All Diocesan Articles

Pope Leo XIV leads the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square on March 4, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News The pope’s catechesis focused on the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium, one of the pillars of Vatican II. VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that the Church cannot be understood solely from a human perspective but rather as the fruit of God’s plan of love for humanity realized in Christ. He also emphasized that this does not imply the spiritual superiority of the Church’s members. “An ideal and pure C...

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Eight hundred years after his death, the remains of St. Francis of Assisi were exhumed and placed on public display in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi for a monthlong veneration, highlighting the Catholic tradition of venerating relics as tangible reminders of holiness. ROME (CNS) -- Eight hundred years after his death, the bones of St. Francis of Assisi have been placed on public display for the first extended public viewing in history, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the hilltop town. Following Pope Leo XIV's approval and blessing...

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Together as One, Through Faith in Action In a world that often feels unsettled, marked by conflict, uncertainty, and voices of division, it would be easy to lose heart. Yet as people of faith, we are called to something deeper: trust. Trust in God’s enduring presence, trust in His Word, and trust that hope remains not only possible, but powerful. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). It is with this spirit of hope that we reflect with grati...

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Sister Thea Bowman. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi Bowman’s ability to see the dignity of each individual, and embrace all gifts and cultures, is an essential message for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. African American Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman’s ability to bridge divides shines as a witness needed today, according to those who knew her, and her cause for canonization may create a pathway for other African Americans on their ways to sainthood. More than three decades after her death, Bowman should be remembered...

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Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, giving the Church in this country a new diplomatic representative at an important moment in its life. The appointment was announced March 7. Archbishop Caccia, 68, succeeds Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who has served in the role since 2016. For many Catholics, the title “apostolic nuncio” may sound unfamiliar, but the role is significant. The nuncio serves as the Holy Father’s personal representative to both the Church and the government of...

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For many Catholics who have experienced the pain of divorce, questions about the Church’s teaching on marriage and the possibility of an annulment can feel overwhelming. An upcoming informational workshop at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portland aims to offer clarity, guidance and hope to those seeking answers.   The workshop, titled “What is an Annulment?”, will take place Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 45 Freestone Avenue, Portland.   Designed especially for divorced Catholics who would like...

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