Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B., was ordained to the priesthood Friday, May 2, in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, Portsmouth Abbey.

From India to R.I.: Monk ordained at Portsmouth Abbey

PORTSMOUTH — Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B., was ordained to the sacred priesthood Friday, May 2, 2025, in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, Portsmouth Abbey. His ordination was … more

6/5/25

The school community of St. Mary’s in Cranston celebrates their annual Olympic Day. For principal Lisa Lepore the event was a grand finale as she will soon retire from a decades-long career in Catholic education.

Joyful send-off: Olympic fun celebrates St. Mary’s school spirit as beloved principal retires after 39 years

CRANSTON — Summer is nearly in full swing for schools around the diocese as many begin their end-of-year outdoor activities. For St. Mary School in Cranston, that day is known as “Olympic … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/5/25

Special Event Listings for 06.05.25

Ministry offers support and Masses for Recovery PORTSMOUTH — If you or a loved one(s) struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health distress, the Diocese of Providence’s St. Matthias … more

6/5/25

The opening slide of "The Pope Video" for June is seen with Pope Leo XIV's prayer intention for the month: "That the world might grow in compassion." The video was released at the Vatican June 3, 2025.

Pope’s prayer intention for June: That the world grow in compassion

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for June, a month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is “that the world might grow in compassion.” “Let us pray that … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 6/5/25

Local author named finalist as the International Impact Book Awards Author of the Year

HOLLYWOOD — Nim Stant, founder of the International Impact Book Awards, has announced that local author, Paul F. Caranci, of North Providence, was named a finalist as the 2025 Author of the … more

5/29/25

Division in the Catholic Church should be seen as scandalous

In the early 1960s a new Lutheran church was dedicated in the North End of Woonsocket. Ecumenical events on the local level were rare in those days so my curiosity about the affair had to be subtly … more

5/29/25

A woman with a child evacuates from a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 16, 2022.

Europe and America

In 2005, I published a small book entitled “The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God.” It had a fair sale in the U.S. and was translated into French, Spanish, … more

5/29/25

Remembering Alasdair MacIntyre

If you were to ask Catholics of a certain generation to explain why a particular act (take adultery as just one representative example) should be classified as a sin, you would likely hear that it … more

By Father Ryan Connors | 5/29/25

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski offers a blessing over one of the more than a dozen pairs of Catholics from the Hispanic community bringing forth spiritual bouquets of prayer during a Mass he offered amid a roaring nor’easter on Thursday, May 22, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. The participants were pleased that ‘Bishop Bruce’ is fluent in their language and cultural practices.

Hundreds brave nor'easter as the new Bishop of Providence offers Mass for Hispanic community

PROVIDENCE — Even a strong nor’easter with flooding rains was not enough to prevent more than 750 Catholics from pouring into the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Thursday, May 22, to … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/29/25

Pope Leo XIV visits the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, May 25, 2025.

Communion requires prayer, listening, conversion, pope says

ROME (CNS) — Celebrating his first Mass in Rome’s diocesan cathedral, Pope Leo XIV said communion is built primarily “on our knees,” through prayer and a constant commitment … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 5/29/25

Special Event Listing for 05.29.25

Ministry offers support and Masses for Recovery PORTSMOUTH — If you or a loved one(s) struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health distress, the Diocese of Providence’s St. Matthias … more

5/29/25

PC grads told to 'leave the ladder down' for others to follow when success is achieved

PROVIDENCE — Nine hundred and seventy-five men and women crossed the stage of Amica Mutual Pavilion to receive their degrees as the 107th graduating class of Providence College on May 18. … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/29/25

The Class of 2025 puts their mercy mission in motion at the 75th Commencement, conferring 508 bachelor’s degrees.

Salve Regina grads advised not to let hardships discourage them from working to make the world a better place to live in

NEWPORT — Salve Regina University celebrated its 75th annual commencement on Sunday, May 18, on the Salve campus, conferring degrees to 508 undergraduates. Honorary degrees were awarded to … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/29/25

More than 1,000 people gathered at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul for a Mass of Installation to welcome Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, as the 10th Bishop of Providence

A Divine Day in Providence: Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. installed as the 10th Bishop of Providence

PROVIDENCE — As he took his final steps to the front door of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. appeared to be reflecting on the enormity of the moment … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/21/25

On Ascension, absence and true love

By Laura Kelly Fanucci OSV News One year ago, on the feast of the Ascension, we attended Mass in a hotel basement. One of our older kids was in a weekend tournament, and a priest from one of the … more

By Laura Kelly Fanucci, OSV News | 5/21/25

Ringing Out Hope in Nagasaki

The riddle of Japanese Catholicism has long fascinated me. At the end of World War II, Catholics were less than 1 percent of the population of Japan. Today, eighty years later, Catholics are less … more

5/21/25

Redemptorist charism is defined by a commitment to preaching the Good News

Older Catholics might well remember the annual parish mission which men and women attended on separate evenings allowing the preacher to speak frankly about issues thought sensitive at the time. … more

5/21/25

Special Event Listings for 05.22.25

Bristol County Chorus to perform at Holy Angels Church, Barrington BARRINGTON — The Bristol County Chorus, under the direction of Nicholas Rocha, will present their annual spring concert on … more

5/21/25

Bishop Lewandowski’s sister reflects his spirituality in coat of arms

When a priest is named a bishop, one of the things he has to do is create a personal coat of arms. Most turn to a handful of artists in the country who specialize in episcopal heraldry. When Most. … more

By Christopher Gunty, Catholic Review | 5/21/25

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski delivers a heartfelt homily at his farewell Mass at the grand Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore on Sunday, May 4.

A Visit with Bishop Lewandowski

BALTIMORE — About two weeks ago, during his last days as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Providence Bishop-Designate Bruce Lewandowski welcomed Rhode Island Catholic to … more

By Rick Snizek, Executive Editor | 5/21/25