Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

A Deep Faith in Jesus as Savior is expected of every authentic Christian

The early Church did not lose track of the close-knit family from Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. According to an ancient tradition, Martha, Mary and Lazarus left behind their country home and … more

3/19/26

Give Us the Oil of Gladness!

Salad needs it. Cars need it. Some furnaces still run on it. Even clothing is made of it. We need it too! Who doesn’t love rich olive oil with crusty Italian bread? Haven’t you slathered on the … more

3/19/26

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., leads a 24-hour “Pilgrimage for Prayer and Advocacy” to Capitol Hill. By meeting with congressional leaders, including Rep. Gabe Amo of Providence District 1, pictured at left, to push for meaningful immigration reform and protections for the vulnerable, the Bishop and his fellow pilgrims from the Diocese of Providence are proving that faith and action must go hand-in-hand.

‘Going Big’ for Immigrants: Bishop and R.I. Pilgrims Take Advocacy to Washington

WASHINGTON — In encouraging maximum dedication to the three pillars of Lent this season—prayer, penance and almsgiving—Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., has implored the faithful to “Go … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 3/12/26

Mass to mark the annual Aid to the Church in Need "Red Wednesday" commemoration for persecuted Christians at St. George's Cathedral in London Nov. 22, 2023.

Vatican Envoy at United Nations: Religious Freedom is a Fundamental Right, Not a ‘Privilege’

(OSV News) — The Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations in Geneva called on governments and international organizations to strengthen religious freedom protections for persecuted … more

By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News | 3/12/26

Office of Compliance Reflects an Enduring Commitment to Accountability, Transparency and Protection of the Most Vulnerable

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office Report has prompted renewed discussion about how the Diocese of Providence safeguards children and investigates allegations of abuse. Scrutiny of any … more

By Kevin O’Brien, & Robert A. Creamer | 3/12/26

Might Does Not Always Make Right, or Even Sense

The “Melian Dialogue,” from Thucydides’s classic “History of the Peloponnesian War,” is the foundational text of the realist school of international relations theory. It’s 416 b.c., and … more

3/12/26

Finding the Good Shepherd in the Lenten Journey

Two of Israel’s great leaders—perhaps the greatest leaders—were the prophet Moses and the king, David. Moses famously led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, through a forty year desert trek, … more

3/12/26

Diocese has long maintained a high level of child and youth protection standards

PROVIDENCE — In addition to abiiding by the national standards set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), each diocese is also encouraged to develop its own diocesan regulations to … more

By COLE DeSANTIS, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/12/26

Special Event Listings for 03.12.26

Traditional Irish Breakfast at Council Hall NORTH KINGSTOWN — The Knights of Columbus, 1265 Tower Hill Road, will hold a traditional Irish Breakfast on Sunday, March 15, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. The … more

3/12/26

Diocese of Providence's Response to The Attorney General Report

Any abuse of children is an abhorrent sin and a terrible crime. It is a scourge on our society wherever it occurs—in homes, schools, sports, or our religious and civic organizations. When the abuse … more

3/12/26

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., leads the third in a monthly series of Rosary Prayer encounters for migrants on a snowy Feb. 7, outside the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, where many are being housed pending deportation. On March 5, Bishop Lewandowski will lead a Pilgrimage of Prayer and Advocacy to Washington, D.C., putting faith into action as he and 35 representatiove from the diocese advocate for more favorable immigration policies with members of the Ocean State’s federal delegation.

A Call for Compassion: United States Bishops Demand Immigration Reform

PROVIDENCE — Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., joined 17 brother U.S. Catholic bishops last week in signing a statement on recommended reforms to immigration enforcement in the U.S. The … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 3/5/26

A portrait of Brown University student Ella Cook rests among candles and flowers at the Brown-RISD Catholic Community in Providence. Cook, a faithful member of the BRCC and pro-life advocate, was one of two victims, including Mukhammad Aziz Umurzoko, killed in a shooting that shook the Rhode Island community last December.

'Christ Never Left Us': How Brown's Catholic Community is Healing After Tragedy

PROVIDENCE — When shots rang out at Brown University last December, the immediate reaction for students was to find cover. But in the days that followed the deaths of Brown University students Ella … more

By Chelsea Thorpe, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/5/26

Special Event Listings for 03.05.26

St. James Church All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Supper MANVILLE — St. James Church, 33 Division St., will host an all-you-can-eat pasta and meatball supper on Saturday, March 7 (snow date March 8), from … more

3/5/26

Linger in the Ashes

The Communion procession was winding down, and the priest was tending to the last few communicants in line when a loud noise caught the attention of everyone in the packed church. The church door had … more

3/5/26

Pope Leo XIV reads his Christmas message before giving his solemn blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV’s New Book ‘Peace Be with You!’: A Spiritual Roadmap for a Wounded World

VATICAN CITY — The following is the text of Pope Leo XIV’s introduction to his book “Peace Be with You!” published by HarperCollins and available in bookstores in the United States and … more

By Pope Leo XIV, Vatican News, OSV News | 3/5/26

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and the start of the six weeks of prayer and penitence before Easter.

Recharging Lent

At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the holy Communion line was down to its last person. Suddenly, a young woman hurried down the aisle just as the priest was turning back to the altar. Obviously, a latecomer. … more

By Effie Caldarola, OSV News | 3/5/26

Holy Marriages Make Holy Families

The Catechism states that the Sacrament of Marriage is a “covenant, by which a man and woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, and has been founded and endowed with its … more

3/5/26

Water was a witness to creation, continues to play a vital role in religious history

Although the Sacred Scriptures certainly credit God the Father with the creation of the world, in fact, the whole universe, one important natural element might have gotten the jump on God Himself. … more

3/5/26

Thank a Ref: Celebrating the Officials Who Make the Catholic Athletic League Possible

The Catholic Athletic League celebrated a “Thank the Ref Weekend” in January as a way for coaches and players to convey their gratitude to the referees who make the games possible. Pictured at … more

3/5/26

From Pompeii to Pavia: Pope Leo XIV to make 6 pastoral visits throughout Italy

ROME (OSV News) -- Pope Leo XIV is heading across Italy in a series of one-day and half-day pastoral visits stretching from the shadow of Mount Vesuvius to the shores of the Adriatic Sea. The Vatican … more

By OSV News | 2/26/26