ENCOUNTERING THE WORD — YOUR DAILY BIBLE VERSES “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalm 139:23-24 Please help spread the Gospel. Share this scripture with family and friends on […]

The post Your Daily Bible Verses — Romans 8:1 appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

St. Bede the Venerable was born around 673 in Northumbria, England. At the age of seven, he entered the monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow, where he would spend his entire life dedicated to prayer, study, and teaching. Bede became one of the most learned men of his time, mastering Scripture, history, poetry, and science. His most famous […]

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, will significantly restrict the practice of the Traditional Latin Mass, limiting it to a single chapel in what Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv, said is a bid to “promote the concord and unity of the Church.”

Martin issued a statement on Friday announcing the new policy, directing that the ancient liturgy would henceforth be celebrated in an as-yet-unnamed chapel in the town of Mooresville.

Martin in his statement said the measure was meant to bring the Charlotte Diocese in line with Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, which greatly restricted the Latin Mass “in defense of the unity of the body of Christ.”

The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”

Martin on Friday noted that his predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis, requested an extension on the directive in order to prepare for the transition. The extension expires this year, Martin noted, and he is “now ready to finish the diocese’s implementation of the norms established.”

Starting on July 8, no parish churches will be permitted to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese, Martin said. In accordance with Traditionis Custodes, the bishop said he was “designating a chapel in the diocese” that will be permitted to use the Roman Missal of 1962 and where “faithful adherents may gather for the celebration of the Eucharist” only on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

“A priest of the diocese will be appointed as chaplain, to be responsible for celebrating two Sunday Masses and holy day Masses using the 1962 Roman Missal at this site,” the bishop said.

“Those who are interested in participating in the Eucharistic celebration in this form will remain active members of their current parishes, where they may continue receiving the sacraments,” he added.

Citing the Gospel of John, Martin expressed hope that the new rule “will further ‘promote the concord and unity of the Church’ among the people of God in the Diocese of Charlotte so that, as Jesus prayed to his Father, we ‘may all be one.’”

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, will significantly restrict the practice of the Traditional Latin Mass, limiting it to a single chapel in what Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv, said is a bid to “promote the concord and unity of the Church.”

Martin issued a statement on Friday announcing the new policy, directing that the ancient liturgy would henceforth be celebrated in an as-yet-unnamed chapel in the town of Mooresville.

Martin in his statement said the measure was meant to bring the Charlotte Diocese in line with Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, which greatly restricted the Latin Mass “in defense of the unity of the body of Christ.”

The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”

Martin on Friday noted that his predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis, requested an extension on the directive in order to prepare for the transition. The extension expires this year, Martin noted, and he is “now ready to finish the diocese’s implementation of the norms established.”

Starting on July 8, no parish churches will be permitted to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese, Martin said. In accordance with Traditionis Custodes, the bishop said he was “designating a chapel in the diocese” that will be permitted to use the Roman Missal of 1962 and where “faithful adherents may gather for the celebration of the Eucharist” only on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

“A priest of the diocese will be appointed as chaplain, to be responsible for celebrating two Sunday Masses and holy day Masses using the 1962 Roman Missal at this site,” the bishop said.

“Those who are interested in participating in the Eucharistic celebration in this form will remain active members of their current parishes, where they may continue receiving the sacraments,” he added.

Citing the Gospel of John, Martin expressed hope that the new rule “will further ‘promote the concord and unity of the Church’ among the people of God in the Diocese of Charlotte so that, as Jesus prayed to his Father, we ‘may all be one.’”

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

About 1 in 3 Americans are turning to New Age practices like tarot cards, astrology, and fortune tellers at least once a year, a recent study found — but most say it’s “just for fun.” 

A study published by Pew Research on Wednesday found that 30% of Americans consult at least one of these New Age practices at least once a year. Astrology was the most popular (28%) followed by tarot cards (11% ) and fortune tellers (6%). 

Most Americans who engage in these practices say they do them for fun, not for insight or guidance. But Catholic Answers apologist Tom Nash told CNA these activities are “spiritually dangerous.” 

“Tarot cards, Ouija boards, seances, and other similar activities are all dangerous forms of divination,” Nash said.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly rejects “all forms of divination,” saying they “contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (No. 2116).

Engaging in divination means “we’re likely to get drawn deeper into a life of vice and related problems,” Nash added.

Both religious and nonreligious Americans are just as likely to believe in astrology, according to Pew.

American adults most likely to say they believe that consulting a fortune teller, tarot cards, or astrology provides insights are Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and adults whose religion is “nothing in particular.” In contrast, atheists and white evangelicals are most likely to say they never engage in these practices. 

When compared with Pew’s last survey in 2017, the percentage of people engaging in New Age practices remains steady. The percentage of adults who say they believe in astrology is similar to the percentage recorded in 2017 (going from about 29% in 2017 to 27% in 2024). Gallup polls from the 1990s to early 2000s ranged from between 23% to 28%.  

Notably, younger adults — especially young women — are more likely to believe in astrology and consult horoscopes, the study found. Of women ages 18 to 49, 43% say they believe in astrology.

In addition, Americans who identify as LGBT are also more likely to engage in New Age practices. About half of LGBT Americans consult astrology at least yearly, and LGBT adults are three times as likely as non-LGBT adults to consult tarot cards. 

Nash tied the tendency to turn to New Age practices with the rise of the “nones” in American culture, i.e., the increasing numbers of people who are explicitly turning away from organized religion.

Nash noted that in spite of their abandonment of organized religion, many people continue to “yearn for greater meaning and understanding.”  

“And yet, human beings remain human — made in the image and likeness of God as body-soul composites,” he said, referencing Genesis 1:26-27. 

Nash added that in “our very being, we realize that there’s more to life than just our temporal, material world.”

Without Christ to fill that spiritual “vacuum,” Nash reflected, “we’ll tend to seek out other outlets.” 

“Thus, in the absence of true religion, the fullness of which is only found in Our Lord Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church, we will tend to seek out alternatives,” Nash said.

CNA Staff, May 24, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

About 1 in 3 Americans are turning to New Age practices like tarot cards, astrology, and fortune tellers at least once a year, a recent study found — but most say it’s “just for fun.” 

A study published by Pew Research on Wednesday found that 30% of Americans consult at least one of these New Age practices at least once a year. Astrology was the most popular (28%) followed by tarot cards (11% ) and fortune tellers (6%). 

Most Americans who engage in these practices say they do them for fun, not for insight or guidance. But Catholic Answers apologist Tom Nash told CNA these activities are “spiritually dangerous.” 

“Tarot cards, Ouija boards, seances, and other similar activities are all dangerous forms of divination,” Nash said.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly rejects “all forms of divination,” saying they “contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (No. 2116).

Engaging in divination means “we’re likely to get drawn deeper into a life of vice and related problems,” Nash added.

Both religious and nonreligious Americans are just as likely to believe in astrology, according to Pew.

American adults most likely to say they believe that consulting a fortune teller, tarot cards, or astrology provides insights are Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and adults whose religion is “nothing in particular.” In contrast, atheists and white evangelicals are most likely to say they never engage in these practices. 

When compared with Pew’s last survey in 2017, the percentage of people engaging in New Age practices remains steady. The percentage of adults who say they believe in astrology is similar to the percentage recorded in 2017 (going from about 29% in 2017 to 27% in 2024). Gallup polls from the 1990s to early 2000s ranged from between 23% to 28%.  

Notably, younger adults — especially young women — are more likely to believe in astrology and consult horoscopes, the study found. Of women ages 18 to 49, 43% say they believe in astrology.

In addition, Americans who identify as LGBT are also more likely to engage in New Age practices. About half of LGBT Americans consult astrology at least yearly, and LGBT adults are three times as likely as non-LGBT adults to consult tarot cards. 

Nash tied the tendency to turn to New Age practices with the rise of the “nones” in American culture, i.e., the increasing numbers of people who are explicitly turning away from organized religion.

Nash noted that in spite of their abandonment of organized religion, many people continue to “yearn for greater meaning and understanding.”  

“And yet, human beings remain human — made in the image and likeness of God as body-soul composites,” he said, referencing Genesis 1:26-27. 

Nash added that in “our very being, we realize that there’s more to life than just our temporal, material world.”

Without Christ to fill that spiritual “vacuum,” Nash reflected, “we’ll tend to seek out other outlets.” 

“Thus, in the absence of true religion, the fullness of which is only found in Our Lord Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church, we will tend to seek out alternatives,” Nash said.

Lima Newsroom, May 24, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

Uruguayan Cardinal Daniel Sturla anticipates that Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to Latin America “will include Argentina, Uruguay, and possibly Peru” on his itinerary.

In a May 21 interview with Uruguay’s “Radio Carve,” when asked about a possible visit by the Holy Father to that country, the archbishop of Montevideo said the likelihood is “very high” because Pope Leo “is very much aware that Argentina and Uruguay weren’t on Francis’ calendar — not because Francis wanted it that way — but because that’s the way things turned out.”

The Uruguayan cardinal, who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV earlier this month, indicated that for “the first visit to Latin America, it seems to me — I am not the one who keeps his schedule — he will have Argentina, Uruguay, and possibly Peru on his itinerary” given that the pontiff was bishop of Chiclayo and later as apostolic administrator of Callao.

Pope Leo XIV ‘seeks the unity of the Church’

“I was very pleased with the pope’s election. I think he is a figure who seeks the unity of the Church, and this is very important today. He will continue the main lines that were innovative and positive, so to speak, of Francis, but with a very different style,” Sturla said.

After mentioning that he had had contact with the Holy Father at the Synod of Synodality and during a meeting of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Uruguayan archbishop emphasized that Leo XIV “is a man who listens a lot, speaks little, and who speaks, let’s say, slowly, thinking a lot about what he says; that is to say, he has a very different character from that of Francis, and I think that is good at this moment in the Church.”

The Salesian cardinal also recounted that “I had often thought in my life as a Christian, as a religious, and as a priest … about being in St. Peter’s Square when a new pope is elected” because “it’s a fantastic thing.”

“I had never imagined being on the other side, let’s say, being on the inside, so it was a very powerful thing,” since “I felt the weight of responsibility for what I was about to do, because it is a historical event that links the life of the Church with what Jesus did with Simon Peter 2,000 years ago, [which is] narrated in the Gospels. When Cardinal [Robert] Prevost says, ‘I accept,’ in that moment he is transformed into the successor of Peter,” the cardinal said, sharing his reflection on his first conclave.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 24, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York was named the Becket Fund’s 2025 Canterbury Medalist, an award that honors his career-long commitment to religious liberty.

“His Eminence has been a towering figure in the fight for religious liberty, not just for Catholics, but for people of all faiths,” Becket President Mark Rienzi said in a statement. “Cardinal Dolan’s leadership in the public square has shaped the national conscience on religious freedom and strengthened the resolve of those who defend it.”

Becket, a nonprofit law firm that represents clients who are defending their religious liberty in court, awarded Dolan the medal during its annual gala in New York. According to Becket, the honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to defending religious liberty in the United States and globally.

Dolan said in an acceptance speech, which was provided to CNA by Becket, that he is “grateful” to receive the award. 

“I hardly deserve this high award,” Dolan added. “Yet, I readily admit that you are absolutely [spot on] to claim I am intensely devoted to the protection of our ‘first and most cherished liberty,’ religious freedom.”

In his speech, Dolan said he is in “good company” in defending religious freedom, along with the legal team at Becket and the founders of the United States. 

“They and their parents had come here precisely because they were frustrated in countries where religion was imposed or proscribed, nations where battles were waged to coerce religious conviction, where they were hounded and harassed for their beliefs,” he said. 

“Not here, they insisted!” Dolan said. “This was not the way they, or, most importantly, God intended it. Nothing is more free than creedal assent; nothing merited more protection than religious freedom; nothing deserved more top billing in our Constitution.” 

Dolan said religious liberty is “part of our very nature that cannot be erased” and necessary for the respect of “the dignity of the human person.” 

“Our passion for this primary liberty is not just because we happen to be a believer or a patriotic citizen, but because we are a person endowed with certain ingrained rights,” he said.

Dolan was recently appointed to serve on President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, which will create a report on threats to religious freedom and strategies to enhance legal protections to preserve those rights. It will also outline the foundations of religious liberty in the United States.

Previously, Dolan has served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and has led the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty. According to Becket, the cardinal has also staunchly defended religious freedom through testimony before Congress and when engaging with the media.

“Religious freedom isn’t just about protecting what happens in church on Sundays — it’s about defending the right of every person to live their faith openly, every day of the week,” Dolan said. “It’s a gift from God — not from government — and it must be protected for people of all faiths.”

Other members of the Catholic clergy who have won this award from Becket include University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea and former Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

Past medalists also include Nobel Peace Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel; Orthodox rabbi of the oldest Jewish congregation in the U.S. Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik; and First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Dallin H. Oaks.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 24, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York was named the Becket Fund’s 2025 Canterbury Medalist, an award that honors his career-long commitment to religious liberty.

“His Eminence has been a towering figure in the fight for religious liberty, not just for Catholics, but for people of all faiths,” Becket President Mark Rienzi said in a statement. “Cardinal Dolan’s leadership in the public square has shaped the national conscience on religious freedom and strengthened the resolve of those who defend it.”

Becket, a nonprofit law firm that represents clients who are defending their religious liberty in court, awarded Dolan the medal during its annual gala in New York. According to Becket, the honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to defending religious liberty in the United States and globally.

Dolan said in an acceptance speech, which was provided to CNA by Becket, that he is “grateful” to receive the award. 

“I hardly deserve this high award,” Dolan added. “Yet, I readily admit that you are absolutely [spot on] to claim I am intensely devoted to the protection of our ‘first and most cherished liberty,’ religious freedom.”

In his speech, Dolan said he is in “good company” in defending religious freedom, along with the legal team at Becket and the founders of the United States. 

“They and their parents had come here precisely because they were frustrated in countries where religion was imposed or proscribed, nations where battles were waged to coerce religious conviction, where they were hounded and harassed for their beliefs,” he said. 

“Not here, they insisted!” Dolan said. “This was not the way they, or, most importantly, God intended it. Nothing is more free than creedal assent; nothing merited more protection than religious freedom; nothing deserved more top billing in our Constitution.” 

Dolan said religious liberty is “part of our very nature that cannot be erased” and necessary for the respect of “the dignity of the human person.” 

“Our passion for this primary liberty is not just because we happen to be a believer or a patriotic citizen, but because we are a person endowed with certain ingrained rights,” he said.

Dolan was recently appointed to serve on President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, which will create a report on threats to religious freedom and strategies to enhance legal protections to preserve those rights. It will also outline the foundations of religious liberty in the United States.

Previously, Dolan has served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and has led the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty. According to Becket, the cardinal has also staunchly defended religious freedom through testimony before Congress and when engaging with the media.

“Religious freedom isn’t just about protecting what happens in church on Sundays — it’s about defending the right of every person to live their faith openly, every day of the week,” Dolan said. “It’s a gift from God — not from government — and it must be protected for people of all faiths.”

Other members of the Catholic clergy who have won this award from Becket include University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea and former Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

Past medalists also include Nobel Peace Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel; Orthodox rabbi of the oldest Jewish congregation in the U.S. Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik; and First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Dallin H. Oaks.

ACI Prensa Staff, May 24, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Father Cristian Meriggi, an exorcist priest of the Archdiocese of Florence, Italy, shares the five spiritual weapons he uses and recommends to combat the devil.