Posted on 02/27/2026 03:02 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
The Vatican newspaper devoted the most prominent article in its
February 26 edition to the third anniversary of the
Calabria migrant boat disaster, in which 94 migrants drowned as they attempted to reach Italy.
“I think of the parish priest of Cutro who, in those days, could only go home for a shower, and then return to those beaches to collect bodies,” said Archbishop Alberto Torriani of Crotone-Santa Severina, who lamented “the hatred that increasingly insinuates itself into relationships, between people.”
Archbishop Claudio Maniago of Catanzaro-Squillace, vice president of the Calabrian Episcopal Conference, called on the region’s people “not to turn a blind eye”: “as bishops of Calabria, comes the duty to raise a voice in this silence, so that people realize that there are brothers and sisters seeking a dignified life.”
Posted on 02/27/2026 03:02 AM (CatholicCulture.org - Catholic World News)
A heated controversy at the University of Notre Dame has apparently been resolved, with Susan Ostermann, who had been appointed to head the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, announcing that she would not accept the post.
Posted on 02/27/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
Today is the Optional Memorial St. Gregory of Narek (950-1005). St Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher, theologian, writer and saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Catholic Church was born into a family of writers. Based in the monastery of Narek (Narekavank), he was "Armenia's first great poet" and as "the watchful angel in human form." His commemoration was added to the General Roman Calendar in 2021.
Posted on 02/26/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
In certain ways the Lenten Christian is like the Jew in exile. He is still exposed to the attacks of the enemies. Lent, like the exile in Babylon, is a time of cleansing. It intends to create in us a greater desire and longing for deliverance which God has promised us through our savior Jesus Christ. All the chants and prayers in today's Mass are urgent pleas for God's mercy and help.
Posted on 02/25/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
Today is Ember Wednesday, the beginning of the Spring or Lent Embertide. There are two principal objects for the Ember Days of this period of the year: the first is to offer to God the season of Spring, and, by fasting and prayer, to draw down His blessing upon it; the second is to ask Him to enrich with His choicest graces the priests and sacred ministers who are to receive their Ordination on Saturday. See also Contemporary Observation of Ember Days and Lenten Ember Days for more information.
Posted on 02/24/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
The readings and propers of the Mass shows the Church's constant effort to acquaint us with the teaching of her Founder, and to strengthen us to follow and live his teachings. Mere formalism and externalism are of no value in the religion of Christ. God demands of his people a worship in spirit and in truth, and a conversion which comes from the heart.
Posted on 02/23/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
The great themes--the annual catechumenate by which all the people of the Church are renewed in the baptismal promises they repeat at the Easter Vigil; the adventure of God in salvation history and in the coming of the Kingdom in the person of Jesus; and the invitation to deeper friendship with Christ through a more intimate embrace of His Passion and Death--shape the liturgical rhythm of Lent.
Posted on 02/22/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
From the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A: At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:1-4)
Posted on 02/21/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
Not only fasting, private prayer, and almsgiving, but also corporate worship helps to form the thorough Christian. All worship centers in Christ, the one mediator. His presence and priesthood are the hope of the world Through Him as their Head, all His members give the Trinity due homage, thanksgiving, and reparation. By worshiping together, men express their dependence upon one another and deepen their vital unity.
Posted on 02/20/2026 00:00 AM (Catholic Culture Liturgical Year)
The first four Masses in Lent serve as a general introduction to Lent. They describe the essentials of a Lenten program. This Mass is concerned with fasting and teaches us what true fasting is. The Opening Prayer of today's Mass asks God to guide the Lenten penance we have begun.
