Friday, October 16, 2026

Saint of the Day for Saturday

St. Ignatius of Antioch

"I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire."

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - The second Bishop of Antioch, Syria, this disciple of the beloved Disciple John was consecrated Bishop around the year 69 by the Apostle Peter, the first Pope. A holy man who was deeply loved by the Christian faithful, he always made it his special care to defend “orthodoxy” (right teaching) and “orthopraxy” (right practice) among the early Christians.

In 107, during the reign of the brutal Emperor Trajan, this holy Bishop was wrongfully sentenced to death because he refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was taken under guard to Rome where he was to be brutally devoured by wild beasts in a public spectacle. During his journey, his travels took him through Asia Minor and Greece. He made good use of the time by writing seven letters of encouragement, instruction and inspiration to the Christians in those communities. We still have these letters as a great treasure of the Church today.

The content of the letters addressed the hierarchy and structure of the Church as well as the content of the orthodox Christian faith. It was Bishop Ignatius who first used the term “catholic” to describe the whole Church. These letters connect us to the early Church and the unbroken, clear teaching of the Apostles which was given to them directly by Jesus Christ. They also reveal the holiness of a man of God who became himself a living letter of Christ. The shedding his blood in the witness of holy martyrdom was the culmination of a life lived conformed to Jesus Christ. Ignatius sought to offer himself, in Christ, for the sake of the Church which he loved. His holy martyrdom occurred in the year 107.

In his pastoral letters he regularly thanked his brother and sister Christians for their concern for his well being but insisted on following through in his final witness of fidelity: "I know what is to my advantage. At last I am becom¬ing his disciple. May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs-let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ. I would rather die and come to Jesus Christ than be king over the entire earth. Him I seek who died for us; him I love who rose again because of us."

Bishop Ignatius was not afraid of death. He knew that it had been defeated by the Master. He followed the Lord Jesus into his Passion, knowing that he would rise with Him in his Resurrection. He wrote to the disciples in Rome: "Permit me to imitate my suffering God ... I am God's wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ.” The beauty of this Eucharistic symbolism in these words reflects the deep theology of a mystic. He was dedicated to defending the true teaching handed down by the Apostles so that the brothers and sisters in the early Christian communities, and we who stand on their shoulders, would never be led astray by false teaching. He urged them to always listen to their Bishops because they were the successors of the Apostles. He died a Martyrs death in Rome, devoured by two lions in one of the cruel demonstrations of Roman excess and animosity toward the true faith. Anticipating this event he wrote these inspired words:

A letter to the Romans by St Ignatius of Antioch

“I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals. I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God. No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.

The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. Do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. If you have him in your heart, you will understand what I wish. You will sympathize with me because you will know what urges me on.

The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God’s side. Do not talk about Jesus Christ as long as you love this world. Do not harbor envious thoughts. And supposing I should see you, if then I should beg you to intervene on my behalf, do not believe what I say. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you – still - my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: “Come to the Father.” I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world. I want only God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed of the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.

I am no longer willing to live a merely human life, and you can bring about my wish if you will. Please, then, do me this favour, so that you in turn may meet with equal kindness. Put briefly, this is my request: believe what I am saying to you. Jesus Christ himself will make it clear to you that I am saying the truth. Only truth can come from that mouth by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God. If I am condemned to suffer, I will take it that you wish me well. If my case is postponed, I can only think that you wish me harm.”

Despite still being hospitalized, Pope Leo XIV calls Russian President Putin demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Oleshky in Ukraine

Pope

Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Russian President

Speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Leo XIV expresses his "deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region," and calls for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office released a statement on Friday afternoon, saying that Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," said the statement.

"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace," it concluded.

Pope Leo has been in Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday when he underwent an operation which removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

He previously spoke by phone with President Putin on June 4, 2025. The city of Oleshky lies along the frontline of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, on the banks of the Dnieper River

New statistics show the worldwide Catholic Church is still on the grow...

Vietnamese Catholics attend the beatification of Fr. Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep on July 2, 2026

Church

Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward

Ahead of World Mission Sunday, the Vatican’s Fides news agency releases the 2026 Church Statistics report, recording a rising number of Catholics on every continent, more priests, and fewer religious sisters and major seminarians.

Vatican News

The number of Catholics worldwide rose by 16.69 million to 1.422 billion, according to the Catholic Church Statistics 2026 dossier prepared by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency.

The number of priests also increased slightly, while the totals for women religious and major seminarians continued to fall.

Fides prepared the dossier for the 100th World Mission Sunday, to be celebrated on October 18 under the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.”

Its figures come from the latest Church statistical yearbook. Population and Catholic figures refer to June 30, 2024; the remaining figures refer to December 31, 2024. Changes are measured against 2023.

Growth across the continents

Catholics accounted for 17.8 percent of a global population of almost 8 billion. Their numbers increased on every continent, led by Africa, with 7.58 million more Catholics, and the Americas, with 6.99 million more. Asia gained 968,000, Europe 911,000, and Oceania 239,000.

The Americas remained home to the largest number of Catholics, at 678.87 million. Africa, with 288.31 million, counted slightly more Catholics than Europe’s 287.24 million. Asia had 156.17 million and Oceania 11.56 million.

Priests rise slightly; seminarians decline

“For the first time in five years, there is an increase in the total number of priests in the world,” the Fides dossier says.

The total reached 407,421, up 425 from the previous year. Growth in Africa (+1,676), Asia (+1,065), and the Americas (+199) outweighed declines in Europe (-2,483) and Oceania (-32).

Diocesan priests numbered 279,238, an increase of 496, while religious priests fell by 71 to 128,183.

The average number of Catholics per priest nevertheless rose by 38 to 3,491. The dossier also recorded 5,525 Bishops, up by 95, and 52,102 permanent deacons, up by 669.

Women religious declined by 9,292 to 580,131. Africa was the only continent to register an increase in religious sisters, gaining 2,190, while Europe recorded the largest decline, of 6,473.

The number of major seminarians fell by 2,891 to 103,604. Only Africa saw growth, with 786 more seminarians; Asia registered the sharpest fall, of 2,733. Minor seminarians numbered 94,041, down 980.

Lay mission and service

Lay missionaries increased by 18,473 to 463,079, while catechists rose by 22,370 to 2,889,336. The largest gains among lay missionaries were in the Americas; catechist numbers grew most in the Americas and Asia.

The Church also runs 75,448 kindergartens, 103,666 primary schools, and 51,810 secondary schools. Its healthcare and charitable network comprises 101,110 facilities, including 5,397 hospitals and 13,646 dispensaries.

Africa has the largest number of both hospitals and dispensaries in the dossier’s continental figures.

Child cancer patients send prayers and letters to Pope Leo XIV

Pope

'Faith moves mountains' - Child cancer patients write to Pope Leo

As Pope Leo XIV recovers from his lung operation at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, child cancer patients at the hospital's pediatric oncology ward have reassured him of their prayers, reiterating that "faith moves mountains."

By Deborah Castellano Lubov and Benedetta Capelli

As Pope Leo XIV recovers at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following his successful lung surgery on Tuesday, children in the hospital’s oncology ward sent him letters and drawings.

The Holy See Press Office released images of their messages and artwork on Friday, in which they offer the Holy Father words of encouragement and sharing their own experiences of illness and hope.

‘My mom and I pray for you every evening’

Angelo, seven, had been hospitalized for 36 days.

In his letter, he explained that he came from Taurisano, in the province of Lecce, and, like the Pope, was staying on the hospital’s tenth floor, after having undergone his own operation, head surgery.

“My mom and I pray for you every evening,” he wrote. “I wish you a speedy recovery.”

He also sent the Pope a drawing of a tree whose leaves were beginning to fall, a meadow, and many birds flying through the sky beneath a large, bright sun.

‘Faith moves mountains’

Eleonora, who came from an Italian-Chilean family, had been receiving treatment in the Neurosurgery and Oncology Department of the children’s hospital.

Her mother, Maria Graziela, explained in their family's letter written in Spanish that the little girl was now healthy and reflected on their experience of faith.

“Faith moves mountains,” she wrote.

“God has heard our prayers,” she added, thanks to the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Fatima, and the Archangel Raphael.

In the letter, she also entrusted the Bishop of Rome to their care, asking God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with the guardian angels, to protect him.

“Pope Leo, our prayers are for you,” they reassured, praying, “May God, the Most Holy Virgin, and the guardian angels always protect you.”

‘Better days will come. We are united in prayer’

Giorgia, 18, wrote to the Holy Father in English, explaining how her world had been turned upside down and how she had had to put her dreams on hold to focus on her health.

Yet, through this experience, she had discovered gratitude for being cared for and having the opportunity to recover.

She reflected on how illness had changed her, both for better and for worse, and how things she had once taken for granted had acquired a new value.

“I believe what they say is true, that you can find something good in everything,” she wrote.

She told Pope Leo that, “When I heard on the news about you and your situation, I felt it a thousand times harder, because in some ways we are going through the same thing, and it made me feel closer to you.”

Finally, Giorgia said she was praying to God that they might both recover and asked the Pope to pray with her.

“Better days will come for the both of us. I'm sure of that,” she wrote. “We are united in prayer for us and for those facing the same situation."

Pope Leo XIV recovery continues; he actually celebrated Mass today for hospital staff

Pope

Pope continues 'steady improvement,' celebrates Mass for Gemelli staff

On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm "the steady improvement in his overall condition," and the Pope celebrates Mass for several members of the Gemelli Hospital medical staff.

Vatican News

On Friday afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released a statement from Pope Leo XIV's doctors, who said his postoperative recovery continues with steady improvement.

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope "underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition."

They added that "respiratory physiotherapy sessions have continued," noting that his "postoperative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities entirely independently."

The Holy See Press Office said separately that Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at noon in the room set up on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, noting that he distributed Communion.

Several members of Gemelli's medical and nursing staff attended the Mass, along with members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps.

"In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff—doctors, nurses, and orderlies—for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him," read a statement.

The Holy See Press Office said the Sunday noon-day Angelus, normally led by the Pope, "will take place."

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for Gemelli staff on Friday

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Saint #2 for Friday: The patron Saint of expectant mothers

St. Gerard Majella

Feast day: October 16
Patron: of expectant mothers
Death: 1755
Beatified: January 29, 1893, by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized: December 11, 1904, by Pope Saint Pius X

St. Gerard Majella is the patron of expectant mothers. He was born in 1726 in Muro, Italy to a family of seven. Majella grew up in a poverty with a great respect for the poor. As he was just 12 when his father passed away, he was forced to grow up fast. Shortly after his father's death, his mother sent him away to live with his uncle and learn to become a tailor, like his father. After a few years of working as a sewing apprentice, Majella took on a job with the local Bishop of Lacedonia as a servant.

Once Majella began earning money as a journeyman at the age of 21, he split his earnings with his mother, the poor of Muro and the rest in offerings for the poor souls. As the days passed, Majella began to grow pale and thin, often fasting and in prayer at a nearby Cathedral.

He applied to the Capuchin monastery at Muro twice, but was turned down both times. Majella was told his health was not well enough for such a strenuous life. However, Majella did not give up. In 1749, at the age of 23, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and just three years later became a professed lay brother.

Majella lived with the three vows of Poverty, Chasity and Obedience. He stayed close with the poor and worked very many different jobs. He served as sacristan, gardener, porter, infirmarian, and tailor. However, because of his great piety, extraordinary wisdom, and his gift of reading consciences, he was permitted to counsel communities of religious women. Majella was often called on by the poor and the sick. Wherever his presence was demanded he graciously presented himself. He was there to "do the Will of God."

This humble servant of God also had faculties associated with certain mystics including, levitation, bi-location and the ability to read souls. His charity, obedience, and selfless service as well as his ceaseless mortification for Christ, made him the perfect model of lay brothers.

Throughout his years of life, several reported miracles are tied to Majella including, restoring a boy's life after he fell from a high cliff; blessing a poor farmer's crops, ridding it of mice; blessing a poor family's supply of wheat, causing it to last until the next harvest; and he multiplied bread for the poor on several occasions.

Along with his miracles effected through prayers for woman in labor, Majella's last recorded miracle is one that many credit toward his becoming the patron of expectant mothers. Shortly before his death, Majella encountered a young girl. He had dropped his handkerchief, and she set out to return it, only to be told to keep it. Majella told her she "may need it someday." Years after Majella's passing, the young girl became married and with child. She unexpectedly went into labor and was on the verge of losing her baby. She called for Majella's handkerchief to be applied to her. Almost immediately, her pain abated and she proceeded to give birth to a healthy child, something very rare during that time.

His prayers are sought for the children, unborn children, women in childbirth, mothers, expectant mothers, motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy.

Even as Majella became ill with tuberculosis, he only desired to live in God's will. His one last request was that a small placard be placed on his door stating, "Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills." Majella was told the Will of God wanted him to get better, and almost at once he became well. However, this only lasted for a month and quickly he became very ill once again. St. Gerard Majella died of disease on October 16, 1755 at the age of 29, living in the religious life for six years.

Due to the numerous miracles performed through Majella's prayers, proceedings for his canonization began shortly after his death. In 1893, Majella was beatified by Pope Leo XIII and on December 11, 1904, Pope Pius X canonized the man of God.

Saint #1 for Friday is the French Visitation nun & mystic - devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Feastday: October 16
Patron: of those suffering with polio, devotees of the Sacred Heart, loss of parents
Birth: July 22, 1647
Death: October 17, 1690
Beatified: September 18, 1864, Rome by Pope Pius IX
Canonized: May 13, 1920, Vatican City, by Pope Benedict XV

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Roman Catholic Visitation nun and mystic, is greatly recognized for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

She was born in 1647 in France as the only daughter of Claude and Philiberte Lamyn Alacoque. Margaret has always shown an intense love for the Blessed Sacrament and preferred silence over typical childhood play. She began practicing severe corporal mortification after her first communion at 9-years-old.

She continued this until rheumatic fever confined her to her bed for four years. After making a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary to consecrate herself to religious life, Margaret instantly returned to perfect health. In recognition of this favor, Margaret added the name Mary to her baptismal name.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of Jesus Christ for most of her life, but thought they were a normal part of life and continued to practice austerity.

After the death of her father, Margaret and her family were forced into poverty when a relative refused to hand over the family's assets. Margaret's only comfort in life was her frequent visits to pray before the Blessed Sacrament at a local church.

At 17-years-old, Margaret's family was able to regain control of their assets. Margaret's mother started encouraging her to become more social, in hopes she would find a suitable husband.

One night, after attending a ball in an evening dress, Margaret had a vision of Christ, scourged and bloody. He accused Margaret of forgetting about him. He showed her that His heart was full of love for her because of the promise she made to His Blessed Mother as a child. After this vision, Margaret was determined to fulfill the vow she made years ago. She entered the Visitation Convent at Paray-le-Monial in May 1671 to become a nun.

St. Margaret Mary was admitted to wearing the religious habit in August 1671 but was not officially admitted to profession until November 1672. Although she was described as humble, simple, kind and patient, Margaret had to prove the authenticity of her vocation.

During her time in this monastery, Margaret received several private revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These visions showed her the "form of the devotion, the chief features being reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic adoration during a 'Holy hour' on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart." The Lord Jesus requested His love be made evident through her.

In her vision, she was instructed to spend an hour every Thursday night meditating on Jesus' Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, a practice, known as "The Holy Hour," that later became widespread.

In December 1673, Jesus appeared to Margaret Mary again, and allowed her to rest her head on His heart. His human heart was to be the symbol of His divine-human love. He revealed to her the wonders of His love. He explained to her that he wished to make these wonders known to all the world, and that He chose her for His work.

Margaret Mary convinced her superior, Mother de Saumaise, her visions were authentic. However, she struggled with convincing others of the validity of her apparitions, even those in her own community. A group of theologians declared her visions delusions and suggested she eat better. Even parents of children she instructed began calling her an imposter.

Margaret eventually gained the support from the community's confessor, St. Claude de la Colombiere, who declared her visions were genuine. Finally, all opposition from the community, regarding Margaret's visions, ended in 1683, when Margaret Mary became the assistant to the Superior.

St. Margaret Mary, who later became known as Novice Mistress, led the monastery in observing the Feast of the Sacred Heart privately, and inspired the construction of a chapel built to honor the Sacred Heart.

Margaret Mary died a couple of years later, at the age of 43, on October 17, 1690, while being anointed. She spoke the words, "I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus."

After her death, the devotion to the Sacred Heart was adopted by the Jesuits but remained controversial within the Church. The practice did not become officially recognized until 75 years later.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was the topic of discussion long after hear death. People talked about her mission and qualities, her revelations and spiritual maxims and her teachings on the Sacred Heart. On September 18, 1864, Margaret Mary was beatified by Pope Pius IX. When her tomb was opened a few years later, two immediate cures took place and her body laid incorrupt.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was officially canonized on May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and, in 1928, Pope Pius XI upheld the Church's position regarding the credibility behind her visions of Jesus Christ. He stated Jesus "manifested Himself" to Margaret and the chief features of devotion to the Sacred Heart are "reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic adoration during a 'Holy hour' on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart."

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the patron saint of devotees of the Sacred Heart, and those suffering with polio and from the loss of parents. Her feast day is celebrated on October 16. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Roman Catholic Visitation nun and mystic, is greatly recognized for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of Jesus Christ for most of her life, but thought they were a normal part of life and continued to practice austerity.

At 17-years-old, Margaret's family was able to regain control of their assets. Margaret's mother started encouraging her to become more social, in hopes she would find a suitable husband.

In her vision, she was instructed to spend an hour every Thursday night meditating on Jesus' Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, a practice, known as "The Holy Hour," that later became widespread.

Margaret Mary died a couple of years later, at the age of 43, on October 17, 1690, while being anointed. She spoke the words, "I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus."

After her death, the devotion to the Sacred Heart was adopted by the Jesuits but remained controversial within the Church. The practice did not become officially recognized until 75 years later.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the patron saint of devotees of the Sacred Heart, and those suffering with polio and from the loss of parents. Her feast day is celebrated on October 16.

Catholic School students in Chicago prepare care packages for native-born Pope Leo XIV

Pope

Chicago school students prepare care package for Pope Leo XIV

As Pope Leo XIV recovers from lung surgery in hospital, a group of students from his hometown of Chicago are sending him get-well cards and Chicago White Sox blanket.

Vatican News

Students from a Catholic school in Pope Leo XIV’s hometown of Chicago are preparing a "care package" for him as he recovers in hospital following lung surgery.

Local media outlets reported on Wednesday that students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy were planning to send the Pope items including get-well cards and a Chicago White Sox blanket.

The students are part of Team 14, a group of some 40 students named after Pope Leo XIV. They went viral on social media after staging a mock conclave last year, and some of them subsequently travelled to Rome to meet the Pope.

They have also been organizing monthly prayer and service meetings, including food drives to help the less fortunate.

"It feels nice to wish [the Pope] well because he's like a close friend and I was really sad when I heard when he was sick," one 6th-grade student said, according to ABC7 Chicago.

"I was a little nervous for Pope Leo because I've met him and he has a big role and I want him to stay healthy," an 8th-grade student added.

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, during which doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

The Holy See Press Office said in a statement on Wednesday that the Pope had undergone scheduled blood tests and chest X-ray, which confirmed that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally.

abitadeacon

Friday, October 16, 2026

Saint of the Day for Saturday

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Despite still being hospitalized, Pope Leo XIV calls Russian President Putin demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Oleshky in Ukraine

Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Russian President

New statistics show the worldwide Catholic Church is still on the grow...

Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward

Growth across the continents

Priests rise slightly; seminarians decline

Lay mission and service

Child cancer patients send prayers and letters to Pope Leo XIV

'Faith moves mountains' - Child cancer patients write to Pope Leo

‘My mom and I pray for you every evening’

‘Faith moves mountains’

‘Better days will come. We are united in prayer’

Pope Leo XIV recovery continues; he actually celebrated Mass today for hospital staff

Pope continues 'steady improvement,' celebrates Mass for Gemelli staff

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Saint #2 for Friday: The patron Saint of expectant mothers

St. Gerard Majella

Saint #1 for Friday is the French Visitation nun & mystic - devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Catholic School students in Chicago prepare care packages for native-born Pope Leo XIV

Chicago school students prepare care package for Pope Leo XIV

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