CNA—Today marks three months since Pope Leo XIV first appeared on the central balcony of the Vatican basilica after being elected the successor of St. Peter. In that first urbi et orbi message, delivered on May 8, the Holy Father expressed the words that would mark the beginning of his pontificate: “I am an Augustinian,…
We at Catholic Textbook Project mourn the loss of one of America’s and the Church’s great historians, Dr. James Hitchcock, who recently joined his equally influential wife, Helen Hull Hitchcock, in everlasting life. Dr. Hitchcock was one of the earliest supporters of this important apostolate to Catholic schools. He sat down with us some years…
CNA—Ernesto Escaler, a renowned Filipino businessman and the owner of Gourmet Farms Philippines, one of the most iconic restaurant brands in the country, is described as a man of few words but remarkable action. His staff describe him as deeply low-key — someone who avoids attention and prefers not to speak about his philanthropy. But…
CNA—Antonia Raco, a 67-year-old Italian woman long affected by an incurable neurodegenerative illness, was officially introduced to the press on July 25 in Lourdes, where her healing was recognized as the 72nd miracle attributed to the intercession of the Virgin Mary since the apparitions of 1858. “In a moment of great joy, the 72nd miracle…
Book Review: Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is an experience filled with challenges, but as Jolene Brackey beautifully illustrates in Creating Moments of Joy, it is also a journey of wisdom, love, and even unexpected joy. This book is an essential read for caregivers, family members…
On May 30, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SCR 19— introduced by Texas legislators Senator Tan Parker and Representative Caroline Harris Davila. The bill SCR19 approved the placement of a statue honoring “Mother and Child” in the Texas Capitol Complex, where the State Preservation Board will determine the exact location within the complex. Honoring…
CNA—England—The skull of St. Thomas More may be exhumed and preserved to coincide with the 500th anniversary of his historic martyrdom, according to a spokesperson for St. Dunstan’s Church in Canterbury, England, the Anglican church in which the relic reportedly currently rests. Ironically—given the reason for More’s beheading—an opportunity for ecumenical outreach and communication As…
CNA—A reported strike on the only Catholic Church in Gaza killed three people and injured nine others July 17, according to a statement from the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM. Among the injured was the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. Pictures showed damage to the church’s roof and windows. Amid the ongoing war in…
Pope Leo XIV received a phone call Friday from Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, following yesterday’s Israeli army attack on Holy Family Church in Gaza. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the pope received the call at Castel Gandolfo, where he is on vacation. On July 17, the Israeli…
July 3, 2025
At the outbreak of fighting in April 1775, few colonists wanted complete independence from Great Britain. Those who did were thought to be radical. By the middle of the following year, however, sentiments had shifted and many more colonists now favored independence. Then, in August 1775, a royal proclamation from Great Britain declared that the…
CNA—The last three popes — Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV — have on more than one occasion recommended reading Lord of the World, the dystopian science fiction novel written by Robert Hugh Benson in 1907. This apocalyptic novel depicts the consequences of a society that turned its back on God and presents a social critique…
CNA—The cast of the hit series “The Chosen” was recently in Matera, Italy, filming the crucifixion of Jesus, which will be featured in Season 6. Abe Bueno-Jallad, the actor who portrays Big James, or James the Great, shared that he has “never seen the cast so focused.” Unable to talk much about the upcoming season,…
A man I truly admired died last week in the southern California mudslides, the region’s first confirmed victim of the disaster. Live accounts and videos captured the roar and unimaginable force of liquid mud overtaking homes as heavy rains pounded on the freshly denuded, fire-ravaged hillsides surrounding Santa Barbara at the time. The experience must have been terrifying. His wife was
Robert Hugh Benson (1871–1914) was born just outside of London, the youngest son of Mary Sidgwick and Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1883 to his death in 1896. Benson studied at Eton and Trinity College in Cambridge and was ordained to the Anglican priesthood by his father in 1895. Benson decided to…
June 28, 2025
William C. Grimm (“Bill” to friends and “Mr. Grimm” to the many college students who sought his advice and considered him a “second father”) exemplified Catholic fatherhood up to the moment of his death. He passed away on the evening of June 15, his 88th birthday, surrounded by birthday celebration and family, just after prayers.
CNA—For many years in the United States, Catholic dioceses have periodically announced major settlements involving victims of Catholic clergy abuse, with the payouts coming as part of bankruptcy proceedings related to abuse claims. Since 2004, when the Archdiocese of Portland declared bankruptcy, dioceses and archdioceses have used Chapter 11 law to navigate the complex and…
CNA—The Vatican has recognized two miracles attributed to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s intercession that make possible his canonization on Sept. 7. The most recent miracle involved the healing of an American seminarian. Frassati, who died at the age of 24 in 1925, is beloved by many Catholic young people today for his enthusiastic witness to…
VNS—Pope Leo XIV presides at an Ordinary Public Consistory for the Vote on Causes for Canonization, which gave formal approval for the canonizations of eight Blesseds, and set the date for their canonizations. Pope Leo XIV held the first Ordinary Public Consistory of his pontificate on Friday morning, with Cardinals giving their formal approval for…
VNS—On 15 June, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, will witness the beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, a young Congolese member of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a martyr who stood up against corruption. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for…
Not all mentors wear suits. Some wear worn work boots, carry bricks on their shoulders, and lead without ever needing to raise their voice. One of the most influential mentors in my life was Eddie Johnson, a bricklayer’s foreman I worked for right after high school. My time with Eddie and the crew from G…
