What exactly is an encyclical? Loyola receives $500,000 grant for York Road trust-building initiative Border bishops have ‘grave concerns’ about $72 billion immigration enforcement funding package The liturgy sustains the faithful, renewing them in their faith, mission, pope says Pope Leo XIV urges confirmation candidates to ask Holy Spirit for gift of perseverance Local News Loyola receives $500,000 grant for York Road trust-building initiative Catholic Review Staff May 20, 2026 Loyola University Maryland has received a $500,000 Trust in Practice Award from the Aspen Institute’s Alliance for Social Trust and the Allstate Foundation to launch Rooted in Trust, a new initiative aimed at strengthening social trust along the York Road corridor in North Baltimore. Sacred Heart 6th grader wins Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Spelling Bee Catholic Review Staff May 20, 2026 Taryn Langley, a sixth grader at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon spelled stimuli and serrated correctly to win the 2026 Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Spelling Bee at St. Joseph School in Cockeysville May 18. Catholic high school students experience professions firsthand Katie V. Jones May 19, 2026 Gaining firsthand experience in a career before committing time and money can offer valuable insight for students still weighing their futures. Through high school internship and mentorship programs, students can explore a range of fields while learning more about their own interests and strengths. Archbishop Lori ordains 12 transitional deacons Katie V. Jones May 18, 2026 Their ordination as transitional deacons is the final step before they are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next year. More Local News World News What exactly is an encyclical? Father Joseph Parisi May 20, 2026 An encyclical is a pastoral letter addressed by the pope to the whole Church. Encyclical letters generally address matters of faith or morals, encourage a particular commemoration or pious devotion, or deal with matters of Church discipline which are to be universally observed. Border bishops have ‘grave concerns’ about $72 billion immigration enforcement funding package Katherine Ruddy May 20, 2026 A group of U.S. bishops, most from the U.S.-Mexico border region, wrote a May 20 letter to members of Congress expressing “grave concern” with budget legislation that would provide an additional $72 billion for immigration enforcement. The liturgy sustains the faithful, renewing them in their faith, mission, pope says Carol Glatz May 20, 2026 Christ is present in the liturgy — in the word that is proclaimed, in the sacraments, in the ministers, in the community and most of all in the Eucharist, Pope Leo XIV said. Pope Leo XIV urges confirmation candidates to ask Holy Spirit for gift of perseverance Courtney Mares May 20, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young Catholics preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of perseverance, warning that too many young people “disappear from the parish” after receiving the sacrament. More World News Commentary I’m OK, you’re OK…well we’re mostly OK (on springtime transitions) Rita Buettner May 18, 2026 I wouldn’t want to hold our children back. Or maybe I would, just a little bit, to keep them close a little longer. Question Corner: Are parish priests allowed to do confirmations? Jenna Marie Cooper May 18, 2026 The short answer is that while the Latin (a.k.a. “Roman”) Catholic Church normally envisions a bishop as being the minister of confirmation, there are some scenarios where a simple priest is able to celebrate this sacrament. Cardinal Gibbons: Baltimore’s effective advocate for American Catholicism’s Americanization Russell Shaw May 16, 2026 In a long, fruitful career as leader of the American hierarchy, Cardinal Gibbons combined diplomacy, patriotism and a canny understanding of human nature in a manner that made him the most effective advocate before or since of the Americanization of American Catholicism. To him more than anyone, the Catholic Church owes both the advantages and the unintended consequences of assimilation into American secular culture. The Final School Lunch Rita Buettner May 14, 2026 Forever ago—or maybe it was just the other day—I packed a lunchbox for my 4-year-old to take to school. A surprise painting Rita Buettner May 14, 2026 “I love thinking of how God was watching, guiding us toward one another, always knowing how it would come together. He must have enjoyed seeing how we connected over a much-loved painting of a little girl and a dog.” More Commentary Featured Video Veteran Vatican journalist Gerard O’Connell joins Vatican Access to discuss the inside story of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history.
Loyola receives $500,000 grant for York Road trust-building initiative Catholic Review Staff May 20, 2026 Loyola University Maryland has received a $500,000 Trust in Practice Award from the Aspen Institute’s Alliance for Social Trust and the Allstate Foundation to launch Rooted in Trust, a new initiative aimed at strengthening social trust along the York Road corridor in North Baltimore.
Sacred Heart 6th grader wins Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Spelling Bee Catholic Review Staff May 20, 2026 Taryn Langley, a sixth grader at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon spelled stimuli and serrated correctly to win the 2026 Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Spelling Bee at St. Joseph School in Cockeysville May 18.
Catholic high school students experience professions firsthand Katie V. Jones May 19, 2026 Gaining firsthand experience in a career before committing time and money can offer valuable insight for students still weighing their futures. Through high school internship and mentorship programs, students can explore a range of fields while learning more about their own interests and strengths.
Archbishop Lori ordains 12 transitional deacons Katie V. Jones May 18, 2026 Their ordination as transitional deacons is the final step before they are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next year.
What exactly is an encyclical? Father Joseph Parisi May 20, 2026 An encyclical is a pastoral letter addressed by the pope to the whole Church. Encyclical letters generally address matters of faith or morals, encourage a particular commemoration or pious devotion, or deal with matters of Church discipline which are to be universally observed.
Border bishops have ‘grave concerns’ about $72 billion immigration enforcement funding package Katherine Ruddy May 20, 2026 A group of U.S. bishops, most from the U.S.-Mexico border region, wrote a May 20 letter to members of Congress expressing “grave concern” with budget legislation that would provide an additional $72 billion for immigration enforcement.
The liturgy sustains the faithful, renewing them in their faith, mission, pope says Carol Glatz May 20, 2026 Christ is present in the liturgy — in the word that is proclaimed, in the sacraments, in the ministers, in the community and most of all in the Eucharist, Pope Leo XIV said.
Pope Leo XIV urges confirmation candidates to ask Holy Spirit for gift of perseverance Courtney Mares May 20, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young Catholics preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of perseverance, warning that too many young people “disappear from the parish” after receiving the sacrament.
I’m OK, you’re OK…well we’re mostly OK (on springtime transitions) Rita Buettner May 18, 2026 I wouldn’t want to hold our children back. Or maybe I would, just a little bit, to keep them close a little longer.
Question Corner: Are parish priests allowed to do confirmations? Jenna Marie Cooper May 18, 2026 The short answer is that while the Latin (a.k.a. “Roman”) Catholic Church normally envisions a bishop as being the minister of confirmation, there are some scenarios where a simple priest is able to celebrate this sacrament.
Cardinal Gibbons: Baltimore’s effective advocate for American Catholicism’s Americanization Russell Shaw May 16, 2026 In a long, fruitful career as leader of the American hierarchy, Cardinal Gibbons combined diplomacy, patriotism and a canny understanding of human nature in a manner that made him the most effective advocate before or since of the Americanization of American Catholicism. To him more than anyone, the Catholic Church owes both the advantages and the unintended consequences of assimilation into American secular culture.
The Final School Lunch Rita Buettner May 14, 2026 Forever ago—or maybe it was just the other day—I packed a lunchbox for my 4-year-old to take to school.
A surprise painting Rita Buettner May 14, 2026 “I love thinking of how God was watching, guiding us toward one another, always knowing how it would come together. He must have enjoyed seeing how we connected over a much-loved painting of a little girl and a dog.”
