In a surprising revelation, a former top aide to Donald Trump disclosed that the ex-president permitted a Catholic Mass to be conducted on White House grounds in Washington, D.C., during his tenure, a move unprecedented in White House history. Mick Mulvaney, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, detailed this occurrence in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, shedding light on the stark differences between the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to religious observance.

In a surprising revelation, a former top aide to Donald Trump disclosed that the ex-president permitted a Catholic Mass to be conducted on White House grounds in Washington, D.C., during his tenure, a move unprecedented in White House history. Mick Mulvaney, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, detailed this occurrence in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, shedding light on the stark differences between the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to religious observance.

Also known as Waltrude or Waudru, she was the daughter of Saints Walbert and Bertilia and sister of St. Aldegunus of Maubeuge. Marrying St. Vincent Madelgarius, she became the mother of saints Landericus, Madalberta, Adeltrudis, and Dentelin. When her husband chose to become a monk about 643 in the monastery of Hautrnont, France, he had founded, she established a convent at Chateaulieu, around which grew up the town of Mons, Belgium.

I was so excited to put on my new glasses for the first time, but after just a few hours I wanted to throw them away. My eyes ached and head throbbed from adjusting to the new prescription. My ears were sore from the unfamiliar frames. The next day I groaned when I remembered I had to wear them. I had to repeatedly choose to use my glasses each day in order for my body to adjust. It took several weeks, but after that, I hardly noticed I was wearing them.

Putting on something new requires an adjustment, but over time we grow into it, and it suits us better. We may even see things we didn’t see before. In Romans 13, the apostle Paul instructed Christ followers to “put on the armor of light” (v. 12) and practice right living. They had already believed in Jesus, but it seems they had fallen into “slumber” and become more complacent (v. 11). They needed to “wake up” and take action, behave decently and let go of all sin. Paul encouraged them to be clothed with Jesus and become more like Him in their thoughts and deeds (v. 14).

We don’t begin to reflect the loving, gentle, kind, grace-filled, and faithful ways of Jesus overnight. It’s a long process of choosing to “put on the armor of light” every day, even when we don’t want to because it’s uncomfortable. Over time, He changes us for the better.

St. Julie (Julia) Billiart was born in 1751 and died in 1816. As a child, playing "school" was Julie's favorite game. When she was sixteen, to help support her family, she began to teach "for real". She sat on a haystack during the noon recess and told the biblical parables to the workers. Julie carried on this mission of teaching throughout her life, and the Congregation she founded continues her work. Julie was the fifth of seven children. She attended a little one room ...

We beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy mercy, to have pity on the soul of Thy handmaid; do Thou, Who hast freed her from the perils of this mortal life, restore to her the portion of everlasting salvation. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Today, on the solemnity of the Annunciation, we commemorate the extraordinary event when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the incarnation of Christ. Though typically celebrated on March 25, this year, due to its overlap with Holy Week, the observance has been moved to Monday, April 8, as per the decision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published 'Dignitas Infinita', marking the culmination of five years of meticulous work. This groundbreaking declaration builds upon the rich tapestry of the papal magisterium over the past decade, delving into multifaceted issues ranging from war and poverty to gender theory and digital violence. The document lists the grave violations of human dignity. It should be noted that grave sins are mortal sins, and those who engage in these behaviors are ...

Today, on the solemnity of the Annunciation, we commemorate the extraordinary event when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the incarnation of Christ. Though typically celebrated on March 25, this year, due to its overlap with Holy Week, the observance has been moved to Monday, April 8, as per the decision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an incredible contest that many dubbed the “greatest World Cup match in history.” As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied 3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described how the city quaked with “an explosion of joy.”

Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city, a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer. “When the righteous prosper,” Proverbs says, “the city rejoices” (11:10). When those who truly live by God’s designs for humanity begin to influence a community, then this signals good news because it means God’s justice is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed are protected. Whenever God’s right way of living flourishes, then there’s joy and “blessing” in the city (v. 11).

If we’re genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world. He invites us to bring joy to the city.