Hi there!
As I reflect on this past week’s news, I’m reminded that each story is more than just a headline to passively consume — it’s a call to lift our hearts to God.
Whether a tragedy that stirs our compassion, a moment of hope to rejoice in, a scandal that wounds the Body of Christ, or a challenge that reminds us of the power of grace and our need to cooperate with it, let’s bring these situations into our daily prayers. By uniting our prayers with the news, we transform the way we read — turning it into an opportunity to intercede, praise God and grow in faith.
Below you’ll find a selection of OSV News stories from this week. Read even more on our website osvnews.com and on social media @OSVNews.
Megan Marley
Digital Editor
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Priest: Chinese Catholics ‘rooted’ in their faith, serious about relaying it to their children
Father Augustine Tsang pointed to the paradox of practicing the faith in an “atheistic and political environment” that has remained constant. “Restriction actually makes believers more enthusiastic to appreciate and practice their faith. It also galvanizes the faithful to take initiative and spread the faith, not to rely heavily on priests and nuns,” he said.
Prayers, power grid repairs follow Ernesto hitting Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
Prayers and power grid repairs are underway in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as Hurricane Ernesto roared through the Caribbean. Ernesto struck Puerto Rico late Aug. 13 as a tropical storm, then strengthened into a hurricane the following day as it moved toward Bermuda.
Pilgrims flock to rainy Lourdes to celebrate feast of the Assumption at Marian shrine
If there is one place in the world where it’s worth spending the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption at least once in a lifetime, it’s the Marian shrine of Lourdes. The national pilgrimage to Lourdes is currently underway — Aug. 12 to 16, attracting a record number of pilgrims.
‘They’re receiving the Lord in us’: Hospitality a hidden buttress of Eucharistic pilgrimage
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL: Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan State Trail — a paved rail-trail popular with hikers, cyclists and, in the winter, snowmobilers — runs behind the McCarthys’ house in the woods along Leech Lake’s Kabekona Bay. When the family heard the pilgrims would literally go through their backyard on that route’s first long public procession, they jumped at the chance to extend hospitality.
Catholic death metal band gives authentic message of hope amid suffering to ‘deathcore’ music scene
Band co-founders Conner Luttig and Jacob Kanczler are at ease with engaging with non-Christian, or even hostile, voices. Behind the stereotypically “brutal” metal aesthetic they curate on stage, the pair effuse a winsome hospitality that invites curious questions and frequently overflows into real-life friendships.
Chicago group hopes landmark designation by city will save historic Catholic church
St. Adalbert Church, built by Polish immigrants in 1874, has deep significance for generations of parishioners. It was closed in 2019 by the Chicago Archdiocese as part of a consolidation of Catholic churches in the neighborhood. Julie Sawicki, president of the Society of St. Adalbert, has fought for the society to purchase the property. She is among parishioners around the country have been working hard in recent years to try to save their churches — many of them historic buildings — as dioceses close and merge parishes amid changing demographics, dwindling Mass attendance, a clergy shortage and ongoing financial challenges.
Hungarian church remains tight-lipped over fate of Russian Orthodox cleric
Hungarian Catholics have reacted warily to the suspension of a top Russian Orthodox prelate in Europe, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Budapest and Hungary, who faces demotion and disgrace amid accusations of sexual and financial misconduct.
Peru: Vatican expels founder of controversial lay movement accused of abuse
Luis Fernando Figari, the controversial lay founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, accused of sexual and psychological abuse, was expelled by the Vatican from the lay movement he established, the Peruvian bishops’ conference announced.
New USCCB secretariat will advocate for ‘just policies’ that ‘promote human dignity’
Jill Rauh, the executive director of a newly created secretariat at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, pledged to support the work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the USCCB’s domestic anti-poverty initiative, after some expressed concern about the future of that project following some staff layoffs. Rauh oversees the work of the new Secretariat of Justice and Peace, announced Aug. 6. The new office will serve four bishops’ committees to advance the social mission of the church through formation, policy analysis, advocacy and outreach.
On the road again: Pope to visit Asia, Oceania in September
CNS ROME: Visiting four nations Sept. 2-13, the 87-year-old pope will be making the longest trip of his pontificate, both in terms of distance covered and days away from the Vatican.
Catholic communities impacted by airplane crash in Brazil
The Aug. 9 passenger plane crash in the city of Vinhedo, Brazil, killed all 62 on board, greatly touching different Catholic communities in the country. Many of the Voepass Brazilian airline passengers lived in the region of the Archdiocese of Cascavel, which released a letter of condolences a few hours after the incident and informed that all Masses celebrated over the following three days would be dedicated for the victims.
As Paris wraps Olympics with pride, bishop says church’s Holy Games equally successful
Auxiliary Bishop Philippe Marsset of Paris is now preparing for the second part of the Holy Games — an initiative to accompany athletes and visitors during Olympic and Paralympic Games with faith and prayer. He also said the bronze bell specially cast for the Olympic Games which athletes rang every time an Olympic record was broken “will be mounted on top of a Notre Dame tower after the Games.” A number of U.S. Catholic university alumni also shone at the Summer Olympics.
New Catholic poetry collection offers a new way to pray
BOOK REVIEW: “In striving to illustrate the full spectrum of the U.S. Catholic experience, the editors have included long and short poems, rhyming and blank verse efforts, and plain prose readings that adroitly exhibit a sense of meter and measure.”
Batman: Caped Crusader
TELEVISION REVIEW: It’s been just over 85 years since artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger gave the world its most famous chiropteran crimefighter. The latest iteration of that enduring character’s adventures, the 10-episode animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader,” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. While their elders can comfortably ponder the troubled protagonist’s psyche — and follow him into some slightly gritty settings — young kids should be directed toward some sunnier source of entertainment.
