The Catholic Spirit

09/01/2024

Mass at the Minnesota State Fair.

08/30/2024

Archbishop Bernard Hebda: 'I think there’s a real value just finding a spiritual friend as well. Somebody who’s accompanying you on the journey, maybe where you’re discovering things together as well.'

Just as St. Ambrose played a pivotal role in St. Augustine’s life as his mentor, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said having somebody older and more experienced show someone younger the “spiritual ropes” is…

08/30/2024

McCallum graduated in April with a media production degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck. After trying different majors, McCallum said, she fell in love with the field of media production.

The “Practicing Catholic” radio show has a new producer and social media coordinator. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis welcomed Rachael McCallum to the role in the Office of Communications…

08/30/2024

Labor Day marks a time to "recommit ourselves to building together a society that honors the human dignity of all who labor," said two Catholic bishops in a joint statement ahead of the Sept. 2 national civic holiday.

Labor Day marks a time to "recommit ourselves to building together a society that honors the human dignity of all who labor," said two Catholic bishops in a joint statement ahead of the Sept. 2…

08/30/2024

The study, titled "New Insights on Blood Evidence from the Turin Shroud Consistent with Jesus Christ's Tortures," stated that the presence of creatinine particles with ferritin, which are often a by-product of muscle contractions, "confirms, at a microscopic level, the very heavy torture suffered by Jesus of the HST," or Holy Shroud of Turin.

A study published in July revealed that a new analysis of the Shroud of Turin, including the composition and a microscopic analysis of bloodstains, shows that the marks are consistent with the…

08/30/2024

From Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston: "When I am asked about my experience of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, I think of the comments I received from many people who attended and told me they did not want it to end."

When I am asked about my experience of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, I think of the comments I received from many people who attended and told me they did not want it to end.

08/30/2024

Each unit at the Byrne Residence is a single bedroom apartment, with a galley style kitchen. Available to the retired priests are optional three meals a day, housekeeping, laundry service, heated parking below the building and a chapel for Mass.

Named after Archbishop Leo C. Byrne, the Byrne Residence on Mississippi Boulevard next to The St. Paul Seminary is home to retired priests from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.…

08/30/2024

St. Teresa was a Spanish nun, one of the great mystics and religious women of the Catholic Church, and an author of spiritual classics. She started the Carmelite reform, which restored and emphasized the contemplative character of Carmelite life. St. Teresa was elevated to doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, the first woman to be honored with the title.

The silver coffin of St. Teresa of Ávila was opened in Alba de Tormes Aug. 28 only to confirm her body has remained incorrupt since her death in 1582. The opening of her tomb marks the beginning of a…

08/30/2024

The Darien Gap, located on the border between Colombia and Panama, has become a major and deadly migration route, as thousands navigate its rugged, dense terrain while also battling crime and disease. "You could see the suffering in their faces, and it was very moving," Bishop Seitz said. "To put it in simple terms, I think the Church — wherever we are — needs to be the conscience of the community and for the governments of the places where we (as Catholics) dwell."

08/29/2024

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Office for the Mission of Catholic Education (OMCE), in collaboration with the UST’s Department of Catholic Studies, piloted the orientation with several archdiocesan schools to get feedback as they look to strengthen and expand the program.

Ten Catholic school educators just starting the teaching profession, along with fellows of Catholic Studies’ Mission and Culture of Catholic Education program, participated in a new teacher…

08/29/2024

James Bogner, the newly named head of the U.S. bishops' consultative safe environment body, told OSV News he is bringing both his faith and his more than 35 years of law enforcement experience to the task of countering sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Retired FBI official James Bogner was recently named chair of the National Review Board, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' consultative safe environment body established in 2002 under the…

08/29/2024

In an Aug. 26 statement, they said the cease-fire should be "resulting in the end of the war, the release of all captives, the return of the displaced, the treatment of the sick and wounded, the relief of those who hunger and thirst, and the rebuilding of all public and private civilian structures that have been destroyed."

With the approaching one-year mark of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, spurred by the Hamas attack on southern Israeli agricultural communities Oct. 7, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches…

08/29/2024

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), affiliated with Georgetown University, last month published a study on Catholic attitudes toward immigration, migrants, and refugees.

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), affiliated with Georgetown University, last month published a study on Catholic attitudes toward immigration, migrants, and refugees. It is a…

08/28/2024

Former President Donald Trump recently wrote on social media that his administration would be “great for reproductive rights,” a term often used by those who advocate for legal abortion, followed by his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, promising Trump would veto a national abortion ban.

Former President Donald Trump recently wrote on social media that his administration would be "great for reproductive rights," a term often used by those who advocate for legal abortion, followed by his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, promising Trump would veto a national abortion ban.

08/28/2024

Frost is the fifth woman and the first St. Thomas faculty member to be appointed to the academy since its founding in 1879.

Gloria Frost, a philosophy professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas (UST) in St. Paul, was officially named to the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas by the…

08/28/2024

Over 500 people have died in Congo from an mpox outbreak and almost 18,000 were infected — 94% of the global cases in 2024 — as the viral disease spread to East and Central Africa. Over 15 other African countries have reported cases and heightened surveillance .

As Congo remained the epicenter of the latest mpox outbreak, Catholic Church leaders in the country were calling for increased action, while expressing concern at the surging cases.

08/28/2024

Announced June 18, the Biden administration’s rule sought to allow mixed-status families to remain united by helping qualified non-citizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence without first leaving the U.S.

A federal judge has halted an immigration policy offering protections for non-citizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens intended to keep their families together as they seek to legalize their…

08/28/2024

"May the Lord always give you the strength to witness faith in him, including through respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone," the pope told members of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions Aug. 28 during their plenary meeting in Rome.

"May the Lord always give you the strength to witness faith in him, including through respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone," the pope told members of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the…

08/28/2024

The winter of 1915 was so cold in northeastern Minnesota that a moose wandered into the small town of Biwabik and settled in a horse stable. The moose gradually won over the townspeople, who had initially tried to evict him. His memorable stay became part of Biwabik’s oral history, one day reaching the town’s basketball coach, an Iowa native named Phil Stong.

The winter of 1915 was so cold in northeastern Minnesota that a moose wandered into the small town of Biwabik and settled in a horse stable.

08/27/2024

Bishop Shi, 95, succeeded the late Bishop Paul Liu Shuhe as bishop of Tianjin in 2019. But he was only recognized as a priest by the Chinese government and was placed under house arrest for his refusal to join the government-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association. Now, the Chinese government has officially recognized Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen as bishop of Tianjin.

After five years of refusal, the Chinese government has officially recognized Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen as bishop of Tianjin, the Vatican said, in what it called "a positive fruit of the dialogue…

08/27/2024

On its X (formerly Twitter) account, FECAMDS has been posting Google Meetup notices for regular rosary prayers "seeking the face of God for the release of our medical students."

Catholic health care professionals have condemned the Aug. 15 kidnapping of 20 Catholic medical students in Nigeria.

08/27/2024

Legendary polar explorer Will Steger left his slice of paradise outside Ely so he could work full-time in the Twin Cities spreading awareness about climate change. A lifelong Catholic who turned 80 last month, Steger lives in a houseboat on the Mississippi River and logs long days lobbying and networking. He hopes to make Minnesota a leader in combating global warming.

Legendary polar explorer Will Steger left his slice of paradise outside Ely so he could work full-time in the Twin Cities spreading awareness about climate change. A lifelong Catholic who turned 80…

08/26/2024

Father Bradley Greer, chancellor of the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio, and Father Timothy Huffman, parochial vicar at St. Peter Catholic Church (where Father Greer is pastor) in Steubenville, filed for legal custody of a then 7-month-old child in December 2022.

In an unusual case, two priests in Steubenville, Ohio, are fighting for legal custody of a toddler who is presently under their care.

08/26/2024

“The more we live in his presence, the more we are able to help them encounter him without unnecessary protagonism and having only their salvation and full happiness at heart,” the pope said.

The best way to ensure evangelization is about Jesus and not about oneself is to spend time in prayer and especially in Eucharistic adoration, Pope Francis told members of the Oblates of St. Joseph.

08/25/2024

The Gospel readings in the last few weeks have been a progressive revelation of the gift of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, culminating in this moment of decision. Jesus has laid before the people the gift of his very self as the bread of life. It was now their time to decide if they wanted to walk with him and receive this gift, or if they wanted to no longer accompany him. This same choice is placed before us each day that we attend Mass.

“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

08/24/2024

The movie’s explicit treatment of period mayhem and the inclusion of some sexual material, moreover, make this passion project for Costner strictly grown-up fare.

Kevin Costner directed, co-wrote and stars in the epic Western, "Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1" (New Line). The first installment of a proposed tetralogy, the sprawling film is visually…

08/24/2024

Naomi Ackie plays ambitious cocktail waitress Frida. After waiting on guests at a charity fundraiser, Frida and her best friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), manage to get themselves invited to the private island of the nonprofit’s founder, famous tech magnate Slater King (Channing Tatum).

Decadence turns dangerous in the dark psychological thriller "Blink Twice" (Amazon MGM). As it does so, actress Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, which she penned together with E.T. Feigenbaum,…

08/24/2024

“We were contacted a few months ago by the Paris Organizing Committee, to see if we would be interested in this bell for Notre Dame,” the cathedral’s rector-archpriest, Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, told OSV News. “And we accepted this proposal.”

During the Paris Olympic Games, track and field champions rang the bronze bell located close to the finish line at Saint-Denis' Stade de France. In December, that same bell will ring in the newly…

08/24/2024

LISTEN: “The Church has always believed that the parents are going to be the first teachers. For a priest, it’s part of the baptism rite. I say something to the couple like, ‘You will be the first teachers of your children and the ways of faith. And you will also be the best of teachers.’ Of course, it doesn’t change even as the kid gets older, the parents remain the most important teachers.”

The auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis attributed this to the sense of freedom children experience when it comes to summer. Still, Bishop Izen said, he believes that…

08/23/2024

Harris, who secured her party’s nomination for president shortly after President Joe Biden’s historic announcement in July that he would end his own reelection bid and endorse her, said she is “filled with gratitude” for Biden and for “everyone who has put your faith in our campaign.”

Vice President Kamala Harris argued the nation is ready for the "next great chapter" of its story as she formally accepted her party's presidential nomination for president during remarks at the…