As the nation marked Juneteenth, the head of the U.S. bishops’ anti-racism committee called for renewed efforts to combat the historical legacy of slavery and racism.
Nation
The first day of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ public meetings during their spring assembly June 12-14 began with a closed door session on the future of its anti-poverty initiative and closed with a lively open discussion surrounding its ongoing campaign to address the mental health crisis.
Catholic bishops in Malawi mourned the loss of the country’s vice president, a devout Catholic, who died June 10 in a tragic plane crash.
Saulos Chilima, 51, died alongside nine others, including the former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, aboard a military aircraft.
The Catholic Church in France commemorates the 80th anniversary of Normandy landings June 6, a date known as D-Day that marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi Germany’s occupation during World War II.
As a Eucharistic procession made its way May 28 through Victoria, Texas, a 20-something man sitting on the side of a street caught Charlie McCullough’s attention. McCullough stopped to talk with him, explaining what was going on: The procession was part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage en route to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, and the Eucharist they were walking behind is really, truly Jesus.
Growth, undeniable tensions and “a deep desire to rebuild and strengthen” the body of Christ have emerged as key themes in the latest synod report for the Catholic Church in the U.S.
While many Catholics around the world rejoiced upon hearing the news that Pope Francis had approved a second miracle attributed to Blessed Carlo Acutis, none was happier than his mother, Antonia Salzano.
In 1776, Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan missionary, dedicated a small mission church in San Francisco to St. Francis Assisi. On May 18, the mission of San Francisco de Asis, also known as Mission Dolores, will host an evening of Eucharistic adoration and prayer for the launch of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s western route, named for now St. Junipero Serra.
There are hundreds of opportunities for Catholics to join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage for Mass, adoration, processions and other events. However, casually meeting up with perpetual pilgrims along the four routes may be trickier and is even prohibited along certain sections of the journey, according to pilgrimage leaders.
Major cities and country parishes alike are preparing for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Marian Route to make its way over the course of eight weeks through the Midwest, from northern Minnesota through Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.