, his lordship of love, has come near; it comes in our midst. And this is not just one piece of news among others, no, but the fundamental reality of life: the closeness of God, the closeness of Jesus. Indeed, if the God of heaven is close, we are not alone on earth, and even in difficulty, we do not lose faith. Here is the first thing to say to people: God is not far away, but rather he is a Father. God is not distant, he is a Father, he knows you and he loves you; he wants to take you by the hand, even when you travel on steep and rugged paths, even when you fall and struggle to get up again and get back on track. He, the Lord, is there with you. Indeed, often in moments when you are at your weakest, you can feel his presence all the more strongly. He knows the path, he is with you, he is your Father! He is my Father! He is our Father! (…) To proclaim that God is near — but how can we do this? In the Gospel, Jesus advises not to say many words, but rather to perform many deeds of love and hope in the name of the Lord. Not saying many words, but performing deeds! “Heal the sick”, says the Lord, “raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay” (Mt 10:8). Here is the heart of proclamation: freely given witness, service. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 18 June 2023)

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Canonization cause for Mother Angelica’s spiritual mentor, Rhoda Wise, reaches next step #Catholic The canonization cause for Servant of God Rhoda Wise crossed another hurdle after formal documents that outline her life, heroic virtues, and holiness were submitted to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.Wise — who was born in 1888 in Cadiz, Ohio, and died in 1948 in Canton, Ohio — was a laywoman and a mystic who received visions of Jesus Christ and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In 1939, she reported a miraculous healing of her stomach cancer and a wound that doctors told her was incurable.She was raised Protestant but was introduced to Catholicism by religious sisters during her hospital stay, where she developed a strong devotion to the rosary and St. Thérèse.After news of the miracle spread, hundreds of people visited her home weekly, with whom she would pray. Hundreds of those who visited her home both during and after her lifetime reported miraculous, unexplained healings, including EWTN Founder Mother Angelica, who developed a close friendship with Wise after being healed of a stomach ailment.Wise also had a visible stigmata — which resembles the wounds Christ had at the Crucifixion — that appeared on her body from noon until 3 p.m. for two and a half years, from 1942 to 1945.On July 7, Father John Sheridan — liaison between the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and the Rhoda Wise House in Canton, Ohio — announced that the Vatican had received the formal “positio,” which is a collection of documents that details the holiness of her life and makes the case for why Pope Leo XIV should consider her beatification.Valentina Culurgioni, the postulator tasked with preparing the document, gave the paperwork to the dicastery several months ago, but it was first announced by Sheridan during the Diocese of Youngstown’s annual Mass for the cause of beatification of Wise.Following the Mass, Sheridan delivered the news to the faithful gathered by reading a letter he received from Culurgioni.“Testimonies of healings and graces received through the intercession of Rhoda Wise continue to arrive at the shrine, which testify [to] her growing reputation of holiness and signs, and I would like to entrust to all of you two prayer intentions for this year, related to the progress of the cause in the Vatican,” Culurgioni wrote in the letter.“First, that all the experts — historians and theologians — who will be called upon to study and evaluate the ‘positio’ may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit in their valuable and delicate work,” she added. “Second, that among all the reports of graces and healings we receive, suitable cases may be identified for investigation as alleged miracles.”“Do not stop praying to God, asking for the spiritual or material graces you need through the intercession of Rhoda, and continue to share and bear witness to the wonders of his powerful love in your lives,” Culurgioni wrote.Next stepsRyan Schweitzer, assistant director of the Rhoda Wise House and Grotto, told EWTN News that the next step is the dicastery’s review of the “positio,” which includes evaluations by theologians, historians, and Catholic hierarchy. The dicastery will provide its conclusions to the Holy Father, who will determine whether to beatify her and grant her the title “venerable.”He said there’s no real estimate for the timeline of this process but asked Catholics to “continue to pray for Rhoda’s intercession and continue to pray for her beatification.”Schweitzer called the news of this development “exciting.” He said if Leo elevates her status to “venerable,” “that’s a very small group of individuals on their pathway to canonization.” He said that would increase her visibility and “Our Lord can utilize that visibility and knowledge of Rhoda to pray for her intercession.”Rhoda Wise’s legacyThe Rhoda Wise House and Grotto continues to host visitors and frequently receives reports of miraculous healings on a regular basis, now nearly 80 years after her death.According to Schweitzer, hundreds of people still visit Wise’s home weekly, many of whom come “because they’re seeking healing,” whether that be physical, mental, or spiritual. He said many of the visitors come because “they heard that something happened to a friend, some healing” and some visitors return to share stories of their healing.Wise had a strong friendship with Mother Angelica — then Rita Rizzo — when she was just 19 years old, before entering religious life. Schweitzer noted that Rizzo “suffered from a really debilitating stomach ailment,” and her mother took her to see Wise.Rizzo began praying a nine-day novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux with Wise and continued to pray it each day until its conclusion, at which point she was healed of her ailment. Schweitzer said this experience served as “a catalyst to become serious about her spiritual life” and Rizzo became close friends with Wise, who served as a mentor to her.Schweitzer said one of the most important things to know about Wise is that she was “a very humble housewife,” a person who is “not someone who is unreachable” for the average person.“She really reflects troubles that many people today are associated with,” Schweitzer said.
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Canonization cause for Mother Angelica’s spiritual mentor, Rhoda Wise, reaches next step #Catholic The canonization cause for Servant of God Rhoda Wise crossed another hurdle after formal documents that outline her life, heroic virtues, and holiness were submitted to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.Wise — who was born in 1888 in Cadiz, Ohio, and died in 1948 in Canton, Ohio — was a laywoman and a mystic who received visions of Jesus Christ and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In 1939, she reported a miraculous healing of her stomach cancer and a wound that doctors told her was incurable.She was raised Protestant but was introduced to Catholicism by religious sisters during her hospital stay, where she developed a strong devotion to the rosary and St. Thérèse.After news of the miracle spread, hundreds of people visited her home weekly, with whom she would pray. Hundreds of those who visited her home both during and after her lifetime reported miraculous, unexplained healings, including EWTN Founder Mother Angelica, who developed a close friendship with Wise after being healed of a stomach ailment.Wise also had a visible stigmata — which resembles the wounds Christ had at the Crucifixion — that appeared on her body from noon until 3 p.m. for two and a half years, from 1942 to 1945.On July 7, Father John Sheridan — liaison between the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and the Rhoda Wise House in Canton, Ohio — announced that the Vatican had received the formal “positio,” which is a collection of documents that details the holiness of her life and makes the case for why Pope Leo XIV should consider her beatification.Valentina Culurgioni, the postulator tasked with preparing the document, gave the paperwork to the dicastery several months ago, but it was first announced by Sheridan during the Diocese of Youngstown’s annual Mass for the cause of beatification of Wise.Following the Mass, Sheridan delivered the news to the faithful gathered by reading a letter he received from Culurgioni.“Testimonies of healings and graces received through the intercession of Rhoda Wise continue to arrive at the shrine, which testify [to] her growing reputation of holiness and signs, and I would like to entrust to all of you two prayer intentions for this year, related to the progress of the cause in the Vatican,” Culurgioni wrote in the letter.“First, that all the experts — historians and theologians — who will be called upon to study and evaluate the ‘positio’ may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit in their valuable and delicate work,” she added. “Second, that among all the reports of graces and healings we receive, suitable cases may be identified for investigation as alleged miracles.”“Do not stop praying to God, asking for the spiritual or material graces you need through the intercession of Rhoda, and continue to share and bear witness to the wonders of his powerful love in your lives,” Culurgioni wrote.Next stepsRyan Schweitzer, assistant director of the Rhoda Wise House and Grotto, told EWTN News that the next step is the dicastery’s review of the “positio,” which includes evaluations by theologians, historians, and Catholic hierarchy. The dicastery will provide its conclusions to the Holy Father, who will determine whether to beatify her and grant her the title “venerable.”He said there’s no real estimate for the timeline of this process but asked Catholics to “continue to pray for Rhoda’s intercession and continue to pray for her beatification.”Schweitzer called the news of this development “exciting.” He said if Leo elevates her status to “venerable,” “that’s a very small group of individuals on their pathway to canonization.” He said that would increase her visibility and “Our Lord can utilize that visibility and knowledge of Rhoda to pray for her intercession.”Rhoda Wise’s legacyThe Rhoda Wise House and Grotto continues to host visitors and frequently receives reports of miraculous healings on a regular basis, now nearly 80 years after her death.According to Schweitzer, hundreds of people still visit Wise’s home weekly, many of whom come “because they’re seeking healing,” whether that be physical, mental, or spiritual. He said many of the visitors come because “they heard that something happened to a friend, some healing” and some visitors return to share stories of their healing.Wise had a strong friendship with Mother Angelica — then Rita Rizzo — when she was just 19 years old, before entering religious life. Schweitzer noted that Rizzo “suffered from a really debilitating stomach ailment,” and her mother took her to see Wise.Rizzo began praying a nine-day novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux with Wise and continued to pray it each day until its conclusion, at which point she was healed of her ailment. Schweitzer said this experience served as “a catalyst to become serious about her spiritual life” and Rizzo became close friends with Wise, who served as a mentor to her.Schweitzer said one of the most important things to know about Wise is that she was “a very humble housewife,” a person who is “not someone who is unreachable” for the average person.“She really reflects troubles that many people today are associated with,” Schweitzer said.

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A positio for Servant of God Rhoda Wise was submitted to the Vatican. She has been associated with hundreds of unexplained, miraculous healings in the United States.

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Earthquake survivor in Venezuela: ‘The Miraculous Medal saved me’ #Catholic In Playa Grande, a neighborhood in the city of La Guaira, Venezuela, Kamar Galíndez was on the top floor of Chipi’s Beach Hotel, preparing to start his daily workout in the gym, unaware that his life was about to change forever.It was Wednesday, June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist and a national holiday commemorating the anniversary of the decisive Battle of Carabobo. At 6:05 p.m., the peaceful atmosphere created by the stunning ocean view from the top of the hotel was shattered by the thunderous violence of two consecutive earthquakes that took everyone by surprise, sowing anguish and confusion.Speaking with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Galíndez, a 53-year-old lawyer, recalled how the heavy gym machines began moving from one side to the other, much like an air hockey puck. Disaster struck within seconds.“The floor split, and immediately I saw half the building tilting forward while the section I was in collapsed straight down; I felt my feet were no longer standing on anything, and the next thing [I knew], I was trapped in the rubble,” he recounted. Remains of Chipi’s Beach Hotel in Playa Grande, from which Kamar Galíndez managed to come out alive. | Credit: Andrés Henríquez/EWTN News Faced with imminent death: ‘Lord, have mercy!’Galíndez recounted that the only thing he managed to do was to seek protection beside a nearby wall. As he felt the building collapsing, what came to his mind was the image of the Lord Jesus as he first appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska on Feb. 22, 1931.“I remember thinking of the merciful Christ and praying, ‘Lord, have mercy,’” he said, on the verge of tears. “The next thing was feeling the building collapse because with that violent shaking, I kept saying, ‘It’s going to fall,’ and of course, it did.”Galíndez never lost consciousness. He said he felt every blow but that “amid the shock and fear, physical sensations become secondary.” Once the confusion of the collapse subsided, he realized he was alive, though his body was completely buried in the rubble and pinned by a massive beam crushing his chest.He couldn’t breathe properly. His head had not been buried, and through that immense mountain of twisted metal, bricks, and earth, he could see the sky, still lit by the last rays of the evening sun. All around, the desperate screams of other people trapped in the rubble could be heard.Galíndez wiped his face and tried to move to free himself. Then he realized his left arm was broken: “A lot of desperation, a lot of fear” is what he recalled feeling, yet amid the suffering, he didn’t hesitate to entrust himself to God’s protection.“Then I prayed to stay calm. What I did was to pray a lot: ‘OK, Father God, help me get out of here. Keep me calm’ was the first thing I prayed. ‘Keep me calm and tell me what I need to do,’” he recounted.He signaled for help as best he could. He said he has no idea how long he was underneath the rubble, but he knows it “felt like an eternity.” Finally, a man who had climbed the mountain of debris helped him break free.‘The Miraculous Medal saved me’Galíndez made his way down the remains of the collapsed building on his own. Upon realizing the magnitude of the tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives in a split second, he is positive that emerging virtually unharmed was a miracle, one he attributes to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, to whom he has always been devoted.“I was wearing a small chain with a crucifix and a tiny medal of the Miraculous Virgin. Among the things I lost track of, the chain broke, though, of course, I hadnʼt noticed it at the time,” he recalled.On his way to his home, which was also completely destroyed, a couple of young people helped Galíndez with first aid. While they were tending to him, he became aware of one of those small miracles that holds profound meaning for someone with sincere faith.He asked the young people to help him put his watch into one of the pockets of his shorts, as he needed to remove it to hold his fractured arm still. And then, the inexplicable happened.“I was wearing shorts with a small zippered pocket, and when I looked — don’t ask me where from, don’t ask me how — a piece of the chain and the Miraculous Medal were caught inside.”"Of course, I told the boy: ‘Please, put that little medal away for me too, because that was what saved me,’” he said. “I havenʼt the slightest doubt.”“Absolutely, absolutely,” he replied when asked if he truly believes his life is a miracle obtained through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. The Miraculous Medal that Kamar Galíndez wore around his neck, which broke during the collapse and later appeared — inexplicably — in the pocket of his shorts. | Credit: Andrés Henríquez/EWTN News Many people didn’t make it out of what was left of the hotel. For Galíndez, having survived is the work of the mercy of God, who listened to his pleas in every instant and granted him his request for a reason he still does not know.“In the greatest adversity, you begin to see it in terms of what is most basic, because the most basic thing becomes impossible. When the most basic thing is impossible and you manage to do it anyway, you say: ‘Only God can do that,’” he reflected.“There is a God who looks after you in that moment, attending to what you are asking of him and what you need. From freeing up an arm or reminding you of his presence by leaving a small medal hanging from your [shorts],” he said. He then emphasized what he considers most important following his harrowing experience: "I have the greatest gift God [my dear] Father gave me, which is life.”Galíndez said he feels deeply grateful to be alive. For him, what happened serves as a humbling reminder that what we have comes from the will and mercy of God, who does not abandon his people; who does not abandon Venezuelans, especially during times of greatest suffering.At the time of publication, the official death toll in Venezuela from the double earthquake has risen to 3,535, while the number of injured has reached 16,740. Estimates by independent organizations indicate that tens of thousands of people are still missing.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Earthquake survivor in Venezuela: ‘The Miraculous Medal saved me’ #Catholic In Playa Grande, a neighborhood in the city of La Guaira, Venezuela, Kamar Galíndez was on the top floor of Chipi’s Beach Hotel, preparing to start his daily workout in the gym, unaware that his life was about to change forever.It was Wednesday, June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist and a national holiday commemorating the anniversary of the decisive Battle of Carabobo. At 6:05 p.m., the peaceful atmosphere created by the stunning ocean view from the top of the hotel was shattered by the thunderous violence of two consecutive earthquakes that took everyone by surprise, sowing anguish and confusion.Speaking with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Galíndez, a 53-year-old lawyer, recalled how the heavy gym machines began moving from one side to the other, much like an air hockey puck. Disaster struck within seconds.“The floor split, and immediately I saw half the building tilting forward while the section I was in collapsed straight down; I felt my feet were no longer standing on anything, and the next thing [I knew], I was trapped in the rubble,” he recounted. Remains of Chipi’s Beach Hotel in Playa Grande, from which Kamar Galíndez managed to come out alive. | Credit: Andrés Henríquez/EWTN News Faced with imminent death: ‘Lord, have mercy!’Galíndez recounted that the only thing he managed to do was to seek protection beside a nearby wall. As he felt the building collapsing, what came to his mind was the image of the Lord Jesus as he first appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska on Feb. 22, 1931.“I remember thinking of the merciful Christ and praying, ‘Lord, have mercy,’” he said, on the verge of tears. “The next thing was feeling the building collapse because with that violent shaking, I kept saying, ‘It’s going to fall,’ and of course, it did.”Galíndez never lost consciousness. He said he felt every blow but that “amid the shock and fear, physical sensations become secondary.” Once the confusion of the collapse subsided, he realized he was alive, though his body was completely buried in the rubble and pinned by a massive beam crushing his chest.He couldn’t breathe properly. His head had not been buried, and through that immense mountain of twisted metal, bricks, and earth, he could see the sky, still lit by the last rays of the evening sun. All around, the desperate screams of other people trapped in the rubble could be heard.Galíndez wiped his face and tried to move to free himself. Then he realized his left arm was broken: “A lot of desperation, a lot of fear” is what he recalled feeling, yet amid the suffering, he didn’t hesitate to entrust himself to God’s protection.“Then I prayed to stay calm. What I did was to pray a lot: ‘OK, Father God, help me get out of here. Keep me calm’ was the first thing I prayed. ‘Keep me calm and tell me what I need to do,’” he recounted.He signaled for help as best he could. He said he has no idea how long he was underneath the rubble, but he knows it “felt like an eternity.” Finally, a man who had climbed the mountain of debris helped him break free.‘The Miraculous Medal saved me’Galíndez made his way down the remains of the collapsed building on his own. Upon realizing the magnitude of the tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives in a split second, he is positive that emerging virtually unharmed was a miracle, one he attributes to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, to whom he has always been devoted.“I was wearing a small chain with a crucifix and a tiny medal of the Miraculous Virgin. Among the things I lost track of, the chain broke, though, of course, I hadnʼt noticed it at the time,” he recalled.On his way to his home, which was also completely destroyed, a couple of young people helped Galíndez with first aid. While they were tending to him, he became aware of one of those small miracles that holds profound meaning for someone with sincere faith.He asked the young people to help him put his watch into one of the pockets of his shorts, as he needed to remove it to hold his fractured arm still. And then, the inexplicable happened.“I was wearing shorts with a small zippered pocket, and when I looked — don’t ask me where from, don’t ask me how — a piece of the chain and the Miraculous Medal were caught inside.”"Of course, I told the boy: ‘Please, put that little medal away for me too, because that was what saved me,’” he said. “I havenʼt the slightest doubt.”“Absolutely, absolutely,” he replied when asked if he truly believes his life is a miracle obtained through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. The Miraculous Medal that Kamar Galíndez wore around his neck, which broke during the collapse and later appeared — inexplicably — in the pocket of his shorts. | Credit: Andrés Henríquez/EWTN News Many people didn’t make it out of what was left of the hotel. For Galíndez, having survived is the work of the mercy of God, who listened to his pleas in every instant and granted him his request for a reason he still does not know.“In the greatest adversity, you begin to see it in terms of what is most basic, because the most basic thing becomes impossible. When the most basic thing is impossible and you manage to do it anyway, you say: ‘Only God can do that,’” he reflected.“There is a God who looks after you in that moment, attending to what you are asking of him and what you need. From freeing up an arm or reminding you of his presence by leaving a small medal hanging from your [shorts],” he said. He then emphasized what he considers most important following his harrowing experience: "I have the greatest gift God [my dear] Father gave me, which is life.”Galíndez said he feels deeply grateful to be alive. For him, what happened serves as a humbling reminder that what we have comes from the will and mercy of God, who does not abandon his people; who does not abandon Venezuelans, especially during times of greatest suffering.At the time of publication, the official death toll in Venezuela from the double earthquake has risen to 3,535, while the number of injured has reached 16,740. Estimates by independent organizations indicate that tens of thousands of people are still missing.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Kamar Galíndez credits his survival to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Miraculous Medal he wore was torn from his neck as the building collapsed and inexplicably ended up in one of his zippered pockets.

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Faithful proclaim right to life in Morristown July Fourth #Catholic - Catholics from the Paterson Diocese and beyond gathered with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on the morning of July 4, Independence Day, to promote an unborn child’s inalienable right to life for his Monthly Mass and Procession for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. Participants joined their fellow U.S. citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which establishes everyone’s unalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Small American flags lined the sides of the main aisle in St. Margaret Church during the 8 p.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, which marked the start of the monthly event. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before the procession, Bishop Sweeney celebrated Mass at St. Margaret’s. Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor of St. Margaret’s, concelebrated, and Deacon Tim Holden assisted. Afterward, the faithful walked in a rosary procession down Speedwell Avenue to Planned Parenthood, where they prayed for an end to abortion. Many carried pro-life signs. They then returned to St. Margaret’s and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney holds the event on the first Saturday of each month starting at 8 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. All are welcome. BEACON PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Faithful proclaim right to life in Morristown July Fourth #Catholic – Catholics from the Paterson Diocese and beyond gathered with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on the morning of July 4, Independence Day, to promote an unborn child’s inalienable right to life for his Monthly Mass and Procession for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. Participants joined their fellow U.S. citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which establishes everyone’s unalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Small American flags lined the sides of the main aisle in St. Margaret Church during the 8 p.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, which marked the start of the monthly event. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before the procession, Bishop Sweeney celebrated Mass at St. Margaret’s. Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor of St. Margaret’s, concelebrated, and Deacon Tim Holden assisted. Afterward, the faithful walked in a rosary procession down Speedwell Avenue to Planned Parenthood, where they prayed for an end to abortion. Many carried pro-life signs. They then returned to St. Margaret’s and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney holds the event on the first Saturday of each month starting at 8 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. All are welcome. BEACON PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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Faithful proclaim right to life in Morristown July Fourth #Catholic –

Catholics from the Paterson Diocese and beyond gathered with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on the morning of July 4, Independence Day, to promote an unborn child’s inalienable right to life for his Monthly Mass and Procession for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J.

Participants joined their fellow U.S. citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which establishes everyone’s unalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Small American flags lined the sides of the main aisle in St. Margaret Church during the 8 p.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, which marked the start of the monthly event.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Before the procession, Bishop Sweeney celebrated Mass at St. Margaret’s. Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor of St. Margaret’s, concelebrated, and Deacon Tim Holden assisted.

Afterward, the faithful walked in a rosary procession down Speedwell Avenue to Planned Parenthood, where they prayed for an end to abortion. Many carried pro-life signs. They then returned to St. Margaret’s and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney holds the event on the first Saturday of each month starting at 8 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. All are welcome.

BEACON PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ

– Catholics from the Paterson Diocese and beyond gathered with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on the morning of July 4, Independence Day, to promote an unborn child’s inalienable right to life for his Monthly Mass and Procession for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. Participants joined their fellow U.S. citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which establishes everyone’s unalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Small American flags lined the sides of the main aisle in St. Margaret Church during the 8 p.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, which marked

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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Catherine Marie McCaffrey #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate in the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Catherine Marie McCaffrey, who died on July 4 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. She was 71. Sister McCaffrey served the Sisters of Christian Charity for 35 years. Born Marilyn Josephine McCaffrey in 1954 in Norristown, Penn., she was the second of five children of William and Marilyn (Flad) McCaffrey. She graduated from Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School and earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Penn. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before entering religious life, Sister McCaffrey worked at Prudential Insurance Company as an enrollment clerk and at Aetna Life Insurance Company as a senior claims technician. Although drawn to religious life during grade school, Sister McCaffrey did not seriously consider it until her 20s. She discovered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham while reading Guide to Religious Ministries and began her journey to the religious community. Sister McCaffrey entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1990 and was invested in 1991, receiving the religious name Sister Catherine Marie. She professed her first vows in 1993 and final vows in 1999. Sister McCaffrey earned an associate’s degree from Assumption College for Sisters, then located in Mendham, in 1994 and a certificate in theological studies in 1995. For 30 years, Sister McCaffery ministered at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Penn., in several departments, concluding her career as a scheduling services specialist. She was also involved in the local church in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Penn. She served on Cursillo teams, taught high-school religious education, assisted with parish youth groups, sang in a parish choir, and ministered to widows. Within the Holy Spirit Hospital Convent, Sister McCaffrey was the house treasurer and insurance coordinator. As her health declined, she moved to the motherhouse in Mendham in 2026, where she continued her life of prayer and faithful presence until her death. Sister McCaffrey is survived by her Sisters of Christian Charity and her siblings and their spouses: William McCaffrey, Jr., Claire and Joseph Beatty, Lois and Duane Jessup, and Bruce and Valli McCaffrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cherished friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister-in-law, Susan McCaffrey; and her niece, Catherine Marie Jessup. Visitation for Sister McCaffrey will be held in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse in Mendham on Thursday, July 9, beginning at 1 p.m. with vespers at 4:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. will be livestreamed at sccus.org. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds. Please make memorial donations in Sister McCaffrey’s name to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.
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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Catherine Marie McCaffrey #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate in the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Catherine Marie McCaffrey, who died on July 4 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. She was 71. Sister McCaffrey served the Sisters of Christian Charity for 35 years. Born Marilyn Josephine McCaffrey in 1954 in Norristown, Penn., she was the second of five children of William and Marilyn (Flad) McCaffrey. She graduated from Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School and earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Penn. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Before entering religious life, Sister McCaffrey worked at Prudential Insurance Company as an enrollment clerk and at Aetna Life Insurance Company as a senior claims technician. Although drawn to religious life during grade school, Sister McCaffrey did not seriously consider it until her 20s. She discovered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham while reading Guide to Religious Ministries and began her journey to the religious community. Sister McCaffrey entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1990 and was invested in 1991, receiving the religious name Sister Catherine Marie. She professed her first vows in 1993 and final vows in 1999. Sister McCaffrey earned an associate’s degree from Assumption College for Sisters, then located in Mendham, in 1994 and a certificate in theological studies in 1995. For 30 years, Sister McCaffery ministered at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Penn., in several departments, concluding her career as a scheduling services specialist. She was also involved in the local church in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Penn. She served on Cursillo teams, taught high-school religious education, assisted with parish youth groups, sang in a parish choir, and ministered to widows. Within the Holy Spirit Hospital Convent, Sister McCaffrey was the house treasurer and insurance coordinator. As her health declined, she moved to the motherhouse in Mendham in 2026, where she continued her life of prayer and faithful presence until her death. Sister McCaffrey is survived by her Sisters of Christian Charity and her siblings and their spouses: William McCaffrey, Jr., Claire and Joseph Beatty, Lois and Duane Jessup, and Bruce and Valli McCaffrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cherished friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister-in-law, Susan McCaffrey; and her niece, Catherine Marie Jessup. Visitation for Sister McCaffrey will be held in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse in Mendham on Thursday, July 9, beginning at 1 p.m. with vespers at 4:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. will be livestreamed at sccus.org. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds. Please make memorial donations in Sister McCaffrey’s name to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.

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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Catherine Marie McCaffrey #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate in the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Catherine Marie McCaffrey, who died on July 4 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. She was 71.

Sister McCaffrey served the Sisters of Christian Charity for 35 years.

Born Marilyn Josephine McCaffrey in 1954 in Norristown, Penn., she was the second of five children of William and Marilyn (Flad) McCaffrey. She graduated from Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School and earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Penn.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Before entering religious life, Sister McCaffrey worked at Prudential Insurance Company as an enrollment clerk and at Aetna Life Insurance Company as a senior claims technician.

Although drawn to religious life during grade school, Sister McCaffrey did not seriously consider it until her 20s. She discovered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham while reading Guide to Religious Ministries and began her journey to the religious community.

Sister McCaffrey entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1990 and was invested in 1991, receiving the religious name Sister Catherine Marie. She professed her first vows in 1993 and final vows in 1999.

Sister McCaffrey earned an associate’s degree from Assumption College for Sisters, then located in Mendham, in 1994 and a certificate in theological studies in 1995.

For 30 years, Sister McCaffery ministered at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Penn., in several departments, concluding her career as a scheduling services specialist.

She was also involved in the local church in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Penn. She served on Cursillo teams, taught high-school religious education, assisted with parish youth groups, sang in a parish choir, and ministered to widows.

Within the Holy Spirit Hospital Convent, Sister McCaffrey was the house treasurer and insurance coordinator. As her health declined, she moved to the motherhouse in Mendham in 2026, where she continued her life of prayer and faithful presence until her death.

Sister McCaffrey is survived by her Sisters of Christian Charity and her siblings and their spouses: William McCaffrey, Jr., Claire and Joseph Beatty, Lois and Duane Jessup, and Bruce and Valli McCaffrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cherished friends.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister-in-law, Susan McCaffrey; and her niece, Catherine Marie Jessup.

Visitation for Sister McCaffrey will be held in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse in Mendham on Thursday, July 9, beginning at 1 p.m. with vespers at 4:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. will be livestreamed at sccus.org.

Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds.

Please make memorial donations in Sister McCaffrey’s name to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.

– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate in the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Catherine Marie McCaffrey, who died on July 4 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. She was 71. Sister McCaffrey served the Sisters of Christian Charity for 35 years. Born Marilyn Josephine McCaffrey in 1954 in Norristown, Penn., she was the second of five children of William and Marilyn (Flad) McCaffrey. She graduated from Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School and earned an associate’s degree from Montgomery

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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Gracemary Shalvey, 95 #Catholic – A Christian Burial was held on June 26 in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Gracemary Shalvey, who died on June 20 at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. She was 95. Born Marion Grace Shalvey on June 14, 1931, in Philadelphia, Penn., she was the eldest of three children of John and Marion (Hanson) Shalvey. She attended Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School, where she first encountered the Sisters of Christian Charity. After graduation, Sister Shalvey worked for Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company, advancing to secretary to the vice president. During this time, her call to religious life deepened, and in 1951 she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham. Invested as a Sister in 1952, she received the name Sister Gracemary. She professed her first vows in 1954 and her final vows in 1960. She continued her education at Seton Hall College in South Orange, N.J.; Mallinckrodt College in Wilmette, Ill.; and Assumption Junior College, then in Mendham. Sister Shalvey began her ministry teaching first grade at St. Nicholas School in Jersey City, N.J., and St. John the Baptist School in Pottsville, Penn. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sister Shalvey then devoted more than 60 years to the ministry of housekeeping and hospitality, serving at the motherhouse and Villa Pauline in Mendham; St. Ann’s Academy in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.; and Holy Family Convent in Danville, Penn. In 1978, Sister Shalvey was called to the Sisters of Christian Charity Generalate in Rome, Italy, where she assisted with housekeeping during the General Chapter. A member of the Executive Housekeepers’ Association, Sister Shalvey frequently participated in the community’s Homemakers’ Workshops. Yet her service extended far beyond her assigned duties. These included cutting hair, caring for elderly sisters, and assisting funeral directors in preparing the sisters’ bodies for burial. In 2018, Sister Shalvey moved with the community to the new motherhouse in Mendham, where she continued her ministry of prayer and presence until her death. Sister Shalvey is survived by her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity, as well as family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Barbara Ann Shalvey; and her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Daniel Connerton. Interment for Sister Shalvey followed her Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of the Motherhouse. Please make memorial donations in Sister Gracemary Shalvey’s memory to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.
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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Gracemary Shalvey, 95 #Catholic – A Christian Burial was held on June 26 in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Gracemary Shalvey, who died on June 20 at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. She was 95. Born Marion Grace Shalvey on June 14, 1931, in Philadelphia, Penn., she was the eldest of three children of John and Marion (Hanson) Shalvey. She attended Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School, where she first encountered the Sisters of Christian Charity. After graduation, Sister Shalvey worked for Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company, advancing to secretary to the vice president. During this time, her call to religious life deepened, and in 1951 she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham. Invested as a Sister in 1952, she received the name Sister Gracemary. She professed her first vows in 1954 and her final vows in 1960. She continued her education at Seton Hall College in South Orange, N.J.; Mallinckrodt College in Wilmette, Ill.; and Assumption Junior College, then in Mendham. Sister Shalvey began her ministry teaching first grade at St. Nicholas School in Jersey City, N.J., and St. John the Baptist School in Pottsville, Penn. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sister Shalvey then devoted more than 60 years to the ministry of housekeeping and hospitality, serving at the motherhouse and Villa Pauline in Mendham; St. Ann’s Academy in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.; and Holy Family Convent in Danville, Penn. In 1978, Sister Shalvey was called to the Sisters of Christian Charity Generalate in Rome, Italy, where she assisted with housekeeping during the General Chapter. A member of the Executive Housekeepers’ Association, Sister Shalvey frequently participated in the community’s Homemakers’ Workshops. Yet her service extended far beyond her assigned duties. These included cutting hair, caring for elderly sisters, and assisting funeral directors in preparing the sisters’ bodies for burial. In 2018, Sister Shalvey moved with the community to the new motherhouse in Mendham, where she continued her ministry of prayer and presence until her death. Sister Shalvey is survived by her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity, as well as family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Barbara Ann Shalvey; and her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Daniel Connerton. Interment for Sister Shalvey followed her Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of the Motherhouse. Please make memorial donations in Sister Gracemary Shalvey’s memory to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.

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Obituary: Sister of Christian Charity Gracemary Shalvey, 95 #Catholic –

A Christian Burial was held on June 26 in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Gracemary Shalvey, who died on June 20 at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. She was 95.

Born Marion Grace Shalvey on June 14, 1931, in Philadelphia, Penn., she was the eldest of three children of John and Marion (Hanson) Shalvey. She attended Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School, where she first encountered the Sisters of Christian Charity.

After graduation, Sister Shalvey worked for Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company, advancing to secretary to the vice president. During this time, her call to religious life deepened, and in 1951 she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham.

Invested as a Sister in 1952, she received the name Sister Gracemary. She professed her first vows in 1954 and her final vows in 1960. She continued her education at Seton Hall College in South Orange, N.J.; Mallinckrodt College in Wilmette, Ill.; and Assumption Junior College, then in Mendham.

Sister Shalvey began her ministry teaching first grade at St. Nicholas School in Jersey City, N.J., and St. John the Baptist School in Pottsville, Penn.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Sister Shalvey then devoted more than 60 years to the ministry of housekeeping and hospitality, serving at the motherhouse and Villa Pauline in Mendham; St. Ann’s Academy in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.; and Holy Family Convent in Danville, Penn.

In 1978, Sister Shalvey was called to the Sisters of Christian Charity Generalate in Rome, Italy, where she assisted with housekeeping during the General Chapter.

A member of the Executive Housekeepers’ Association, Sister Shalvey frequently participated in the community’s Homemakers’ Workshops. Yet her service extended far beyond her assigned duties. These included cutting hair, caring for elderly sisters, and assisting funeral directors in preparing the sisters’ bodies for burial.

In 2018, Sister Shalvey moved with the community to the new motherhouse in Mendham, where she continued her ministry of prayer and presence until her death.

Sister Shalvey is survived by her Sisters in the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity, as well as family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Barbara Ann Shalvey; and her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Daniel Connerton.

Interment for Sister Shalvey followed her Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of the Motherhouse.

Please make memorial donations in Sister Gracemary Shalvey’s memory to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Rd., Mendham, N.J. 07945, or at sccus.org.

– A Christian Burial was held on June 26 in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Gracemary Shalvey, who died on June 20 at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. She was 95. Born Marion Grace Shalvey on June 14, 1931, in Philadelphia, Penn., she was the eldest of three children of John and Marion (Hanson) Shalvey. She attended Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School, where she first encountered the Sisters of Christian Charity. After graduation, Sister Shalvey worked for Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company,

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After SSPX excommunications, Oslo bishop offers wider Latin Mass access – #Catholic – One of the first concrete diocesan responses in Europe to the fallout from the recent Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) excommunications has come from Norway.Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo has moved to reassure Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass while warning of the grave ecclesial consequences of the society’s latest schismatic act.In a letter issued after the illicit episcopal consecrations, Hansen said the four bishops along with their two consecrating bishops “removed themselves from ecclesial communion and from unity with the pope” by taking part in the consecrations without a papal mandate, thereby incurring “the most grave ecclesiastical penalty: ‘latae sententiae’ excommunication.”The Norwegian prelate then expressed willingness to expand access to the traditional liturgy within the Diocese of Oslo for Catholics who may now find themselves disoriented by the SSPX crisis.Keeping the old Mass within the ChurchHansen turned directly to Catholics in his diocese who have attended SSPX chapels because of their attachment to the preconciliar liturgy and spirituality. Acknowledging that “these are difficult and distressing days for you,” he urged them first of all to “hold fast to unity with our Holy Father, the bishop of Rome, and with me as bishop of Oslo.”Rather than simply warning the faithful away from the SSPX, Hansen paired his appeal with a concrete pastoral offer. He pointed out that Mass according to the 1962 Missal is already celebrated every Sunday at St. Joseph Church in Oslo and added that “if there is a need for it, and if it would be for the good of the Church and of souls, I will also expand this form of Mass celebration in our local Church.”This makes Norway one of the first places in Europe where a diocesan bishop has responded to the SSPX crisis not only by reaffirming Rome’s judgment but also by signaling greater provision for Catholics attached to the older liturgy within full communion with the Church.Hansen also urged Catholics to pray rosaries for Church unity while reminding the laity to “refrain from participating in Masses and other activities run by the Society of St. Pius X.”A wider Scandinavian responseIn neighboring Denmark, speaking to CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News, Bishop Czesław Kozon of Copenhagen strongly condemned the SSPX consecrations, calling them “tragic and completely pointless.”“It also shows that this is about more than just the old Mass,” Kozon said. “People who previously praised the magisterium, emphasized obedience, and promoted the unity of the Church are suddenly doing something like this, which is a clear sign of disobedience and harms the unity of the Church.”At the same time, Kozon defended continued space for the traditional liturgy within the Church. Having recently celebrated a pontifical Mass in the traditional rite, he said the older form “should be preserved as long as there are believers who love it and feel connected to it.”Kozon also cautioned against framing the old and new rites as rivals. “There shouldn’t be any competition between the two forms of Mass,” he said, noting instead a pastoral approach that allows room for Catholics attached to the traditional liturgy while affirming the postconciliar liturgy as the Church’s ordinary form.
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After SSPX excommunications, Oslo bishop offers wider Latin Mass access – #Catholic – One of the first concrete diocesan responses in Europe to the fallout from the recent Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) excommunications has come from Norway.Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo has moved to reassure Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass while warning of the grave ecclesial consequences of the society’s latest schismatic act.In a letter issued after the illicit episcopal consecrations, Hansen said the four bishops along with their two consecrating bishops “removed themselves from ecclesial communion and from unity with the pope” by taking part in the consecrations without a papal mandate, thereby incurring “the most grave ecclesiastical penalty: ‘latae sententiae’ excommunication.”The Norwegian prelate then expressed willingness to expand access to the traditional liturgy within the Diocese of Oslo for Catholics who may now find themselves disoriented by the SSPX crisis.Keeping the old Mass within the ChurchHansen turned directly to Catholics in his diocese who have attended SSPX chapels because of their attachment to the preconciliar liturgy and spirituality. Acknowledging that “these are difficult and distressing days for you,” he urged them first of all to “hold fast to unity with our Holy Father, the bishop of Rome, and with me as bishop of Oslo.”Rather than simply warning the faithful away from the SSPX, Hansen paired his appeal with a concrete pastoral offer. He pointed out that Mass according to the 1962 Missal is already celebrated every Sunday at St. Joseph Church in Oslo and added that “if there is a need for it, and if it would be for the good of the Church and of souls, I will also expand this form of Mass celebration in our local Church.”This makes Norway one of the first places in Europe where a diocesan bishop has responded to the SSPX crisis not only by reaffirming Rome’s judgment but also by signaling greater provision for Catholics attached to the older liturgy within full communion with the Church.Hansen also urged Catholics to pray rosaries for Church unity while reminding the laity to “refrain from participating in Masses and other activities run by the Society of St. Pius X.”A wider Scandinavian responseIn neighboring Denmark, speaking to CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News, Bishop Czesław Kozon of Copenhagen strongly condemned the SSPX consecrations, calling them “tragic and completely pointless.”“It also shows that this is about more than just the old Mass,” Kozon said. “People who previously praised the magisterium, emphasized obedience, and promoted the unity of the Church are suddenly doing something like this, which is a clear sign of disobedience and harms the unity of the Church.”At the same time, Kozon defended continued space for the traditional liturgy within the Church. Having recently celebrated a pontifical Mass in the traditional rite, he said the older form “should be preserved as long as there are believers who love it and feel connected to it.”Kozon also cautioned against framing the old and new rites as rivals. “There shouldn’t be any competition between the two forms of Mass,” he said, noting instead a pastoral approach that allows room for Catholics attached to the traditional liturgy while affirming the postconciliar liturgy as the Church’s ordinary form.

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The bishops of Oslo and Copenhagen have condemned the Society of St. Pius X consecrations as schism while pledging to protect the traditional liturgy within the Church.

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Pope Leo XIV tells UN: Confront AI misuse to promote human dignity – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV, drawing on his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, has again called for dialogue on artificial intelligence (AI) while acknowledging the serious concerns that remain.His remarks were delivered in a July 8 message sent through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the participants in the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The annual summit is the primary platform for AI at the United Nations (U.N.), taking place this year from July 7–10.In the message, the pontiff assured participants of the Holy See’s continued openness to dialogue with secular organizations on AI.The letter, in explaining the aims of Magnifica Humanitas, stated that the pope had written this document as a result of conversations on AI with scientists, political leaders, and parents.The letter also explained that the encyclical was born out of persistent concerns over AI misuse.Magnifica Humanitas “was also impelled by troubling accounts of the potential misuses of algorithms and by the loss of human agency in critical areas,” the message stated.The AI for Good Global Summit is an annual U.N. conference on artificial intelligence gathering academics, civil leaders, and industry leaders to discuss how to safely govern AI systems while maximizing its positive impact on humanity.The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the U.N. in Geneva has also participated in the summit, publishing a statement on the need to increase human oversight over AI autonomous systems.
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Pope Leo XIV tells UN: Confront AI misuse to promote human dignity – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV, drawing on his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, has again called for dialogue on artificial intelligence (AI) while acknowledging the serious concerns that remain.His remarks were delivered in a July 8 message sent through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the participants in the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The annual summit is the primary platform for AI at the United Nations (U.N.), taking place this year from July 7–10.In the message, the pontiff assured participants of the Holy See’s continued openness to dialogue with secular organizations on AI.The letter, in explaining the aims of Magnifica Humanitas, stated that the pope had written this document as a result of conversations on AI with scientists, political leaders, and parents.The letter also explained that the encyclical was born out of persistent concerns over AI misuse.Magnifica Humanitas “was also impelled by troubling accounts of the potential misuses of algorithms and by the loss of human agency in critical areas,” the message stated.The AI for Good Global Summit is an annual U.N. conference on artificial intelligence gathering academics, civil leaders, and industry leaders to discuss how to safely govern AI systems while maximizing its positive impact on humanity.The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the U.N. in Geneva has also participated in the summit, publishing a statement on the need to increase human oversight over AI autonomous systems.

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The pontiff sent a letter on July 8 to be read at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Picture of the day A 1981 Ribbon schematic of the 3D structure of the protein triose phosphate isomerase by Jane Richardson. Today is voice actress Tajja Isen’s birthday. She voiced Betty Barrett aka the titular hero in the 2004 Canadian animated series Atomic Betty #ImageOfTheDay
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Picture of the day A 1981 Ribbon schematic of the 3D structure of the protein triose phosphate isomerase by Jane Richardson. Today is voice actress Tajja Isen’s birthday. She voiced Betty Barrett aka the titular hero in the 2004 Canadian animated series Atomic Betty #ImageOfTheDay

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Picture of the day
A 1981 Ribbon schematic of the 3D structure of the protein triose phosphate isomerase by Jane Richardson. Today is voice actress Tajja Isen’s birthday. She voiced Betty Barrett aka the titular hero in the 2004 Canadian animated series Atomic Betty
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Diocese of Oslo to open canonization cause for Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset – #Catholic – Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo, Norway, has announced that he will open a canonization cause for Sigrid Undset, setting one of Scandinaviaʼs most celebrated literary figures on the path toward possible sainthood and giving the Catholic Church in Norway a prolific native candidate for holiness.Hansen made the announcement during Mass on the island of Selja, off the west coast of Norway, on July 8. As pilgrims gathered on Selja to celebrate the feast of St. Sunniva — 100 years after Undset herself first visited the island — Hansen presented her not simply as a Nobel laureate or one of Norwayʼs greatest writers but as a Catholic convert whose life of faith, suffering, intellectual depth, and moral seriousness still speaks powerfully to the Church in a secular age. Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo processes during the annual St. Sunniva pilgrimage on the island of Selja, Norway, on July 8, 2026. | Credit: Marta Wade/katolsk.no The move is a notable one for Norwayʼs small Catholic minority. Undset, a literary giant of Scandinavian and Norwegian culture, lived a life of literary brilliance, personal turbulence reminiscent of St. Augustine, and opposition to totalitarianism — all while remaining an uncompromising witness to Catholicism.Opening of her causeHansen framed Undset first and foremost not as a literary icon but as a model of Christian holiness. “She is far more than an author and Nobel Prize laureate,” he said. “For us, she is a model of Christian faith, of a life lived in virtue, and of the pursuit of holiness.”Hansen situated the decision within the Churchʼs broader teaching that holiness is the calling of every Christian, stressing that sanctity is not reserved to a select few. In Undset, he suggested, the Catholic Church in Norway has a concrete example of that calling lived out in public life, suffering, motherhood, and conversion.He pointed to several aspects of her witness: her defense of the Catholic faith, her opposition to Nazism and her work for Norwayʼs freedom during the war, and her “constant and practical concern for the poor.” He also highlighted her care for her disabled daughter, which he described as part of her “commitment to life and to the sanctity of life.”Undsetʼs books, Hansen added, have shaped generations of believers, inspiring them to live in Christ and keeping alive the witness of Norwayʼs medieval saints.Observers have noted that Undsetʼs early life does not fit a conventional image of sanctity. Her path was marked by personal turmoil, public controversy, and choices that drew social scandal. Yet supporters of the cause point precisely to that complexity as part of her witness.She did not lead a life of moral perfection from the outset. Rather, she walked a path of gradual conversion, repentance, and a growing commitment to Catholicism. In that sense her story reflects the conviction that holiness is not the absence of weakness or mistakes but the work of Godʼs grace in a life, transforming it over time in the pursuit of holiness.Undsetʼs storyBorn in Denmark in 1882 and raised in Norway by largely atheist parents, Undset went to work as a secretary at 16 after her father died and the family fell into financial hardship. She began writing during these years.At 25 she made her literary debut with “Fru Marta Oulie,” a novel about adultery whose opening line — “I have been unfaithful to my husband” — scandalized Norway even as it thrust her into the public eye.Literary historians have noted that her life was unconventional for a woman of her time. Undset smoked, drank, swore, and was known for a sharp tongue and a strong personality.While in Rome, she began a relationship with the painter Anders Castus Svarstad while he was still married, and later married him. Together they had three children, one of whom was disabled, and Undset also helped raise Svarstadʼs children from his first marriage.In 1924, at the age of 42, Undset entered the Catholic Church, a decision that was controversial in overwhelmingly Lutheran Norway. Critics saw it as a step backward, but she embraced the faith publicly, later becoming a Lay Dominican and writing openly about her conversion in essays and fiction. Some Norwegian critics dismissed her later works as “Catholic propaganda,” reflecting unease that one of the countryʼs most prominent writers had embraced Catholicism.She also admired G.K. Chesterton; she reportedly met him and translated some of his work into Norwegian.Four years after her conversion, in 1928, she won the Nobel Prize in literature, recognized for her depictions of medieval Scandinavia and best known for “Kristin Lavransdatter,” the historical trilogy that secured her international reputation. The novels were steeped in medieval Christianity and its themes of sin, grace, suffering, and repentance — concerns that increasingly mirrored her own spiritual journey.Undset used her writing and her standing as one of Scandinaviaʼs most prominent Catholic voices to defend Christian belief and to challenge the ideological currents reshaping Europe. An early critic of Adolf Hitler and Nazism, she fled Nazi-occupied Norway during the Second World War and eventually reached the United States, where she spoke out against totalitarianism and in defense of her homeland.An inspiring figure for Norwayʼs Catholic futureHansenʼs decision also comes as the Catholic Church in Norway continues to grow through immigration and adult conversions, even as it seeks deeper roots in the countryʼs own history. If the cause advances, Undset could emerge not merely as a celebrated novelist under ecclesial study but as a singular model of holiness for the modern age: flawed, formidable, intellectually serious, and ultimately transformed by grace into a witness to Christ.The diocesan phase of Undsetʼs cause is expected to formally open this fall, a step Hansen said is driven by his conviction that her witness reaches far beyond Norwayʼs literary history. “I believe that Sigrid Undsetʼs life and work have much to offer both the Church in Norway and the universal Church,” he said — a judgment that now places Undset on the long path toward possible sainthood.
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Diocese of Oslo to open canonization cause for Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset – #Catholic – Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo, Norway, has announced that he will open a canonization cause for Sigrid Undset, setting one of Scandinaviaʼs most celebrated literary figures on the path toward possible sainthood and giving the Catholic Church in Norway a prolific native candidate for holiness.Hansen made the announcement during Mass on the island of Selja, off the west coast of Norway, on July 8. As pilgrims gathered on Selja to celebrate the feast of St. Sunniva — 100 years after Undset herself first visited the island — Hansen presented her not simply as a Nobel laureate or one of Norwayʼs greatest writers but as a Catholic convert whose life of faith, suffering, intellectual depth, and moral seriousness still speaks powerfully to the Church in a secular age. Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo processes during the annual St. Sunniva pilgrimage on the island of Selja, Norway, on July 8, 2026. | Credit: Marta Wade/katolsk.no The move is a notable one for Norwayʼs small Catholic minority. Undset, a literary giant of Scandinavian and Norwegian culture, lived a life of literary brilliance, personal turbulence reminiscent of St. Augustine, and opposition to totalitarianism — all while remaining an uncompromising witness to Catholicism.Opening of her causeHansen framed Undset first and foremost not as a literary icon but as a model of Christian holiness. “She is far more than an author and Nobel Prize laureate,” he said. “For us, she is a model of Christian faith, of a life lived in virtue, and of the pursuit of holiness.”Hansen situated the decision within the Churchʼs broader teaching that holiness is the calling of every Christian, stressing that sanctity is not reserved to a select few. In Undset, he suggested, the Catholic Church in Norway has a concrete example of that calling lived out in public life, suffering, motherhood, and conversion.He pointed to several aspects of her witness: her defense of the Catholic faith, her opposition to Nazism and her work for Norwayʼs freedom during the war, and her “constant and practical concern for the poor.” He also highlighted her care for her disabled daughter, which he described as part of her “commitment to life and to the sanctity of life.”Undsetʼs books, Hansen added, have shaped generations of believers, inspiring them to live in Christ and keeping alive the witness of Norwayʼs medieval saints.Observers have noted that Undsetʼs early life does not fit a conventional image of sanctity. Her path was marked by personal turmoil, public controversy, and choices that drew social scandal. Yet supporters of the cause point precisely to that complexity as part of her witness.She did not lead a life of moral perfection from the outset. Rather, she walked a path of gradual conversion, repentance, and a growing commitment to Catholicism. In that sense her story reflects the conviction that holiness is not the absence of weakness or mistakes but the work of Godʼs grace in a life, transforming it over time in the pursuit of holiness.Undsetʼs storyBorn in Denmark in 1882 and raised in Norway by largely atheist parents, Undset went to work as a secretary at 16 after her father died and the family fell into financial hardship. She began writing during these years.At 25 she made her literary debut with “Fru Marta Oulie,” a novel about adultery whose opening line — “I have been unfaithful to my husband” — scandalized Norway even as it thrust her into the public eye.Literary historians have noted that her life was unconventional for a woman of her time. Undset smoked, drank, swore, and was known for a sharp tongue and a strong personality.While in Rome, she began a relationship with the painter Anders Castus Svarstad while he was still married, and later married him. Together they had three children, one of whom was disabled, and Undset also helped raise Svarstadʼs children from his first marriage.In 1924, at the age of 42, Undset entered the Catholic Church, a decision that was controversial in overwhelmingly Lutheran Norway. Critics saw it as a step backward, but she embraced the faith publicly, later becoming a Lay Dominican and writing openly about her conversion in essays and fiction. Some Norwegian critics dismissed her later works as “Catholic propaganda,” reflecting unease that one of the countryʼs most prominent writers had embraced Catholicism.She also admired G.K. Chesterton; she reportedly met him and translated some of his work into Norwegian.Four years after her conversion, in 1928, she won the Nobel Prize in literature, recognized for her depictions of medieval Scandinavia and best known for “Kristin Lavransdatter,” the historical trilogy that secured her international reputation. The novels were steeped in medieval Christianity and its themes of sin, grace, suffering, and repentance — concerns that increasingly mirrored her own spiritual journey.Undset used her writing and her standing as one of Scandinaviaʼs most prominent Catholic voices to defend Christian belief and to challenge the ideological currents reshaping Europe. An early critic of Adolf Hitler and Nazism, she fled Nazi-occupied Norway during the Second World War and eventually reached the United States, where she spoke out against totalitarianism and in defense of her homeland.An inspiring figure for Norwayʼs Catholic futureHansenʼs decision also comes as the Catholic Church in Norway continues to grow through immigration and adult conversions, even as it seeks deeper roots in the countryʼs own history. If the cause advances, Undset could emerge not merely as a celebrated novelist under ecclesial study but as a singular model of holiness for the modern age: flawed, formidable, intellectually serious, and ultimately transformed by grace into a witness to Christ.The diocesan phase of Undsetʼs cause is expected to formally open this fall, a step Hansen said is driven by his conviction that her witness reaches far beyond Norwayʼs literary history. “I believe that Sigrid Undsetʼs life and work have much to offer both the Church in Norway and the universal Church,” he said — a judgment that now places Undset on the long path toward possible sainthood.

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Announced during the feast of St. Sunniva on the island of Selja, the cause for the celebrated novelist and Catholic convert is expected to open its diocesan phase this fall.

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The Sky Today on Wednesday, July 8: Asteroid Melpomene at opposition

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  July 7: The Moon, Saturn, and Neptune Asteroid 18 Melpomene reaches opposition at 4 P.M. EDT. Now visible all night long, the 9th-magnitude main-belt world is located in southeastern Aquila, near the Eagle’s border with Scutum.  To track the asteroid for yourself,Continue reading “The Sky Today on Wednesday, July 8: Asteroid Melpomene at opposition”

The post The Sky Today on Wednesday, July 8: Asteroid Melpomene at opposition appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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