July 9: 120 Martyrs of China
On July 9 the Church celebrates the feast of the 120 Martyrs of China. Religious persecution has a long history in China, especially persecution of Christians, thousands of whom have died for their faith in the last millennium. On October 1, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonised 120 men, women, …
July 8: Saints Aquila and Priscilla
Saints Aquila and Priscilla were a Jewish couple from Rome who had been exiled to Corinth, and were friends of St. Paul in the first century. They hosted St. Paul on his visit to that city and were probably converted by him. They are mentioned a few times in the New …
Pro-abortion protesters disrupted Mass at Catholic church in Chicago
by Joe Bukuras Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 7, 2022 / 16:00 pm Pro-abortion protesters were quickly escorted out of a Mass last month at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chicago, according to the church’s bulletin. A video of the June 26 protest shows protesters standing up from the pews during …
Missionaries of Charity expelled from Nicaragua
by Walter Sanchez Silva Managua, Nicaragua, Jul 7, 2022 / 15:00 pm The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, which has been in power for 15 years, expelled 18 Missionaries of Charity from the Central American country on July 6. According to the newspaper El Confidencial, the nuns were taken …
U.S. bishops call for change after Highland Park shooting
by Maisy Sullivan Washington D.C., Jul 7, 2022 / 17:00 pm Following the July 4 shooting near Chicago, the U.S. bishops’ conference called for a continued push for change and noted its support for strengthened gun laws. “Over the holiday, yet another community experienced the devastation of a mass shooting, …
When is the right time to seek out Catholic marriage counseling?
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jul 7, 2022 / 06:03 am “Do we need marriage counseling?” If you are asking the question, there’s a good chance that you would benefit from at least a few conversations with a Catholic counselor, says Dr. Greg Popcak, a Catholic and certified psychotherapist. “The …
Four Catholic churches in Wisconsin vandalized with pro-abortion graffiti
by Joe Bukuras Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 6, 2022 / 19:00 pm Four Catholic churches in Wisconsin’s Chippewa county were vandalized in the past week. The churches are Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Notre Dame Catholic Church, and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls, and St. Peter the Apostle …
The Gobsmacking Gratuity of God
I hate asking for help. In my pride I want to keep the appearance of having it all together; asking for help shatters that carefully crafted illusion. It requires me to admit I cannot solve all my problems on my own. It requires that I face my own weaknesses and …
Baptism Without Godparents?
Are godparents necessary for baptism? If so, what are the requirements for godparents, and what does the Church expect of them? During the COVID-19 pandemic, when person-to-person interactions were limited, many infant baptisms were held in private—some with only the parents, the child and the minister. Though preferred, baptismal sponsors …
July 7: St. Pope Benedict XI
Nicholas Boccasini was born at Treviso, Italy, in 1240. Hhe entered the Dominican Order at the age of 14. After 14 years of study, he became lector of theology, an office he filled for several years. In 1296 he was elected Master General of the Order. At this same time …
