Day: October 1, 2026

Gospel and Word of the Day – 02 October 2026 – A reading from the Book of Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5 The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place For taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, That you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! Then Job answered the LORD and said: Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:1-5, 10 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”According to the tradition of the Church, we all have an angel with us, who watches over us and helps us to sense things. How many times have we heard: “But … this … I should do it this way, this will not do, be careful …”: so many times! And that is the voice of our travelling companion. (…) And when we do not want to heed his advice, to listen to his voice, it is like telling him: “Go away!”. Driving away our travelling companion is perilous, because no man, no woman can advise themselves. I can advise another person, but I cannot advise myself. There is the Holy Spirit who advises me, there is the angel who advises me. That is why we need them. This is not some fanciful doctrine about angels: no, it is reality. What Jesus, what God said was: “I will send an angel before you to watch over you, to accompany you on your journey, so that you do not go astray”. (…) Today, I would ask the question: how is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I say “good morning” to him in the morning? Do I say, “Watch over me while I sleep”? Do I speak with him? Do I ask him for advice? He is by my side. We can answer this question today, each one of us: how is my relationship with this angel that the Lord has sent to watch over me and to accompany me on my journey, and who always sees the face of the Father who is in heaven? (Pope Francis, Homily at Santa Marta, 2 October 2014)  

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A reading from the Book of Job
38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5

The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:

Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning
and shown the dawn its place
For taking hold of the ends of the earth,
till the wicked are shaken from its surface?
The earth is changed as is clay by the seal,
and dyed as though it were a garment;
But from the wicked the light is withheld,
and the arm of pride is shattered.

Have you entered into the sources of the sea,
or walked about in the depths of the abyss?
Have the gates of death been shown to you,
or have you seen the gates of darkness?
Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all:
Which is the way to the dwelling place of light,
and where is the abode of darkness,
That you may take them to their boundaries
and set them on their homeward paths?
You know, because you were born before them,
and the number of your years is great!

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again;
though twice, I will do so no more.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

According to the tradition of the Church, we all have an angel with us, who watches over us and helps us to sense things. How many times have we heard: “But … this … I should do it this way, this will not do, be careful …”: so many times! And that is the voice of our travelling companion. (…) And when we do not want to heed his advice, to listen to his voice, it is like telling him: “Go away!”. Driving away our travelling companion is perilous, because no man, no woman can advise themselves. I can advise another person, but I cannot advise myself. There is the Holy Spirit who advises me, there is the angel who advises me. That is why we need them. This is not some fanciful doctrine about angels: no, it is reality. What Jesus, what God said was: “I will send an angel before you to watch over you, to accompany you on your journey, so that you do not go astray”. (…) Today, I would ask the question: how is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I say “good morning” to him in the morning? Do I say, “Watch over me while I sleep”? Do I speak with him? Do I ask him for advice? He is by my side. We can answer this question today, each one of us: how is my relationship with this angel that the Lord has sent to watch over me and to accompany me on my journey, and who always sees the face of the Father who is in heaven? (Pope Francis, Homily at Santa Marta, 2 October 2014)

 

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Catholic military archdiocese ‘appreciates’ Pentagon’s new religious affairs office – #Catholic – The Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, said it “appreciates” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement of a new Pentagon office dedicated to supporting religious members of the military.Hegseth introduced the Office of Religious Affairs at the Department of Defense (DOD) in his Sept. 30 State of the Force Address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, which was attended by 600 officers and service members.In his speech, Hegseth said the office will report directly to him and to the secretaries who serve after him. He said there will be “no staff filters” and “no bureaucratic dilution” but rather a “direct line to the secretary” for the chaplains.“This wonʼt be a paper-pushing shop,” he said. “It will have real teeth. It will protect budgets, demand infrastructure, and strengthen religious support. The experts, our chaplains, will finally have an advocate at the highest levels. Policy and resources will serve the mission, not smother the mission.”In a statement to EWTN News, the Catholic military archdiocese said it hopes the new office “will enhance and strengthen the support offered to the men, women and their families who serve in the military, and to the chaplain corps who strive to accompany our soldiers, sailors, and airmen across all service branches.” “Placing spiritual readiness alongside other departmental priorities, and shortening the timeline between identified field needs and senior decisions can have the practical effect of resolving legacy constraints that historically limited chaplaincy support,” the statement said. “This Archdiocese appreciates the initiative and welcomes its implementation.”Structural changeHegseth explained the new structure is meant to ensure chaplains do not need to go through secular bureaucracy. The secretary said, under the old system, “we let people with no expertise in faith or religion dictate the spiritual life of our warriors,” and the chaplains “were buried echelons deep, waiting for permission.”“Decisions about faith and religion were made by secular careerists in cubicles and lawyers running around with red tape,” he said.The secretary blamed the previous structure for budget cuts, failures to adequately meet needs for resourcing and manpower, and a lack of support for chapels on bases. He said faith had been treated as “an afterthought” even though only 5% of the military is nonreligious.“Our department therefore has a sacred duty — first-class religious support wherever we send our warriors,” Hegseth said. “… For far too long, you know, we didnʼt prioritize that duty at all.”Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, has supported some of Hegseth’s other reforms of the chaplaincy as well. Broglio celebrated Hegseth’s removal of the official spiritual fitness guide, which the secretary said was “pushing secular humanism” and treating chaplains like “emotional support officers” rather than as chaplains.The archbishop said the change allowed chaplains to focus on spiritual ministry “above and beyond everything else that they might ask the chaplains to do.”Broglio also spoke positively of Hegseth’s decision to change the chaplain insignia on uniforms to reflect the faith role instead of the military rank.“If the decision to eliminate the rank insignia for chaplains so as to favor the insignia indicating religious affiliation contributes to making chaplains more approachable, the archdiocese favors it,” the archbishop said in March.Alternatively, the archdiocese faced problems with the Army in 2025 amid canceled religious contracts, which the DOD ultimately worked to restore.Apart from the chaplaincy, Broglio has criticized some military decisions from President Donald Trump’s administration. In April, he echoed the concerns of Pope Leo XIV, saying it was “hard” to see how the Iran war could be justified under Catholic just war doctrine.The archbishop was also critical of earlier threats to annex Greenland, along with attacks on alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela that killed more than 100 people.
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Catholic military archdiocese ‘appreciates’ Pentagon’s new religious affairs office – #Catholic – The Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, said it “appreciates” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement of a new Pentagon office dedicated to supporting religious members of the military.Hegseth introduced the Office of Religious Affairs at the Department of Defense (DOD) in his Sept. 30 State of the Force Address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, which was attended by 600 officers and service members.In his speech, Hegseth said the office will report directly to him and to the secretaries who serve after him. He said there will be “no staff filters” and “no bureaucratic dilution” but rather a “direct line to the secretary” for the chaplains.“This wonʼt be a paper-pushing shop,” he said. “It will have real teeth. It will protect budgets, demand infrastructure, and strengthen religious support. The experts, our chaplains, will finally have an advocate at the highest levels. Policy and resources will serve the mission, not smother the mission.”In a statement to EWTN News, the Catholic military archdiocese said it hopes the new office “will enhance and strengthen the support offered to the men, women and their families who serve in the military, and to the chaplain corps who strive to accompany our soldiers, sailors, and airmen across all service branches.” “Placing spiritual readiness alongside other departmental priorities, and shortening the timeline between identified field needs and senior decisions can have the practical effect of resolving legacy constraints that historically limited chaplaincy support,” the statement said. “This Archdiocese appreciates the initiative and welcomes its implementation.”Structural changeHegseth explained the new structure is meant to ensure chaplains do not need to go through secular bureaucracy. The secretary said, under the old system, “we let people with no expertise in faith or religion dictate the spiritual life of our warriors,” and the chaplains “were buried echelons deep, waiting for permission.”“Decisions about faith and religion were made by secular careerists in cubicles and lawyers running around with red tape,” he said.The secretary blamed the previous structure for budget cuts, failures to adequately meet needs for resourcing and manpower, and a lack of support for chapels on bases. He said faith had been treated as “an afterthought” even though only 5% of the military is nonreligious.“Our department therefore has a sacred duty — first-class religious support wherever we send our warriors,” Hegseth said. “… For far too long, you know, we didnʼt prioritize that duty at all.”Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, has supported some of Hegseth’s other reforms of the chaplaincy as well. Broglio celebrated Hegseth’s removal of the official spiritual fitness guide, which the secretary said was “pushing secular humanism” and treating chaplains like “emotional support officers” rather than as chaplains.The archbishop said the change allowed chaplains to focus on spiritual ministry “above and beyond everything else that they might ask the chaplains to do.”Broglio also spoke positively of Hegseth’s decision to change the chaplain insignia on uniforms to reflect the faith role instead of the military rank.“If the decision to eliminate the rank insignia for chaplains so as to favor the insignia indicating religious affiliation contributes to making chaplains more approachable, the archdiocese favors it,” the archbishop said in March.Alternatively, the archdiocese faced problems with the Army in 2025 amid canceled religious contracts, which the DOD ultimately worked to restore.Apart from the chaplaincy, Broglio has criticized some military decisions from President Donald Trump’s administration. In April, he echoed the concerns of Pope Leo XIV, saying it was “hard” to see how the Iran war could be justified under Catholic just war doctrine.The archbishop was also critical of earlier threats to annex Greenland, along with attacks on alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela that killed more than 100 people.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the new office is meant to give chaplains a direct line to the secretary, to bypass red tape from the secular bureaucracy.

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Supreme Court to hear case on lawsuit that blocked Marian shrine plan in Kentucky – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a religious liberty case about a local zoning dispute that pitted two residents of a northern Kentucky city against a Catholic chapel that wants to build a Marian shrine.Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Catholic religious association that runs the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Park Hills, Kentucky — just south of Cincinnati, Ohio — faces a lawsuit that seeks to block its construction of a grotto shrine that pays homage to the Marian apparitions in 1858 in Lourdes, France.The city board initially approved the chapel’s request to construct the shrine by granting it a variance from a zoning ordinance that would have typically prevented construction in that location, but two neighbors objected to the shrine and filed a lawsuit.The case went up to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which ruled against the chapel, finding that the city board exceeded its authority when it gave the chapel a variance from the ordinance.Joel and Elizabeth Frederic, the neighbors, expressed concerns about traffic and parking if the shrine were to become a pilgrimage site. The chapel argued the shrine would simply include a statue of Mary inside a grotto, a statue of St. Bernadette — who witnessed the apparitions — and a patio and walkway.The Catholic association that operates the chapel argues that blocking the construction of the shrine would violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which states that zoning laws cannot substantially burden a church’s exercise of religion. This is also the law cited by the city council as its reason for approving the chapel’s variance.“Telling a church it can’t build a modest place for prayer and reflection on its own property is outrageous,” Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO, and chief counsel at the First Liberty Institute, which is providing legal representation to the chapel, said in a statement.“Federal law provides clear protections for how faith-based organizations can use their property to support their mission,” she said. “This is an important case for religious freedom.”Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled. The case could set nationwide precedent for how cities are expected to handle zoning laws that could impose burdens on religious practice.
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Supreme Court to hear case on lawsuit that blocked Marian shrine plan in Kentucky – #Catholic – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a religious liberty case about a local zoning dispute that pitted two residents of a northern Kentucky city against a Catholic chapel that wants to build a Marian shrine.Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Catholic religious association that runs the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Park Hills, Kentucky — just south of Cincinnati, Ohio — faces a lawsuit that seeks to block its construction of a grotto shrine that pays homage to the Marian apparitions in 1858 in Lourdes, France.The city board initially approved the chapel’s request to construct the shrine by granting it a variance from a zoning ordinance that would have typically prevented construction in that location, but two neighbors objected to the shrine and filed a lawsuit.The case went up to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which ruled against the chapel, finding that the city board exceeded its authority when it gave the chapel a variance from the ordinance.Joel and Elizabeth Frederic, the neighbors, expressed concerns about traffic and parking if the shrine were to become a pilgrimage site. The chapel argued the shrine would simply include a statue of Mary inside a grotto, a statue of St. Bernadette — who witnessed the apparitions — and a patio and walkway.The Catholic association that operates the chapel argues that blocking the construction of the shrine would violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which states that zoning laws cannot substantially burden a church’s exercise of religion. This is also the law cited by the city council as its reason for approving the chapel’s variance.“Telling a church it can’t build a modest place for prayer and reflection on its own property is outrageous,” Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO, and chief counsel at the First Liberty Institute, which is providing legal representation to the chapel, said in a statement.“Federal law provides clear protections for how faith-based organizations can use their property to support their mission,” she said. “This is an important case for religious freedom.”Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled. The case could set nationwide precedent for how cities are expected to handle zoning laws that could impose burdens on religious practice.

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Two neighbors objected to the shrine and filed suit. Lawyers for the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist say federal religious liberty protections guarantee their right to construct the shrine.

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Pope Leo XIV honors Harvard scientist whose pursuit of knowledge led her to faith – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV presented the Pius XI Medal to Karin Öberg, a Harvard scientist specializing in astrochemistry, during a recent audience with members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.The award, presented on Sept. 24, recognizes scientists under the age of 45 who have distinguished themselves through their research and show “exceptional promise” in their field. Recipients of this medal include several Nobel laureates and the physicist Stephen Hawking.Öberg holds the Thomas Dudley Cabot Chair in the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and directs the Öberg Astrochemistry Laboratory at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Her work focuses, among other topics, on chemical processes related to planet formation and chemical habitability.But beyond her scientific career, Öberg has spoken publicly about her conversion to Catholicism and how her pursuit of knowledge influenced her journey toward faith.In a 2011 interview with the Augustine Institute, she explained that there were aspects of the world that began to make it difficult for her to accept a strictly materialist worldview.“There were certain facts about the world that made me very skeptical of atheism or pure materialism. I thought it was pretty obvious there is moral realism in this world, that there are things that are good and evil, regardless of what people think about them,” she noted.Reading C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” played an important role in that process. As she explained, the British writer’s proposal seemed reasonable to her.“His explanation of Christianity struck me as very sensible, and it seemed to fit with the data about the world I had already gathered,” she stated.For Öberg, however, intellectually accepting the faith was not the end of the journey. “What took time was the aspect of charity — living out the faith and truly building a relationship with God,” she explained.The scientist has also reflected on the limits and scope of the scientific method when it comes to God. She was clear in that interview: “You can never use the scientific method to prove or disprove God.”In her view, science does allow us to appreciate something she considers especially significant: “how intelligible the universe is, how subject to laws it is.” She added: “This cannot be taken for granted. It is magnificent.”The beauty of the universe also plays an important role in her understanding of the relationship between science and faith. “I am moved. And beauty is, in a sense, just as impressive to me,” she said.For this reason, Öberg said she believes that science and faith need not be presented as opposing paths.The scientist has also spoken openly about being Catholic.“I am very open about the fact that I am Catholic,” she said in the interview. At the same time, she explained that she prefers this openness to foster dialogue rather than lead to imposition.“I try to be open and then invite people to come and talk to me, rather than preaching to them,” she noted.Öberg has also expressed a special affinity for the Dominican tradition and for St. Thomas Aquinas, whom she cited as a particularly important figure for the way he united faith and reason.Her brother, Erik Öberg, an economist specializing in macroeconomics at Uppsala University in Sweden, publicly celebrated the recognition Karin received via his LinkedIn account. “I’m very proud of her,” he stated.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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Pope Leo XIV honors Harvard scientist whose pursuit of knowledge led her to faith – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV presented the Pius XI Medal to Karin Öberg, a Harvard scientist specializing in astrochemistry, during a recent audience with members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.The award, presented on Sept. 24, recognizes scientists under the age of 45 who have distinguished themselves through their research and show “exceptional promise” in their field. Recipients of this medal include several Nobel laureates and the physicist Stephen Hawking.Öberg holds the Thomas Dudley Cabot Chair in the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and directs the Öberg Astrochemistry Laboratory at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Her work focuses, among other topics, on chemical processes related to planet formation and chemical habitability.But beyond her scientific career, Öberg has spoken publicly about her conversion to Catholicism and how her pursuit of knowledge influenced her journey toward faith.In a 2011 interview with the Augustine Institute, she explained that there were aspects of the world that began to make it difficult for her to accept a strictly materialist worldview.“There were certain facts about the world that made me very skeptical of atheism or pure materialism. I thought it was pretty obvious there is moral realism in this world, that there are things that are good and evil, regardless of what people think about them,” she noted.Reading C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” played an important role in that process. As she explained, the British writer’s proposal seemed reasonable to her.“His explanation of Christianity struck me as very sensible, and it seemed to fit with the data about the world I had already gathered,” she stated.For Öberg, however, intellectually accepting the faith was not the end of the journey. “What took time was the aspect of charity — living out the faith and truly building a relationship with God,” she explained.The scientist has also reflected on the limits and scope of the scientific method when it comes to God. She was clear in that interview: “You can never use the scientific method to prove or disprove God.”In her view, science does allow us to appreciate something she considers especially significant: “how intelligible the universe is, how subject to laws it is.” She added: “This cannot be taken for granted. It is magnificent.”The beauty of the universe also plays an important role in her understanding of the relationship between science and faith. “I am moved. And beauty is, in a sense, just as impressive to me,” she said.For this reason, Öberg said she believes that science and faith need not be presented as opposing paths.The scientist has also spoken openly about being Catholic.“I am very open about the fact that I am Catholic,” she said in the interview. At the same time, she explained that she prefers this openness to foster dialogue rather than lead to imposition.“I try to be open and then invite people to come and talk to me, rather than preaching to them,” she noted.Öberg has also expressed a special affinity for the Dominican tradition and for St. Thomas Aquinas, whom she cited as a particularly important figure for the way he united faith and reason.Her brother, Erik Öberg, an economist specializing in macroeconomics at Uppsala University in Sweden, publicly celebrated the recognition Karin received via his LinkedIn account. “I’m very proud of her,” he stated.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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Karin Öberg holds the Thomas Dudley Cabot Chair in the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and directs the Öberg Astrochemistry Laboratory at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

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Beyond The Beacon podcast 119 – The Good News Workshop: Creating better photos with Joe Gigli #Catholic – How can we all create better photos? This week we get to know Joe Gigli, the gifted, long-time photographer for The Beacon and the Diocese of Paterson. Gigli shares how he got into photography, offers insight into how he thinks about creating images, and shares a few tips and tricks. Gigli’s interview kicks off a new podcast segment titled The Good News Workshop. This intermittent segment will feature interviews with experts in different areas of communications, so we can be inspired and educated to be the best communicators and storytellers we can be as we spread the Good News of our faith in our parishes, schools, and throughout the diocese. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney shares his perspective on being photographed, how an image can bring people together, and discusses the power of a beautiful photograph. Co-hosted by Diocesan Communications Director Jai Agnish. Listen or watch the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Beacon photographer Joe Gigli poses for a photograph in his home. (By Jai Agnish)
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Beyond The Beacon podcast 119 – The Good News Workshop: Creating better photos with Joe Gigli #Catholic – How can we all create better photos? This week we get to know Joe Gigli, the gifted, long-time photographer for The Beacon and the Diocese of Paterson. Gigli shares how he got into photography, offers insight into how he thinks about creating images, and shares a few tips and tricks. Gigli’s interview kicks off a new podcast segment titled The Good News Workshop. This intermittent segment will feature interviews with experts in different areas of communications, so we can be inspired and educated to be the best communicators and storytellers we can be as we spread the Good News of our faith in our parishes, schools, and throughout the diocese. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney shares his perspective on being photographed, how an image can bring people together, and discusses the power of a beautiful photograph. Co-hosted by Diocesan Communications Director Jai Agnish. Listen or watch the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Beacon photographer Joe Gigli poses for a photograph in his home. (By Jai Agnish)

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Beyond The Beacon podcast 119 – The Good News Workshop: Creating better photos with Joe Gigli #Catholic –

How can we all create better photos? This week we get to know Joe Gigli, the gifted, long-time photographer for The Beacon and the Diocese of Paterson. Gigli shares how he got into photography, offers insight into how he thinks about creating images, and shares a few tips and tricks.

Gigli’s interview kicks off a new podcast segment titled The Good News Workshop. This intermittent segment will feature interviews with experts in different areas of communications, so we can be inspired and educated to be the best communicators and storytellers we can be as we spread the Good News of our faith in our parishes, schools, and throughout the diocese.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney shares his perspective on being photographed, how an image can bring people together, and discusses the power of a beautiful photograph. Co-hosted by Diocesan Communications Director Jai Agnish.

Listen or watch the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Beacon photographer Joe Gigli poses for a photograph in his home. (By Jai Agnish)

–  How can we all create better photos? This week we get to know Joe Gigli, the gifted, long-time photographer for The Beacon and the Diocese of Paterson. Gigli shares how he got into photography, offers insight into how he thinks about creating images, and shares a few tips and tricks. Gigli’s interview kicks off a new podcast segment titled The Good News Workshop. This intermittent segment will feature interviews with experts in different areas of communications, so we can be inspired and educated to be the best communicators and storytellers we can be as we spread the Good News

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This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October #Catholic Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October is for the mental health ministry.“Melancholy, bad character, confusion of senses — today, we understand that behind these old labels lies a deep, silent suffering not only of those affected by mental disorders but also of their loved ones and their communities,” Pope Leo said in a video released Oct. 1 on X.He added: “We live in a world full of tensions, and even as solutions grow so does the number of people in crisis. This October, let us pray for the mental health ministry — an urgent and ever more needed service in our Church and in the world.”In the full video shared on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website, Pope Leo recites an original prayer written specifically for this month’s prayer intention:“God of life,You know the innermost depths of our hearts — the light and shadows within us,the silent wounds that sometimes no one sees.Today we bring before you our brothers and sisterswho struggle with challenges to their mental health,who suffer in solitude with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness.You call them by name, with tenderness,and in you they find dignity and hope.Forgive us for the times we have looked the other way,feeding the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.May your Church be an open house,a safe space where everyone has a place — a community that accompanies and never excludes,that listens without judging and draws near without fear.We pray to you, Lord, for those who care:professionals, family members, volunteers — men and women who, with patience and love,build bridges of understanding and comfort.Give them strength and compassion to sustain others.Send your Spirit upon us,that we may learn to welcome and integrate care for mental healthinto the life and ministry of our communities and of the whole Church,and thus become a living sign of your mercy,which never abandons and always restores.Amen.”“Pray with the Pope” is accessible on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website and its digital platforms.
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This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October #Catholic Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October is for the mental health ministry.“Melancholy, bad character, confusion of senses — today, we understand that behind these old labels lies a deep, silent suffering not only of those affected by mental disorders but also of their loved ones and their communities,” Pope Leo said in a video released Oct. 1 on X.He added: “We live in a world full of tensions, and even as solutions grow so does the number of people in crisis. This October, let us pray for the mental health ministry — an urgent and ever more needed service in our Church and in the world.”In the full video shared on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website, Pope Leo recites an original prayer written specifically for this month’s prayer intention:“God of life,You know the innermost depths of our hearts — the light and shadows within us,the silent wounds that sometimes no one sees.Today we bring before you our brothers and sisterswho struggle with challenges to their mental health,who suffer in solitude with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness.You call them by name, with tenderness,and in you they find dignity and hope.Forgive us for the times we have looked the other way,feeding the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.May your Church be an open house,a safe space where everyone has a place — a community that accompanies and never excludes,that listens without judging and draws near without fear.We pray to you, Lord, for those who care:professionals, family members, volunteers — men and women who, with patience and love,build bridges of understanding and comfort.Give them strength and compassion to sustain others.Send your Spirit upon us,that we may learn to welcome and integrate care for mental healthinto the life and ministry of our communities and of the whole Church,and thus become a living sign of your mercy,which never abandons and always restores.Amen.”“Pray with the Pope” is accessible on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website and its digital platforms.

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Pope Leo’s prayer intention for the month of October is for the mental health ministry.

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Pope prays the rosary with children: ‘50 million Hail Marys rising to heaven’ #Catholic VATICAN CITY — More than 700 children from schools and parishes in Rome joined Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens on Thursday to pray the rosary for peace in the world.The Oct. 1 event marked the beginning of a week of prayer for the initiative “One Million Children Praying the Rosary,” promoted by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need.The Holy Father greeted the children at the beginning. He thanked them and encouraged them to be good at home, in their families, at school, in catechism classes, and in sports, because peace also grows in this way.“I am truly happy to be with you! And you, children, tell me: Are you happy to have come? Good, that makes me happy too. Above all, because this evening we have gathered together to be with the two people who love us more than anyone else. Who are they? The Lord Jesus and his mother, Mary, who never leave us alone and who are always close to us,” Pope Leo said in his address before the rosary. An estimated more than 700 children join in praying the rosary for peace with Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 1, 2026, in the Vatican Gardens. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool “We love them too, don’t we?” he added. “Shall we tell them? Let’s try. Let us repeat together: ‘I love you, Jesus. I love you, Mary.’ Yes, we love you, Jesus and Mary, and this evening we ask you for a special gift: peace for all the children of the world, especially those who live where there is war, in so many countries across the earth.”“We do this through the prayer of the holy rosary, which is a simple prayer that everyone can pray,” the pope affectionately emphasized to the children.He noted that “in a little while we will light candles, and we will reflect on Jesus in some important moments of his life … These are moments in which he gave us wonderful gifts that we must never forget, and for this we want to thank him.Calling on the children to repeat with him, he said: “Let us do that together as well, once again. Let us all say: ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ And let us ask him with confidence, all united: ‘Give us peace!’”For the pope, the children’s rosary initiative represents “50 million Hail Marys rising to heaven from every corner of the world and in every language on earth, asking for peace, and joining together like one immense rosary garland, embracing and drawing together all the continents, races, and nations of the planet.” Pope Leo XIV brings flowers to Mary at a replica of the grotto of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes during a rosary prayed with children in the Vatican Gardens on Oct. 1, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool Upon his arrival for the rosary, the pope also presented a small bouquet of flowers to Our Lady. It was a simple gesture carried out together with a child at the replica grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens.For the first time this year, the prayer campaign will take place over the course of an entire week, from Oct. 1–7, allowing dioceses, parishes, schools, communities, and families across different continents to participate in the prayer for peace and unity.Similar initiatives are already being prepared in other countries, such as Bolivia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and many other places marked by war, poverty, or instability.The 2026 campaign is inspired by the message of Fátima: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”The rosary was led by the children through readings, songs, and brief reflections on countries affected by war. The Hail Mary was also recited in several languages.In this year’s invitation to participants, Cardinal Kurt Koch, international president of Aid to the Church in Need and prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, recalled that Mary’s Immaculate Heart represents a life completely open to the Holy Spirit and presents Mary as a model of faith, love, and prayer.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope prays the rosary with children: ‘50 million Hail Marys rising to heaven’ #Catholic VATICAN CITY — More than 700 children from schools and parishes in Rome joined Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens on Thursday to pray the rosary for peace in the world.The Oct. 1 event marked the beginning of a week of prayer for the initiative “One Million Children Praying the Rosary,” promoted by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need.The Holy Father greeted the children at the beginning. He thanked them and encouraged them to be good at home, in their families, at school, in catechism classes, and in sports, because peace also grows in this way.“I am truly happy to be with you! And you, children, tell me: Are you happy to have come? Good, that makes me happy too. Above all, because this evening we have gathered together to be with the two people who love us more than anyone else. Who are they? The Lord Jesus and his mother, Mary, who never leave us alone and who are always close to us,” Pope Leo said in his address before the rosary. An estimated more than 700 children join in praying the rosary for peace with Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 1, 2026, in the Vatican Gardens. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool “We love them too, don’t we?” he added. “Shall we tell them? Let’s try. Let us repeat together: ‘I love you, Jesus. I love you, Mary.’ Yes, we love you, Jesus and Mary, and this evening we ask you for a special gift: peace for all the children of the world, especially those who live where there is war, in so many countries across the earth.”“We do this through the prayer of the holy rosary, which is a simple prayer that everyone can pray,” the pope affectionately emphasized to the children.He noted that “in a little while we will light candles, and we will reflect on Jesus in some important moments of his life … These are moments in which he gave us wonderful gifts that we must never forget, and for this we want to thank him.Calling on the children to repeat with him, he said: “Let us do that together as well, once again. Let us all say: ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ And let us ask him with confidence, all united: ‘Give us peace!’”For the pope, the children’s rosary initiative represents “50 million Hail Marys rising to heaven from every corner of the world and in every language on earth, asking for peace, and joining together like one immense rosary garland, embracing and drawing together all the continents, races, and nations of the planet.” Pope Leo XIV brings flowers to Mary at a replica of the grotto of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes during a rosary prayed with children in the Vatican Gardens on Oct. 1, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool Upon his arrival for the rosary, the pope also presented a small bouquet of flowers to Our Lady. It was a simple gesture carried out together with a child at the replica grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens.For the first time this year, the prayer campaign will take place over the course of an entire week, from Oct. 1–7, allowing dioceses, parishes, schools, communities, and families across different continents to participate in the prayer for peace and unity.Similar initiatives are already being prepared in other countries, such as Bolivia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and many other places marked by war, poverty, or instability.The 2026 campaign is inspired by the message of Fátima: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”The rosary was led by the children through readings, songs, and brief reflections on countries affected by war. The Hail Mary was also recited in several languages.In this year’s invitation to participants, Cardinal Kurt Koch, international president of Aid to the Church in Need and prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, recalled that Mary’s Immaculate Heart represents a life completely open to the Holy Spirit and presents Mary as a model of faith, love, and prayer.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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“Let us repeat together: ‘I love you, Jesus. I love you, Mary,’” the pontiff said in his remarks before the rosary in the Vatican Gardens.

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See the Moon occult Jupiter October 6

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Make sure to set your alarm clock early on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 6, so that you won’t miss a rare and spectacular celestial event. The brilliant planet Jupiter and its retinue of Galilean satellites will pass behind the waning Moon, a 20%-illuminated crescent just 4¼ days before New. Astronomers call this phenomenon anContinue reading “See the Moon occult Jupiter October 6”

The post See the Moon occult Jupiter October 6 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Filipino Catholics join to honor San Lorenzo and San Pedro #Catholic – Filipino Catholics from across the Paterson Diocese, N.J., gathered on Sept. 26 at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., for the annual diocesan celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, the first two canonized Filipino saints. Despite stormy weather, the faithful gathered for a joyful and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, giving thanks for the gift of faith and the courageous witness of the two Filipino martyrs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney served as main celebrant. Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Cerilo Javinez, administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J.; Father Vidal Gonzales, pastor of Notre Dame and host of the celebration; Father Lem Camacho, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dover, N.J.; Father Jun Vizcara, chaplain at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.; Father Paul Octubre of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Francis Conde of St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Father Greg Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome; and Father Gabby Paraan, stationed in the Diocese of Helsinki, Finland, as national chaplain for Filipino Migrants. Father Vic Leviste, parochial vicar, St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., and diocesan assistant director of worship, served as master of ceremonies. Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Elmer Maximo of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway and Deacon Jose Rivera of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque, N.J. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney reflected on the witness of faith of San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod and what their example means for Catholics today. Their lives remind the faithful that holiness requires courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and fidelity to Christ, especially in times of difficulty, he said. San Lorenzo Ruiz, a husband and father, remained steadfast in his Catholic faith even in the face of persecution and death. San Pedro Calungsod, a young catechist and missionary, gave his life while helping proclaim the Gospel. The celebration also highlighted the many gifts Filipino Catholics bring to the wider Church — deep devotion to the Eucharist, love for the Blessed Mother and the saints, strong family ties, generous service, and a commitment to passing on the faith to future generations. “Once again, we were blessed with a beautiful and successful celebration of our Filipino Saints,” said Deacon Elmer Maximo, president of the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries. “Despite the less-than-cooperative weather, everyone came together to make the celebration prayerful, joyful, and truly memorable,” he said. Maximo thanked the clergy, volunteers, parishioners, and members of the Filipino community for their time, sacrifices, generosity, and loving service. “The celebration served as a reminder that the best way to honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod is not only to remember their heroic witness, but also to imitate their faithfulness by living the Gospel with courage, joy, and love,” Maximo said. BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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Filipino Catholics join to honor San Lorenzo and San Pedro #Catholic – Filipino Catholics from across the Paterson Diocese, N.J., gathered on Sept. 26 at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., for the annual diocesan celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, the first two canonized Filipino saints. Despite stormy weather, the faithful gathered for a joyful and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, giving thanks for the gift of faith and the courageous witness of the two Filipino martyrs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney served as main celebrant. Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Cerilo Javinez, administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J.; Father Vidal Gonzales, pastor of Notre Dame and host of the celebration; Father Lem Camacho, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dover, N.J.; Father Jun Vizcara, chaplain at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.; Father Paul Octubre of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Francis Conde of St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Father Greg Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome; and Father Gabby Paraan, stationed in the Diocese of Helsinki, Finland, as national chaplain for Filipino Migrants. Father Vic Leviste, parochial vicar, St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., and diocesan assistant director of worship, served as master of ceremonies. Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Elmer Maximo of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway and Deacon Jose Rivera of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque, N.J. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney reflected on the witness of faith of San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod and what their example means for Catholics today. Their lives remind the faithful that holiness requires courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and fidelity to Christ, especially in times of difficulty, he said. San Lorenzo Ruiz, a husband and father, remained steadfast in his Catholic faith even in the face of persecution and death. San Pedro Calungsod, a young catechist and missionary, gave his life while helping proclaim the Gospel. The celebration also highlighted the many gifts Filipino Catholics bring to the wider Church — deep devotion to the Eucharist, love for the Blessed Mother and the saints, strong family ties, generous service, and a commitment to passing on the faith to future generations. “Once again, we were blessed with a beautiful and successful celebration of our Filipino Saints,” said Deacon Elmer Maximo, president of the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries. “Despite the less-than-cooperative weather, everyone came together to make the celebration prayerful, joyful, and truly memorable,” he said. Maximo thanked the clergy, volunteers, parishioners, and members of the Filipino community for their time, sacrifices, generosity, and loving service. “The celebration served as a reminder that the best way to honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod is not only to remember their heroic witness, but also to imitate their faithfulness by living the Gospel with courage, joy, and love,” Maximo said. BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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Filipino Catholics join to honor San Lorenzo and San Pedro #Catholic –

Filipino Catholics from across the Paterson Diocese, N.J., gathered on Sept. 26 at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., for the annual diocesan celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, the first two canonized Filipino saints.

Despite stormy weather, the faithful gathered for a joyful and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, giving thanks for the gift of faith and the courageous witness of the two Filipino martyrs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney served as main celebrant.

Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Cerilo Javinez, administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J.; Father Vidal Gonzales, pastor of Notre Dame and host of the celebration; Father Lem Camacho, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dover, N.J.; Father Jun Vizcara, chaplain at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.; Father Paul Octubre of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Francis Conde of St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J.; Father Greg Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome; and Father Gabby Paraan, stationed in the Diocese of Helsinki, Finland, as national chaplain for Filipino Migrants. Father Vic Leviste, parochial vicar, St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., and diocesan assistant director of worship, served as master of ceremonies.

Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Elmer Maximo of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway and Deacon Jose Rivera of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque, N.J.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney reflected on the witness of faith of San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod and what their example means for Catholics today. Their lives remind the faithful that holiness requires courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and fidelity to Christ, especially in times of difficulty, he said.

San Lorenzo Ruiz, a husband and father, remained steadfast in his Catholic faith even in the face of persecution and death. San Pedro Calungsod, a young catechist and missionary, gave his life while helping proclaim the Gospel.

The celebration also highlighted the many gifts Filipino Catholics bring to the wider Church — deep devotion to the Eucharist, love for the Blessed Mother and the saints, strong family ties, generous service, and a commitment to passing on the faith to future generations.

“Once again, we were blessed with a beautiful and successful celebration of our Filipino Saints,” said Deacon Elmer Maximo, president of the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries. “Despite the less-than-cooperative weather, everyone came together to make the celebration prayerful, joyful, and truly memorable,” he said.

Maximo thanked the clergy, volunteers, parishioners, and members of the Filipino community for their time, sacrifices, generosity, and loving service.

“The celebration served as a reminder that the best way to honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod is not only to remember their heroic witness, but also to imitate their faithfulness by living the Gospel with courage, joy, and love,” Maximo said.

BEACON PHOTOS | MATTHEW GIGLI

 

– Filipino Catholics from across the Paterson Diocese, N.J., gathered on Sept. 26 at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., for the annual diocesan celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, the first two canonized Filipino saints. Despite stormy weather, the faithful gathered for a joyful and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, giving thanks for the gift of faith and the courageous witness of the two Filipino martyrs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney served as main celebrant. Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Cerilo Javinez, administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

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New DePaul principal helps open school year at Mass #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited DePaul Catholic School in Wayne, N.J., on Sept. 26 to celebrate Mass and open the 2026–27 academic year now under way. The bishop also welcomed Stephen D. Trivino, DePaul’s new principal. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were Father Frank Lennie and Father Brian Ditullio, chaplains at DePaul, and Father John Tarantino, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese, DePaul Class of 1968, and a former DePaul staff member. Ted Gaffney, the school’s president, participated in the Mass along with students who served as altar servers, lectors, and music ministers. Mary Baier, diocesan schools superintendent; Filippini Sister Marie Antonelli, principal of Holy Spirit School in Pequannock, N.J.; and students from St. James Academy in Totowa, N.J., also attended the Mass. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org] Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.    
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New DePaul principal helps open school year at Mass #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited DePaul Catholic School in Wayne, N.J., on Sept. 26 to celebrate Mass and open the 2026–27 academic year now under way. The bishop also welcomed Stephen D. Trivino, DePaul’s new principal. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were Father Frank Lennie and Father Brian Ditullio, chaplains at DePaul, and Father John Tarantino, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese, DePaul Class of 1968, and a former DePaul staff member. Ted Gaffney, the school’s president, participated in the Mass along with students who served as altar servers, lectors, and music ministers. Mary Baier, diocesan schools superintendent; Filippini Sister Marie Antonelli, principal of Holy Spirit School in Pequannock, N.J.; and students from St. James Academy in Totowa, N.J., also attended the Mass. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org] Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.    

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New DePaul principal helps open school year at Mass #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited DePaul Catholic School in Wayne, N.J., on Sept. 26 to celebrate Mass and open the 2026–27 academic year now under way. The bishop also welcomed Stephen D. Trivino, DePaul’s new principal.

Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were Father Frank Lennie and Father Brian Ditullio, chaplains at DePaul, and Father John Tarantino, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese, DePaul Class of 1968, and a former DePaul staff member. Ted Gaffney, the school’s president, participated in the Mass along with students who served as altar servers, lectors, and music ministers.

Mary Baier, diocesan schools superintendent; Filippini Sister Marie Antonelli, principal of Holy Spirit School in Pequannock, N.J.; and students from St. James Academy in Totowa, N.J., also attended the Mass.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

 

 

– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited DePaul Catholic School in Wayne, N.J., on Sept. 26 to celebrate Mass and open the 2026–27 academic year now under way. The bishop also welcomed Stephen D. Trivino, DePaul’s new principal. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were Father Frank Lennie and Father Brian Ditullio, chaplains at DePaul, and Father John Tarantino, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese, DePaul Class of 1968, and a former DePaul staff member. Ted Gaffney, the school’s president, participated in the Mass along with students who served as altar servers, lectors, and music ministers. Mary Baier, diocesan schools superintendent;

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Star Trails – This long-duration image shows star trails above Earth and the blue lights of fishing boats and the yellow lights of Indonesian cities stretching below the International Space Station as it orbited 258 miles above the Banda Sea.

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This long-duration image shows star trails above Earth and the blue lights of fishing boats and the yellow lights of Indonesian cities stretching below the International Space Station as it orbited 258 miles above the Banda Sea.

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps Elon Musk for New Pentagon Role Focused on Futuristic Warfare – The world’s richest man, the legend, Elon Musk has returned to the Trump administration. The post Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps Elon Musk for New Pentagon Role Focused on Futuristic Warfare appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps Elon Musk for New Pentagon Role Focused on Futuristic Warfare – The world’s richest man, the legend, Elon Musk has returned to the Trump administration. The post Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps Elon Musk for New Pentagon Role Focused on Futuristic Warfare appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The world’s richest man, the legend, Elon Musk has returned to the Trump administration.

The post Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Taps Elon Musk for New Pentagon Role Focused on Futuristic Warfare appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Texas Man Accused of Plotting Attack on State Capitol Posts ,000 Bond Just Hours After 3 A.M. SWAT Arrest — FBI Then Takes Him Into Federal Custody – A Texas man accused of planning to shoot up the state Capitol was booked before dawn Wednesday and, according to county jail records, walked out on a ,000 bond before most of Austin had finished coffee. The post Texas Man Accused of Plotting Attack on State Capitol Posts ,000 Bond Just Hours After 3 A.M. SWAT Arrest — FBI Then Takes Him Into Federal Custody appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Texas Man Accused of Plotting Attack on State Capitol Posts $75,000 Bond Just Hours After 3 A.M. SWAT Arrest — FBI Then Takes Him Into Federal Custody – A Texas man accused of planning to shoot up the state Capitol was booked before dawn Wednesday and, according to county jail records, walked out on a $75,000 bond before most of Austin had finished coffee. The post Texas Man Accused of Plotting Attack on State Capitol Posts $75,000 Bond Just Hours After 3 A.M. SWAT Arrest — FBI Then Takes Him Into Federal Custody appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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A Texas man accused of planning to shoot up the state Capitol was booked before dawn Wednesday and, according to county jail records, walked out on a $75,000 bond before most of Austin had finished coffee.

The post Texas Man Accused of Plotting Attack on State Capitol Posts $75,000 Bond Just Hours After 3 A.M. SWAT Arrest — FBI Then Takes Him Into Federal Custody appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Halts Remaining Execution for 2026 After Christa Pike Survives TWO Doses of Lethal Injection in Unprecedented Execution Failure — Orders Third-Party Investigation – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has halted the state’s remaining execution for 2026 and ordered an outside investigation after convicted murderer Christa Gail Pike remained alive despite receiving two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital Wednesday night. The post Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Halts Remaining Execution for 2026 After Christa Pike Survives TWO Doses of Lethal Injection in Unprecedented Execution Failure — Orders Third-Party Investigation appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Halts Remaining Execution for 2026 After Christa Pike Survives TWO Doses of Lethal Injection in Unprecedented Execution Failure — Orders Third-Party Investigation – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has halted the state’s remaining execution for 2026 and ordered an outside investigation after convicted murderer Christa Gail Pike remained alive despite receiving two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital Wednesday night. The post Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Halts Remaining Execution for 2026 After Christa Pike Survives TWO Doses of Lethal Injection in Unprecedented Execution Failure — Orders Third-Party Investigation appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has halted the state’s remaining execution for 2026 and ordered an outside investigation after convicted murderer Christa Gail Pike remained alive despite receiving two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital Wednesday night.

The post Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Halts Remaining Execution for 2026 After Christa Pike Survives TWO Doses of Lethal Injection in Unprecedented Execution Failure — Orders Third-Party Investigation appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: October, 2026 #Catholic – 10/1 Thursday, 10 a.m. Finance Council meeting. 10/2 Friday, 10:15 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Sparta; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – Resurrection Parish, Randolph. 10/3 Saturday, 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. The Discalced Carmelites 100th Anniversary of foundation in Morristown – Pilgrimage from St. Paul inside the Walls and St. Thomas More church to the monastery, followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m.; 5 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Succasunna, in celebration of the parish patron saint. 10/4 Sunday, 12:30 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Paterson, in celebration of the parish patron saint; 3 p.m. Confirmation – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Haskell. 10/5 Monday, 7 p.m. Rite of Candidacy for the 2029 Permanent Deacon class – Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover. 10/6 Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. Mass – Academy of St. Elizabeth, Morristown; 7 p.m. St. Paul Parish, Clifton – Talk at parish prayer group. 10/7 Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mass and Rosary – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Pompton Plains. 10/8 Thursday, 9:30 a.m. NJ Mass for Life, Rally, and March – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trenton. 10/10 Saturday, 12 noon Confirmation – Resurrection Parish, Randolph; 5:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Annual Mass – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Morristown. 10/11 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass celebrating el Señor de los Milagros – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 2 p.m. St. Therese Celebration – St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Mountain Lakes. 10/13 Tuesday, 7 p.m. Mass – Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish, Passaic. 10/15 Thursday, 9 a.m. Board of Bishops meeting – Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown; 7 p.m. Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, Madison. 10/17 Saturday Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. 10/18 Sunday, 12 noon World Mission Sunday Mass – St. Paul Parish, Prospect Park; 3 p.m. Vivere Christus – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 10/19 Monday, 11 a.m. Father English Food Pantry blessing. 10/20 Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School, Denville. 10/22 Thursday, 2 p.m. Mass of Installation of Most Rev. Michael A. Saporito – the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield. 10/23 Friday, 10 a.m. Mass – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6:30 p.m. Organ blessing and concert – Christ the King Parish, New Vernon. 10/24 Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Parish Vocation Ministry Workshop – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison. 10/25 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass for the Convivence – Holiday Inn, Piscataway; 12:30 p.m. Mass – Holy Rosary Parish, Passaic; 3:15 p.m. Pro-Life Runners 5K Blessing, Morristown. 10/29 Thursday, 6 p.m. NJCDC 32nd Anniversary Gala – Westmount Country Club, Woodland Park. 10/31 Saturday, 6 p.m. Installation Mass of Fr. Jared Brogan – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton.
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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: October, 2026 #Catholic – 10/1 Thursday, 10 a.m. Finance Council meeting. 10/2 Friday, 10:15 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Sparta; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – Resurrection Parish, Randolph. 10/3 Saturday, 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. The Discalced Carmelites 100th Anniversary of foundation in Morristown – Pilgrimage from St. Paul inside the Walls and St. Thomas More church to the monastery, followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m.; 5 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Succasunna, in celebration of the parish patron saint. 10/4 Sunday, 12:30 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Paterson, in celebration of the parish patron saint; 3 p.m. Confirmation – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Haskell. 10/5 Monday, 7 p.m. Rite of Candidacy for the 2029 Permanent Deacon class – Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover. 10/6 Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. Mass – Academy of St. Elizabeth, Morristown; 7 p.m. St. Paul Parish, Clifton – Talk at parish prayer group. 10/7 Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mass and Rosary – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Pompton Plains. 10/8 Thursday, 9:30 a.m. NJ Mass for Life, Rally, and March – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trenton. 10/10 Saturday, 12 noon Confirmation – Resurrection Parish, Randolph; 5:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Annual Mass – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Morristown. 10/11 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass celebrating el Señor de los Milagros – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 2 p.m. St. Therese Celebration – St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Mountain Lakes. 10/13 Tuesday, 7 p.m. Mass – Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish, Passaic. 10/15 Thursday, 9 a.m. Board of Bishops meeting – Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown; 7 p.m. Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, Madison. 10/17 Saturday Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. 10/18 Sunday, 12 noon World Mission Sunday Mass – St. Paul Parish, Prospect Park; 3 p.m. Vivere Christus – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 10/19 Monday, 11 a.m. Father English Food Pantry blessing. 10/20 Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School, Denville. 10/22 Thursday, 2 p.m. Mass of Installation of Most Rev. Michael A. Saporito – the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield. 10/23 Friday, 10 a.m. Mass – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6:30 p.m. Organ blessing and concert – Christ the King Parish, New Vernon. 10/24 Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Parish Vocation Ministry Workshop – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison. 10/25 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass for the Convivence – Holiday Inn, Piscataway; 12:30 p.m. Mass – Holy Rosary Parish, Passaic; 3:15 p.m. Pro-Life Runners 5K Blessing, Morristown. 10/29 Thursday, 6 p.m. NJCDC 32nd Anniversary Gala – Westmount Country Club, Woodland Park. 10/31 Saturday, 6 p.m. Installation Mass of Fr. Jared Brogan – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton.

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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: October, 2026 #Catholic –

10/1 Thursday, 10 a.m. Finance Council meeting.
10/2 Friday, 10:15 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Sparta; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – Resurrection Parish, Randolph.
10/3 Saturday, 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. The Discalced Carmelites 100th Anniversary of foundation in Morristown – Pilgrimage from St. Paul inside the Walls and St. Thomas More church to the monastery, followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m.; 5 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Succasunna, in celebration of the parish patron saint.
10/4 Sunday, 12:30 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Paterson, in celebration of the parish patron saint; 3 p.m. Confirmation – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Haskell.
10/5 Monday, 7 p.m. Rite of Candidacy for the 2029 Permanent Deacon class – Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover.
10/6 Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. Mass – Academy of St. Elizabeth, Morristown; 7 p.m. St. Paul Parish, Clifton – Talk at parish prayer group.
10/7 Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mass and Rosary – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Pompton Plains.
10/8 Thursday, 9:30 a.m. NJ Mass for Life, Rally, and March – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trenton.
10/10 Saturday, 12 noon Confirmation – Resurrection Parish, Randolph; 5:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Annual Mass – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Morristown.
10/11 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass celebrating el Señor de los Milagros – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 2 p.m. St. Therese Celebration – St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Mountain Lakes.
10/13 Tuesday, 7 p.m. Mass – Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish, Passaic.
10/15 Thursday, 9 a.m. Board of Bishops meeting – Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown; 7 p.m. Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, Madison.
10/17 Saturday Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
10/18 Sunday, 12 noon World Mission Sunday Mass – St. Paul Parish, Prospect Park; 3 p.m. Vivere Christus – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson.
10/19 Monday, 11 a.m. Father English Food Pantry blessing.
10/20 Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School, Denville.
10/22 Thursday, 2 p.m. Mass of Installation of Most Rev. Michael A. Saporito – the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield.
10/23 Friday, 10 a.m. Mass – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6:30 p.m. Organ blessing and concert – Christ the King Parish, New Vernon.
10/24 Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Parish Vocation Ministry Workshop – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison.
10/25 Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass for the Convivence – Holiday Inn, Piscataway; 12:30 p.m. Mass – Holy Rosary Parish, Passaic; 3:15 p.m. Pro-Life Runners 5K Blessing, Morristown.
10/29 Thursday, 6 p.m. NJCDC 32nd Anniversary Gala – Westmount Country Club, Woodland Park.
10/31 Saturday, 6 p.m. Installation Mass of Fr. Jared Brogan – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton.

– 10/1 Thursday, 10 a.m. Finance Council meeting. 10/2 Friday, 10:15 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Sparta; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – Resurrection Parish, Randolph. 10/3 Saturday, 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. The Discalced Carmelites 100th Anniversary of foundation in Morristown – Pilgrimage from St. Paul inside the Walls and St. Thomas More church to the monastery, followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m.; 5 p.m. Mass – St. Therese Parish, Succasunna, in celebration of the parish patron saint. 10/4 Sunday, 12:30 p.m. Mass – St. Therese

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The enduring appeal of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of France’s most beloved saints #Catholic During the First World War, before being proclaimed a saint, devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux became particularly widespread in France. Soldiers carried medals and images of her, and many French Catholics saw her as a spiritual companion and intercessor.The Carmelite nun, patron saint of missions, and the youngest doctor of the Church died at the age of 24 and was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. She was declared the second patron saint of France in 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, by Pope Pius XII.The town of Lisieux, a 90-minute train ride from Paris, is where Thérèse spent her entire religious life. It is the second most visited pilgrimage destination in France, after Lourdes, with over 2 million pilgrims every year.Last year, in Pope Leo XIV’s message on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thérèse’s parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, he called the faithful to “put Jesus at the centre of your families, your activities, and your choices. Help your children discover His boundless love and tenderness, and strive to make them love Him in return as He deserves: this is the great lesson that Louis and Zélie teach us today, and which the Church and the world so urgently need. How could Thérèse have loved Jesus and Mary so much — and then passed on such a beautiful doctrine to us — if she had not learned it from her saintly parents from an early age?”Thérèse lost her mother when she was just 4 years old and endured periods of illness and intense emotional sensitivity as a child. At 14, however, she experienced a moment of spiritual transformation where she received a special grace from God. In France, young children left their shoes by the hearth at Christmas, and parents would fill them with gifts. But her sister Celine didnʼt want Thérèse to grow up, so they continued to place gifts in “baby” Thérèseʼs shoes. As she and Celine climbed the stairs to take off their hats their fatherʼs voice rose from the parlor below. Standing over the shoes, he said: “Thank goodness thatʼs the last time we shall have this kind of thing!” Thérèse froze, and her sister looked at her helplessly, knowing that in a few minutes she would be in tears over what their father had said. But the tantrum never came. A special grace came over Thérèse as Jesus had done what she could not do herself. She swallowed her tears, walked slowly down the stairs, and went over the gifts in the shoes, as if she had never heard a word her father said. In her autobiography, “Story of Soul,” she referred to that Christmas as her “conversion.”From childish to childlikeIn his book “The Way of Trust and Love,” French priest Jacques Philippe explores St. Thérèse of Lisieuxʼs “Little Way” to holiness. He recalls that “through seemingly insignificant events, God can heal us deeply. Sometimes we feel a call from the Lord to step outside ourselves, to take a step forward, to become more mature, more free. There are times in life when we dwell on our immaturity, our complaints, our laments, our dependencies, and then suddenly one day we are given grace, a gift from God, but one that also calls upon our freedom. There is a choice to be made; it is both healing and conversion: freedom must choose to perform an act of courage.”He then later proposes: “Let us then ask God this question: What is the ‘yes’ you are asking of me today? What is the small act of courage and trust you are asking me to do today?”For St. Thérèse, it was about overcoming her emotional sensitivity. For others, it might be learning to control their tongue, be more optimistic, or manage their temper.A ‘Little Way’ for everyoneFrom the very beginning of her life, Thérèse desired to be a saint; still, when she entered the convent, she also thought how inaccessible and unrealizable it was when she compared herself to others.And here, perhaps, is where we can learn one of her most powerful teachings: never lose courage.She goes on: “Instead of being discouraged, I told myself: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults. But I will look for some means of going to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight, a little way that is quite new … It is your arms, Jesus, which are the lift to carry me to heaven, and so there is no need for me to grow up. In fact, just the opposite: I must stay little and become less and less.”But by “little,” Thérèse does not suggest we think of ourselves as of small value; instead, she reminds us of an unchanging truth: We are children of God.As St. John Paul II on his apostolic trip to France in June 1980 recalled: “There is something unique about it, a characteristic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In it, one finds both the confirmation and the renewal of the most fundamental and universal truth. What truth in the Gospel message is more fundamental and universal than this: God is our Father, and we are his children?”And like children who trust, even if thrown into the air, in the safety of returning to their parents' arms, we must trust in the providence of our Father, with a deep knowledge of his unlimited and unconditional love for us: “In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).A missionary without ever leaving homeProclaimed the patron saint of missionaries for her support of the missions through constant prayer and sacrifice despite being a cloistered nun who never left her convent, she said: “My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.”To many, even in the convent, she seemed like an average, ordinary person. Her greatness showed in the constancy of her love for others in the simplest ways. Perhaps some of the missionary work we are called to do today doesn’t necessarily begin externally but within our hearts. As the saint herself wrote: “A word, a kindly smile, will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart.”Thérèse also found strength in Scripture: “But above all it is the Gospels that occupy me during my prayers; in them I find everything that is necessary for my poor little soul. I constantly discover in them new lights, hidden and mysterious meanings.”Her life was characterized by austerity, far from recognition and noise from the world. She died anonymously in 1897 at the young age of 24, and no more than 30 people attended her funeral.This saint’s life and journal is a legacy for all who want to learn a simple and practical approach toward their relationship with God. Her advice is for everyone: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
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The enduring appeal of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of France’s most beloved saints #Catholic During the First World War, before being proclaimed a saint, devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux became particularly widespread in France. Soldiers carried medals and images of her, and many French Catholics saw her as a spiritual companion and intercessor.The Carmelite nun, patron saint of missions, and the youngest doctor of the Church died at the age of 24 and was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. She was declared the second patron saint of France in 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, by Pope Pius XII.The town of Lisieux, a 90-minute train ride from Paris, is where Thérèse spent her entire religious life. It is the second most visited pilgrimage destination in France, after Lourdes, with over 2 million pilgrims every year.Last year, in Pope Leo XIV’s message on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thérèse’s parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, he called the faithful to “put Jesus at the centre of your families, your activities, and your choices. Help your children discover His boundless love and tenderness, and strive to make them love Him in return as He deserves: this is the great lesson that Louis and Zélie teach us today, and which the Church and the world so urgently need. How could Thérèse have loved Jesus and Mary so much — and then passed on such a beautiful doctrine to us — if she had not learned it from her saintly parents from an early age?”Thérèse lost her mother when she was just 4 years old and endured periods of illness and intense emotional sensitivity as a child. At 14, however, she experienced a moment of spiritual transformation where she received a special grace from God. In France, young children left their shoes by the hearth at Christmas, and parents would fill them with gifts. But her sister Celine didnʼt want Thérèse to grow up, so they continued to place gifts in “baby” Thérèseʼs shoes. As she and Celine climbed the stairs to take off their hats their fatherʼs voice rose from the parlor below. Standing over the shoes, he said: “Thank goodness thatʼs the last time we shall have this kind of thing!” Thérèse froze, and her sister looked at her helplessly, knowing that in a few minutes she would be in tears over what their father had said. But the tantrum never came. A special grace came over Thérèse as Jesus had done what she could not do herself. She swallowed her tears, walked slowly down the stairs, and went over the gifts in the shoes, as if she had never heard a word her father said. In her autobiography, “Story of Soul,” she referred to that Christmas as her “conversion.”From childish to childlikeIn his book “The Way of Trust and Love,” French priest Jacques Philippe explores St. Thérèse of Lisieuxʼs “Little Way” to holiness. He recalls that “through seemingly insignificant events, God can heal us deeply. Sometimes we feel a call from the Lord to step outside ourselves, to take a step forward, to become more mature, more free. There are times in life when we dwell on our immaturity, our complaints, our laments, our dependencies, and then suddenly one day we are given grace, a gift from God, but one that also calls upon our freedom. There is a choice to be made; it is both healing and conversion: freedom must choose to perform an act of courage.”He then later proposes: “Let us then ask God this question: What is the ‘yes’ you are asking of me today? What is the small act of courage and trust you are asking me to do today?”For St. Thérèse, it was about overcoming her emotional sensitivity. For others, it might be learning to control their tongue, be more optimistic, or manage their temper.A ‘Little Way’ for everyoneFrom the very beginning of her life, Thérèse desired to be a saint; still, when she entered the convent, she also thought how inaccessible and unrealizable it was when she compared herself to others.And here, perhaps, is where we can learn one of her most powerful teachings: never lose courage.She goes on: “Instead of being discouraged, I told myself: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults. But I will look for some means of going to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight, a little way that is quite new … It is your arms, Jesus, which are the lift to carry me to heaven, and so there is no need for me to grow up. In fact, just the opposite: I must stay little and become less and less.”But by “little,” Thérèse does not suggest we think of ourselves as of small value; instead, she reminds us of an unchanging truth: We are children of God.As St. John Paul II on his apostolic trip to France in June 1980 recalled: “There is something unique about it, a characteristic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In it, one finds both the confirmation and the renewal of the most fundamental and universal truth. What truth in the Gospel message is more fundamental and universal than this: God is our Father, and we are his children?”And like children who trust, even if thrown into the air, in the safety of returning to their parents' arms, we must trust in the providence of our Father, with a deep knowledge of his unlimited and unconditional love for us: “In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).A missionary without ever leaving homeProclaimed the patron saint of missionaries for her support of the missions through constant prayer and sacrifice despite being a cloistered nun who never left her convent, she said: “My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.”To many, even in the convent, she seemed like an average, ordinary person. Her greatness showed in the constancy of her love for others in the simplest ways. Perhaps some of the missionary work we are called to do today doesn’t necessarily begin externally but within our hearts. As the saint herself wrote: “A word, a kindly smile, will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart.”Thérèse also found strength in Scripture: “But above all it is the Gospels that occupy me during my prayers; in them I find everything that is necessary for my poor little soul. I constantly discover in them new lights, hidden and mysterious meanings.”Her life was characterized by austerity, far from recognition and noise from the world. She died anonymously in 1897 at the young age of 24, and no more than 30 people attended her funeral.This saint’s life and journal is a legacy for all who want to learn a simple and practical approach toward their relationship with God. Her advice is for everyone: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”

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The beloved Carmelite nun, patron saint of the missions, and youngest doctor of the Church is celebrated in the universal Church on Oct. 1.

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