Microbrewing and miracles and Mariapolis, oh my!
This week’s stories have covered the gamut of topics: happy stories such as a Catholic priest sharing the Good News via “ale-vangelization” at a local brewery, a possible miraculous healing of a World Youth Day attendee, and a feature on what the Focolare’s Mariapolis retreat entails, but also more serious stories of a Jesuit university’s assets being frozen in Nicaragua, a $3.5 million settlement of an abuse case in Philadelphia and the president of Israel denouncing increasing violence against Christians in the country.
Wish I could share more stories with you in this Showcase, but my deadline looms. Be sure to check us out on social media — @OSVNews on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — to see more of the stories, columns, reviews and faith formation content we provide.
Megan Marley
Digital Editor
Spanish teen says she has regained sight after praying to Our Lady of the Snows
“After Communion I sat on the bench, I started crying a lot because it was the last day of the novena and I wanted to … I asked God very much (for this), and when I opened my eyes, I saw perfectly,” she said.
Long after pope leaves vigil, pilgrims carry his message and energy into the night
After spending the evening with Pope Francis in a solemn time of Eucharistic adoration and listening to his message during the outdoor vigil, the energy continued to vibrate long into the nighttime at Tejo Park in the Portuguese capital.
Lebanese youth who could not afford going to World Youth Day organized their own
“In Lebanon’s crisis, it’s not possible for us to afford to go to Portugal. But here at JMJ, I’m fully, fully happy. It’s an amazing experience,” Abou Mansour told OSV News.
Martyred family’s ‘unprecedented’ beatification prompts theological reflection, pro-life prayers
When the Ulma family is beatified Sept. 10 as martyrs who gave their lives to protect Jews during the Holocaust, it may be the first time the Catholic Church has beatified an entire, specific family together, as well as the first beatification of an unborn child.
Ordinariate Solemn Mass honors Newman’s legacy at national shrine in Washington
“This is the first time the ordinariate’s Divine Worship missal has been used at the National Shrine,” noted James Griffin, executive director of the Philadelphia-based Durandus Institute and Master of Ceremonies for the liturgy.
Congressional incivility escalating, experts warn, but some lawmakers looking for solutions
Relations between congressional Democrats and Republicans are growing increasingly contentious, but possible solutions exist, including the relaunch of a civility and respect caucus, congressional experts and observers told OSV News.
30 years later, ‘Veritatis Splendor’ remains a forceful guide to living a moral life
FAITH FORMATION: Pope St. John Paul II promulgated “Veritatis Splendor” (“The Splendor of the Truth”) on Aug. 6, 1993 — 30 years ago. This encyclical, far from losing relevance with age, seems only to grow in its importance.
Catholic couple alleges state denied them foster parenting chance over religious beliefs
Becket, a Washington-based religious liberty law firm, said it is representing Mike and Kitty Burke, prospective foster and adoptive parents who said they are Catholic and were allegedly denied the ability to participate in the program due to their religious beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and gender.
Catholic agencies say blockade is creating humanitarian crisis in contested region of Caucasus
“We can say there always is a light at the end of the tunnel, but we don’t see. It’s like endless, this tunnel,” said Sargsyan. “And every day it’s getting darker and darker.”
Salvadoran prelate urges justice for the innocent amid country’s crackdown on gangs
Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador also called for the innocent to be released promptly — as human rights groups raise alarms over arbitrary arrests and a lack of due process during a state of emergency implemented to break the control of gangs carrying out crimes such as extortion and forcing people to flee the country.
