ARBUTUS, Md. — The canonization cause of Mother Mary Lange, founder of the world’s first sustained women’s religious community for Black women, has taken a step forward. Sister … more

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin began the Keep the Heat On challenge on October 31, 2005, to assist those struggling to heat their homes in the frigid New England winters as heating costs reached record … more

In the well-known song, 12 gifts are given to one’s true love on each day of Christmas. By the 12th day, the receiver has accumulated a houseful of seemingly odd and useless gifts — after … more

One of the saddest revisions that occurred after the Second Vatican Council was the elimination of saints from the calendar, from sanctuaries and from prayers. Sts. Christopher and Philomena, Saints John and Paul, among many other of the blessed, were dropped from the church’s list of feast days. more

Father Robert Cassidy was my first pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Pawtucket, 45 years ago. While others might use less kind words, I will write that he was very strict. more

At a recent general audience Pope Benedict spoke about the nature of prayer and its place in the Christian life. He said that prayer is the only way to have a life-giving relationship with God. Even the simplest of prayer can give a person the power to resist evil and do good, the Pope said. “The grace to pray is given to all.” more

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. (Luke 2: 10-11) more

C. S. Lewis was the consoling voice of the BBC on Sunday evenings during London’s dreaded blitz during the Second World War. His sensible, basic, wartime religious themes are found today in his still popular book, Mere Christianity. Lewis also penned the lighter “The Screw Tape Letters” in which the devil guides a novice demon through the steps of effective temptation. The Oxford professor also wrote “The Chronicles of Narnia,” with a sort of early Harry Potter theme, made into a movie in 2005. As an insightful Christian, Professor Lewis once astutely and shrewdly observed that religion is ten percent faith and ninety percent culture. The history of the past half century more than confirms this insight. more

Jesus said to his first disciples, and to all future disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” But political leaders, … more

After Mass on May 21, St. Francis of Assisi Pastor Father Adam Young presented a special plaque to recognize the works of charity being done by the Peace Dale Dinner Table. The initiative … more

During this past summer Pope Francis made a much publicized journey to Canada, chiefly Western Canada, where he lamented and atoned for what he termed the “cultural genocide” visited on … more

Every so often, the Church’s discipline sparks intrigue, especially in a state as culturally Catholic as Rhode Island. Such was the case last week when The Providence Journal’s food … more

  It is with the words “Receive the Gospel and preach the Word of God with all patience and sound teaching,” that the consecrating bishop places the book of the Gospels over the … more

Bishop Richard G. Henning installed Father Christoper Mahar as pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Providence, on Sunday, Nov. 26. In his homily, the bishop spoke of the enormity of the responsibilities … more

A news item told of two homosexual partners from Israel who brought the sperm of one of them to a clinic in India, where the sperm was used to fertilize an egg taken from one woman and then implanted in the womb of another woman. more

Students of Scripture know that Jesus preached more than 40 parables. Some of these thematic tales, like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, are rather lengthy. Others, like the Pearl of Great Price and the Treasure Hidden in the Field, are quite brief. more

Our freshman class at Our Lady of Providence Seminary at Warwick Neck in 1958 was greeted by a senior class that this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary of ordination. more

The following should disturb us. On a sunny afternoon in October 2012, 68-year-old Mamana Bibi, while gathering vegetables in the family fields in northwest Pakistan, was blown into pieces by at least two Hellfire missiles fired from a U.S. drone aircraft. more

As you come to the end of your pilgrimage as a seminarian, do you have any wisdom, or advice to impart to anyone trying to figure out their way in life? One of the most precious gifts I have … more

In March, Mercymount Country Day School hosted a playoff tournament for third and fourth grade girls instructional basketball teams that included Mercymount, St. Pius and Saint Augustine. Saint … more