Devotion to the Sacred Heart will always be central to the life of the Church, writes Fr James Hanvey SJ The image of the Sacred Heart can be found in many of our churches. Once it was a familiar feature of many Catholic homes, as were the prayers and practices that went with it: the…
‘I fell in love with Christ’ to portray Padre Pio, says American star
Gina Christian A film making its US and streaming debut recounts the life of a beloved 20th-century saint – and the movie’s star told OSV News he “fell in love with Christ” to prepare for the part. Actor Shia LaBeouf portrays St Pio of Pietrelcina in the new drama Padre Pio, which premiered at last…
Canada Cathedral and historic church suffer arson attacks three days apart
The archbishop of Grouard-McLennan in Northern Alberta, Canada, says he is saddened but “not overcome” by the loss of a 121-year-old church to arson on May 22. A second church in Alberta, St Mary’s Cathedral, was also the victim of alleged attempted arson three days earlier, as local police seek assistance in identifying a man…
In Short
Eucharistic procession returns to Cork City The annual Eucharistic procession through Cork City is set to return for the first time since 2019, it was announced on May 23. The 97th annual Cork Eucharistic Procession will take place on June 11, beginning at 3pm at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Bishop Fintan…
Diocesan priests deserve support and prayers
Fr John Harris OP As you already know we are in the midst of the year for prayer for vocations to the diocesan clergy. Someone asked me lately if I had a problem with this since I am religious priest. I think it is a wonderful idea and absolutely necessary. A vocation to the…
The Trinity is a family of love and peace
Jem Sullivan June 4, 2023 Trinity Sunday Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9 Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 2 Cor 13:11-13 Jn 3:16-18 Our computers and phones are meant to connect us to the community. However, through the daily traffic of communication in emails, texts, and social media posts, the digital culture in which we…
Preparing for a dearth of priests
Dear Editor, In a report by Jason Osborne [The Irish Catholic – May 11, 2023], Fr Enda Cunningham said that couples preparing for marriage should be made “aware that the Sacrament of Marriage can be celebrated in its own rite, aside from the celebration of the Eucharist”. Fr Conor McDonough OP argued that in certain…
Mexican bishops demand investigation into priest’s murder
The Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM) expressed “consternation and pain” over the May 22 murder of Augustinian Fr Javier García Villafaña and demanded “an exhaustive and transparent investigation”. “We strongly condemn this act of violence that has not only taken a life but also threatens peace and justice in our nation,” the Mexican bishops said. “It’s…
Pope asks Cardinal Zuppi to lead peace mission for Ukraine
Pope Francis has asked Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna to lead a mission “to help ease tensions in the conflict in Ukraine,” the Vatican press office said. The appointment of the cardinal, who is president of the Italian bishops’ conference and a long-time member of the Sant’Egidio Community, was confirmed May 20 by Matteo…
Anti-Catholic vandalism carried out in Mexico
The Diocese of Irapuato in the Mexican state of Guanajuato expressed its “profound consternation” over a fire deliberately set at Santiaguito (St James) Church and called it a “sacrilege”. In a statement published May 15, Fr Efrén Silva Plascencia, spokesman for the diocese, said that the fire “was set on the exterior by a male…