Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

ASL interpreted Masses for Holy Week, Easter PROVIDENCE — The ASL interpreted Masses for Holy Week and Easter at St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith St., are as follows: Holy Thursday Mass of the … more

4/17/25

Local Catholics gathered for Palm Sunday Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Providence. Pictured at right center, Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, diocesan administrator, celebrated Holy Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord at Holy Apostles Church, Cranston. At right, Father Nathan J. Ricci, J.C.L., vice chancellor of the Diocese of Providence celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, with Father Ryan Connors, S.T.D., Rector, concelebrating. The Mass began with the blessing of the palms and a procession with all the OLP seminarians around the seminary into the chapel, and included the solemn chanting of the Passion Narrative. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

Palm Sunday in the Diocese of Providence

4/17/25

Retirement Fund for Religious

The Office for Planning and Financial Services reports the following donor contributions in support of the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection taken up in the parishes of the Diocese on the … more

4/17/25

Save the Date: Holy Mass of Installation for Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.

PROVIDENCE — You are invited to the Holy Mass of Installation for Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to be celebrated Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 2 p.m. (procession to begin at 1:30 … more

4/11/25

A visit with the original Apostolic band, what they saw and passed on

The prophet Mohammed was not only an insightful preacher he was also a capable and quite successful military leader. Within his lifetime, most of Asia Minor and much of North Africa had been wrested … more

4/10/25

St. John Paul II greets the crowd in Czestochowa during his 1979 trip to Poland. The pontiff later became St. John Paul II when he was canonized April 27, 2014.

Pope St. John Paul II, Doctor of the Church?

The Catholic Church is prudently patient in awarding the title “Doctor of the Church” to her greatest teachers. However luminous someone’s explication of the truths of the Catholic … more

4/10/25

The Pope Shows us the Power of the Anointing of the Sick

For weeks the faithful waited to hear news of Pope Francis’s well-being. Prayers, novenas, rosaries and Masses were all offered for his health. Several times it seemed like he would not … more

4/10/25

We Don’t Fast Anymore as Catholics

Fasting is a form of penance that imposes limits on our consumption of food and drink. For centuries, it has been an integral part of Catholic life throughout the year to detach ourselves from … more

4/10/25

The goal of the Office of the Apostolate with People with Disabilities is to follow Jesus’s example and continue his ministry of bringing healing and salvation to all, but in a special way to the people they serve.

Providence parish offers Holy Week Masses for those with intellectual, developmental disabilities

PROVIDENCE — Ahead of Holy Week, one Providence parish in particular is offering people of all abilities experience the life and love of Christ. St. Patrick Church, located at 244 Smith St., … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 4/10/25

Local author’s book chronicles parish mission work in Haiti

By Jennifer Barton Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent HOPE VALLEY — “A forty-five-minute flight from Disneyworld, children are starving to death.” This was the message Kiki Latimer … more

4/10/25

Special Event Listings for 04.10.25

Archbishop Richard G. Henning to celebrate Chrism Mass PROVIDENCE — All are invited to attend the Chrism Mass on Monday, April 14, 6 p.m., at the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul. The … more

4/10/25

Pope Francis greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square at the end of the closing Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers at the Vatican April 6, 2025.

Pope begins to receive very limited visits

VATICAN CITY — As Pope Francis continues his recovery at the Vatican, he is very slowly beginning to get back to his old routine of meeting with top Vatican officials, the Vatican press office … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 4/10/25

Pope Francis appoints Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. the tenth Bishop of Providence

It is with great joy we share that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bruce Alan Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., as the tenth Bishop of Providence! Bishop … more

4/8/25

‘Today, I give you my heart,’ Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., tells Rhode Islanders following his official appointment as the tenth Bishop of Providence

Tenth bishop of Providence appointed, seeks closeness with his flock on the journey

PROVIDENCE — There were several emotion-filled moments Tuesday as Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Alan Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., took to the podium only four hours after being named by Pope … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 4/8/25

Rhode Island Catholic wins two more New England Press Association awards

PORTLAND, Maine — On Saturday, March 29, the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) presented awards across 35 categories, highlighting the top newspaper and online news sites … more

4/3/25

Special Event Listing for 04.03.25

Archbishop Richard G. Henning to celebrate Chrism Mass PROVIDENCE — All are invited to attend the Chrism Mass on Monday, April 14, 6 p.m., at the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul. The … more

4/3/25

Carmela Mancuso joins hundreds of people in praying the rosary for Pope Francis' health in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 14, 2025. Just before leaving the hospital March 23, Pope Francis pointed to Mancuso in the crowd at Rome's Gemelli hospital, carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers.

Pope’s return from hospital coincides with Vatican conference on aging

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even though its focus was mainly scientific, a Vatican-sponsored conference on aging and longevity could not ignore the ongoing convalescence of 88-year-old Pope Francis. … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 4/3/25

Opening our hearts to divine grace

The Hebrew Scriptures do not mince their words when it comes to the punishment suitable for adultery. The Book of Leviticus, reflecting the traditions of the southern Jews in Judea, clearly provides … more

4/3/25

Loving sinners, admonishing sin

Matthew, Zaccheus, Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well, the one caught in adultery, the sinful woman at the house of Simon the Pharisee, tax collectors, sinners, and Samaritans: the list of … more

By Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, OSV News | 4/3/25

Diocese of Providence finances in 'solid financial shape' following annual audit

PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence finished the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, in a sound financial position, with total diocesan assets up $19 million over the previous year, and a … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 4/3/25