Father Frank Brauer remembered as quiet yet fun priest dedicated to parishioners ‘In this dark hour of history,’ do not shy away from your mission, pope says Mercy Medical Center brings past, present together to inspire future USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran All Catholics share in Church’s mission, not just clergy, pope says Local News Father Frank Brauer remembered as quiet yet fun priest dedicated to parishioners Katie V. Jones April 2, 2026 That commitment to fostering community, even in challenging circumstances, defined Father Frank Brauer’s priesthood. He died March 30 in Florida after a short time in hospice care. He was 79. Sister Mary Sheehan, D.C., dies at 86 Catholic Review Staff April 2, 2026 A funeral Mass for Daughter of Charity Sister Mary (Mary Helena) Sheehan was offered March 27 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary died March 22. She was 86. Mercy Medical Center brings past, present together to inspire future Katie V. Jones April 2, 2026 The classical music cued and so began an episode of Mercy’s four-part, hour-long series that brings historical medical figures together with modern-age Mercy doctors for a discussion on the challenges and advancements each have faced in the medical world. Baltimore Chrism Mass draws 1,400 to witness to ‘liberating power of God’ Christopher Gunty March 31, 2026 The five men who will be ordained to the priesthood in June each had a special role in the chrism Mass March 30 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Three carried the oils that would be blessed in the Mass, one preached the Gospel and another assisted Archbishop William E. Lori at the altar. More Local News World News Here’s a glimpse of Holy Week around the world Junno Arocho Esteves April 2, 2026 From solemn processions in Spain to dramatic reenactments of Christ’s passion in an El Salvadoran prison yard, Catholics around the world commemorate Holy Week with traditions molded by their history, culture and faith. ‘In this dark hour of history,’ do not shy away from your mission, pope says Josephine Peterson April 2, 2026 Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to reject comfort, power and domination and instead embrace a mission rooted in self-giving love, even when it requires risk, vulnerability and suffering. In primetime address, Trump cites nuclear threat as polls show most Americans disapprove of Iran war Kate Scanlon April 2, 2026 Amid polls showing most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, President Donald Trump said in an April 1 address to the nation, “we are going to finish the job. And we’re going to finish it very fast.” USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran OSV News April 2, 2026 Catholics during Holy Week should continue to “pray ardently” for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement April 1. More World News Commentary Proclaiming Easter joy in digital spaces Sister Hosea Rupprecht April 2, 2026 In a world filled with inauthentic social media posts, why not inundate those platforms with authentic Easter joy? If you fasted from social media for Lent, return with a purpose. Consider feet. Actually, consider your own feet. Effie Caldarola April 1, 2026 This sudden spring awareness of feet coincides with our liturgical tradition: the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday. This powerful liturgical moment imitates the example rooted in John 13, when, at the Last Supper Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Via Crucis, 2026 George Weigel April 1, 2026 The Way of the Cross — and the third, seventh, and ninth stations in particular — has been an especially appropriate Lenten devotion this year. Every day, it seems, some new craziness erupts in the world, the country, or the Church. Every time we think we see rays of hope and possibility, we take another fall. Question Corner: Why did Jesus descend into hell if he was sinless? Jenna Marie Cooper April 1, 2026 After his death on the cross, Jesus descended into the “hell” that was simply the netherworld in order to free the dead who had sought to love and honor God despite the original sin that bound them, in order that Jesus might bring them into the fullness of life The truth about how early Christians celebrated Easter James L. Papandrea April 1, 2026 In the early Church, the feast day of the Resurrection of the Lord was simply called Passover, or some translation of that word, as it still is to this day in most languages of the world. This is where we get the word “paschal” in the Paschal Mystery. That just means, “the Passover Mystery.” More Commentary Featured Video The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), home to the largest public collection of Matisse’s work in the world, will open an exhibition March 29 featuring a rare group of preparatory drawings for the artist’s Stations of the Cross. The exhibition runs through June 28 and includes more than 80 drawings that trace the development of the monumental work.
Father Frank Brauer remembered as quiet yet fun priest dedicated to parishioners Katie V. Jones April 2, 2026 That commitment to fostering community, even in challenging circumstances, defined Father Frank Brauer’s priesthood. He died March 30 in Florida after a short time in hospice care. He was 79.
Sister Mary Sheehan, D.C., dies at 86 Catholic Review Staff April 2, 2026 A funeral Mass for Daughter of Charity Sister Mary (Mary Helena) Sheehan was offered March 27 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary died March 22. She was 86.
Mercy Medical Center brings past, present together to inspire future Katie V. Jones April 2, 2026 The classical music cued and so began an episode of Mercy’s four-part, hour-long series that brings historical medical figures together with modern-age Mercy doctors for a discussion on the challenges and advancements each have faced in the medical world.
Baltimore Chrism Mass draws 1,400 to witness to ‘liberating power of God’ Christopher Gunty March 31, 2026 The five men who will be ordained to the priesthood in June each had a special role in the chrism Mass March 30 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Three carried the oils that would be blessed in the Mass, one preached the Gospel and another assisted Archbishop William E. Lori at the altar.
Here’s a glimpse of Holy Week around the world Junno Arocho Esteves April 2, 2026 From solemn processions in Spain to dramatic reenactments of Christ’s passion in an El Salvadoran prison yard, Catholics around the world commemorate Holy Week with traditions molded by their history, culture and faith.
‘In this dark hour of history,’ do not shy away from your mission, pope says Josephine Peterson April 2, 2026 Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to reject comfort, power and domination and instead embrace a mission rooted in self-giving love, even when it requires risk, vulnerability and suffering.
In primetime address, Trump cites nuclear threat as polls show most Americans disapprove of Iran war Kate Scanlon April 2, 2026 Amid polls showing most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, President Donald Trump said in an April 1 address to the nation, “we are going to finish the job. And we’re going to finish it very fast.”
USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran OSV News April 2, 2026 Catholics during Holy Week should continue to “pray ardently” for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement April 1.
Proclaiming Easter joy in digital spaces Sister Hosea Rupprecht April 2, 2026 In a world filled with inauthentic social media posts, why not inundate those platforms with authentic Easter joy? If you fasted from social media for Lent, return with a purpose.
Consider feet. Actually, consider your own feet. Effie Caldarola April 1, 2026 This sudden spring awareness of feet coincides with our liturgical tradition: the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday. This powerful liturgical moment imitates the example rooted in John 13, when, at the Last Supper Jesus washes his disciples’ feet.
Via Crucis, 2026 George Weigel April 1, 2026 The Way of the Cross — and the third, seventh, and ninth stations in particular — has been an especially appropriate Lenten devotion this year. Every day, it seems, some new craziness erupts in the world, the country, or the Church. Every time we think we see rays of hope and possibility, we take another fall.
Question Corner: Why did Jesus descend into hell if he was sinless? Jenna Marie Cooper April 1, 2026 After his death on the cross, Jesus descended into the “hell” that was simply the netherworld in order to free the dead who had sought to love and honor God despite the original sin that bound them, in order that Jesus might bring them into the fullness of life
The truth about how early Christians celebrated Easter James L. Papandrea April 1, 2026 In the early Church, the feast day of the Resurrection of the Lord was simply called Passover, or some translation of that word, as it still is to this day in most languages of the world. This is where we get the word “paschal” in the Paschal Mystery. That just means, “the Passover Mystery.”
