Papal Spain trip: 2.5 million participants, revenue over $174 million, spiritual boost priceless National Eucharistic Pilgrimage includes boardwalk evangelization along Atlantic shore Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line Pope Leo praises newly beatified Salesian martyrs killed for their fidelity to Christ Pew: More governments cracking down on religion, with spikes in religious hostility in 2023 Local News Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83 Catholic Review Staff June 17, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill (formerly Sister St. Lawrence) was offered June 5 at St. Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. Sister Joseph Patricia died May 22. Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line Gerry Jackson June 17, 2026 “I think I’m looking forward to the ways the Lord works through me to give hope and joy to people,” Deacon Schmidt said. “The Lord wants to give us good things. It’s inspiring that I might be able to provide some of that hope and joy through the sacraments.” Powerful experience at adoration helps lead Calvert Hall grad to the priesthood George P. Matysek Jr. June 16, 2026 After graduating from Tulane University with a degree in chemistry, Deacon Kulik put aside medical school acceptance to serve two years as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. The experience deepened his sense of purpose and pointed him toward seminary. Eucharistic pilgrims focus on bringing Jesus to everyone Christopher Gunty June 15, 2026 For the nine “perpetual pilgrims” traveling with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from Florida to Maine to Pennsylvania, prayer and mission are at the center of their journey. More Local News World News Pope reflects on Spain trip, says migration concerns call for Christians to reread the Gospel Josephine Peterson June 17, 2026 Reflecting on his weeklong trip to Spain, Pope Leo XIV said one of his clearest impressions came from the Canary Islands, where migration revealed both the challenges facing Europe and what he described as a Christian path toward a “civilization of love.” Papal Spain trip: 2.5 million participants, revenue over $174 million, spiritual boost priceless Junno Arocho Esteves June 17, 2026 Despite minor setbacks, including the last-minute thwarting of a separatist demonstration and the grounding of the papal flight to Rome, organizers said Pope Leo XIV’s weeklong visit to Spain was an overwhelming success. National Eucharistic Pilgrimage includes boardwalk evangelization along Atlantic shore Cathy Rossi June 17, 2026 As he began to process on a warm and breezy morning June 12 along the boardwalk, local Catholic Chris Cikanovich said, “I wanted to be a part of this and show what the Eucharist means to us.” Pope Leo praises newly beatified Salesian martyrs killed for their fidelity to Christ Katarzyna Szalajko June 16, 2026 Nine Polish Salesian priests killed in German Nazi concentration camps during World War II were beatified June 6 at the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II in Kraków during a Mass that highlighted not only their martyrdom but also their lives as educators, pastors and mentors to young people. More World News Commentary Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern. Little Love Messages from God Rita Buettner June 15, 2026 God often has something else up his sleeve. And he likes to make sure we know that he sees us and that he’s walking right by our side. Dream and be encouraged! Your God-given gifts are still there! Elizabeth Scalia June 15, 2026 The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies not over and done; every morning they are renewed, so great is his faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23). Catholic sci-fi novel demonstrates the dangers of replacing faith with ideology Madelyn Reichert June 11, 2026 Longtime fans of Karina Fabian’s “Rescue Sisters” stories will be quick to point out that the review of this month’s novel is a decade overdue. To them one can only reply that, after all, Christ gave the full day’s pay to the latecomers in his parable of the vineyard workers, and this reviewer is similarly grateful to have discovered such an excellent work of speculative fiction, even if a bit belatedly. Discovered, of course, being the operative word, as in any good work of science fiction. Special delivery Rita Buettner June 10, 2026 I know there are people who say that a child learns best when they need to deal with the consequences. But I think there are enough hard consequences in life. The lessons I want to teach my children are to respond with compassion. More Commentary Featured Video The U.S. bishops consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Live from the USCCB Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, this historic Mass invites parishes and Catholics around the country to join the bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori was the homilist.
Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83 Catholic Review Staff June 17, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill (formerly Sister St. Lawrence) was offered June 5 at St. Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. Sister Joseph Patricia died May 22.
Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line Gerry Jackson June 17, 2026 “I think I’m looking forward to the ways the Lord works through me to give hope and joy to people,” Deacon Schmidt said. “The Lord wants to give us good things. It’s inspiring that I might be able to provide some of that hope and joy through the sacraments.”
Powerful experience at adoration helps lead Calvert Hall grad to the priesthood George P. Matysek Jr. June 16, 2026 After graduating from Tulane University with a degree in chemistry, Deacon Kulik put aside medical school acceptance to serve two years as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. The experience deepened his sense of purpose and pointed him toward seminary.
Eucharistic pilgrims focus on bringing Jesus to everyone Christopher Gunty June 15, 2026 For the nine “perpetual pilgrims” traveling with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from Florida to Maine to Pennsylvania, prayer and mission are at the center of their journey.
Pope reflects on Spain trip, says migration concerns call for Christians to reread the Gospel Josephine Peterson June 17, 2026 Reflecting on his weeklong trip to Spain, Pope Leo XIV said one of his clearest impressions came from the Canary Islands, where migration revealed both the challenges facing Europe and what he described as a Christian path toward a “civilization of love.”
Papal Spain trip: 2.5 million participants, revenue over $174 million, spiritual boost priceless Junno Arocho Esteves June 17, 2026 Despite minor setbacks, including the last-minute thwarting of a separatist demonstration and the grounding of the papal flight to Rome, organizers said Pope Leo XIV’s weeklong visit to Spain was an overwhelming success.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage includes boardwalk evangelization along Atlantic shore Cathy Rossi June 17, 2026 As he began to process on a warm and breezy morning June 12 along the boardwalk, local Catholic Chris Cikanovich said, “I wanted to be a part of this and show what the Eucharist means to us.”
Pope Leo praises newly beatified Salesian martyrs killed for their fidelity to Christ Katarzyna Szalajko June 16, 2026 Nine Polish Salesian priests killed in German Nazi concentration camps during World War II were beatified June 6 at the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II in Kraków during a Mass that highlighted not only their martyrdom but also their lives as educators, pastors and mentors to young people.
Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern.
Little Love Messages from God Rita Buettner June 15, 2026 God often has something else up his sleeve. And he likes to make sure we know that he sees us and that he’s walking right by our side.
Dream and be encouraged! Your God-given gifts are still there! Elizabeth Scalia June 15, 2026 The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies not over and done; every morning they are renewed, so great is his faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23).
Catholic sci-fi novel demonstrates the dangers of replacing faith with ideology Madelyn Reichert June 11, 2026 Longtime fans of Karina Fabian’s “Rescue Sisters” stories will be quick to point out that the review of this month’s novel is a decade overdue. To them one can only reply that, after all, Christ gave the full day’s pay to the latecomers in his parable of the vineyard workers, and this reviewer is similarly grateful to have discovered such an excellent work of speculative fiction, even if a bit belatedly. Discovered, of course, being the operative word, as in any good work of science fiction.
Special delivery Rita Buettner June 10, 2026 I know there are people who say that a child learns best when they need to deal with the consequences. But I think there are enough hard consequences in life. The lessons I want to teach my children are to respond with compassion.
