Saint of the Day for Friday; it's a New Jersey girl

 

Bl. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich

Feastday: May 8
Patron:
Birth: 1901
Death: 1927
Beatified: Pope Francis on October 4, 2014, in Newark, New Jersey
Canonized:

Miriam Teresa Demjanovich was born March 26, 1901, in Bayonne, New Jersey. She was the youngest of seven children and received her baptism, confirmation and her first Holy Communion in the Byzantine Ruthenian rite of her immigrant parents.

By the time she graduated from Bayonne High School in January 1917, she felt a calling to become a Carmelite but remained home to care for her ailing mother.

When her mother died the following November, her family encouraged Miriam to attend the College of Saint Elizabeth at Convent Station, New Jersey. She decided to attend and graduated with the highest honors in 1923 with a literature degree.

Miriam continued to long for a religious life but was unsure of which community to enter. While she decided, she accepts a teaching position at the Academy of Saint Aloysius in Jersey City. Several noted her humility and genuine piety, as she was often discovered kneeling in the college chapel. Her devotion to praying the rosary was also observed by many.

In her first-year teaching, Miriam joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Parish choir, the Blessed Virgin Sodality, and was a member of a parish community associated with the National Catholic Welfare Conference.

All summer and fall of 1924, Miriam prayed for discernment and asked God for direction. She attempted to join the Discalced Carmelite nuns in the Bronx, New York, but was told to wait a few years due to various health issues she suffered.

When she returned home, her family suggested she live for God by serving in a teaching order.

During that year's Feast of the Immaculate Conception, she made a novena. On December 8, she believed she was being called to enter the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth and planned to enter the convent February 2, 1925.

Unfortunately, Miriam's father passed away after catching a cold. Even if he had been well, Miriam's entrance was delayed nearly two weeks - February 11, 1925, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

When Miriam was ready to enter the convent, her brother, Charles Demjanovich, who was a priest, and two of her sisters accompanied her.

She was admitted to the novitiate of the religious congregation and received the religious habit on May 17, 1925.

As she never received an official transfer of rite, she remained a Byzantine Rite Catholic during her time as a Religious Sister in a Roman Rite congregation.

The following year, her spiritual leader, Father Benedict Bradley, asked her to write the conferences for the novitiate. She wrote twenty-six conferences, which were published following her death in a collection called Greater Perfection.

In 1926, Miriam became very ill and was forced to undergo a tonsillectomy. She was severely weak and required help to return to the convent. A few days later, she volunteered to help in the infirmary but was told to "pull [herself] together."

Father Bradley worried over her health and called her brother, who then called his sister who was a nurse.

Miriam's sister took one look at Miriam and took her straight to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with "physical and nervous exhaustion, with myocarditis and acute appendicitis."

Miriam was quite weak and the doctors feared she would not survive an operation, so they waited.

Unfortunately, her condition worsened.

It was not until May 6, 1927, than Miriam had an operation for the appendicitis. Unfortunately, she passed away two days later on May 8.

Miriam's funeral was held May 11, 1927, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, New Jersey and she was buried at Holy Family Cemetery on the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth grounds.

Years later, Miriam was beatified by Pope Francis on October 4, 2014. Her beatification was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, New Jersey and was presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Miracles attributed to Miriam include the healing of a blind boy's eyes in 1963. The Vatican approved of his restored sight as a miracle accomplished through the intercession of Miriam in 2013.

A breakout of fake Catholic weddings in Trenton, NJ

 

Planning a Catholic wedding?  First step is to make sure it’s valid

April 30, 2026

A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Photo caption: Father Michael Gentile, pastor of Resurrection Parish, Delran, blesses a newly married couple during a nuptial Mass he recently celebrated. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has written a message urging couples who are planning to marry in the Catholic Church to be certain that the officiating clergyman – priest or deacon — is validly authorized to preside at the ceremony. Courtesy photo

I have been informed by a number of priests about several attempted celebrations of marriage within the Diocese of Trenton (Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties) by former priests or others posing as bishops or priests who are not authorized by the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Trenton to witness or officiate at weddings, thus making any attempted marriages of Catholics performed by them invalid.

Such invalid weddings regularly occur at places other than Roman Catholic churches (eg., catering halls, hotels, beaches, etc. where Catholic weddings may not take place without dispensations issued by the Roman Catholic Church), and are officiated by individuals misrepresenting themselves as valid, authentic Catholic clergymen. PLEASE NOTE:  Only authorized Roman Catholic priests or deacons (priests or deacons “with faculties”) are permitted to officiate at weddings within the Diocese of Trenton.

Anyone planning for a Catholic wedding should contact his/her parish first to make sure that the officiating clergyman is validly authorized to preside at the ceremony and to ensure that his/her wedding is truly the Sacrament of Marriage recognized by the Roman Catholic Church that they intend.

If you have been an unfortunate victim of such fraud, please contact your parish.

New Jersey Priest commits suicide; mourners include his Bishop

 New Jersey bishop mourns for priest who committed suicide

Father Rafael Ciro, pictured above, served in the Diocese of Paterson New Jersey. | Credit: Courtesy of Diocese of Paterson

By Walter Sánchez Silva

ACI Prensa Staff, Sep 2, 2025 / 14:53 pm

The bishop of Paterson, New Jersey, Kevin Sweeney, mourned the suicide of Father Rafael Ciro, a Colombian-born priest who served as pastor of St. Stephen's Church. The prelate said he is praying for him and asked for prayers, entrusting him to God's mercy.

In a statement Sweeney noted that the priest, born in 1979 in Colombia, had been "faithful, joyful, and dedicated" since his ordination on May 25, 2013.

The deceased priest served at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Paterson, St. Mary's in Passaic, St. Nicholas in Passaic, and Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary in Dover before being appointed pastor of St. Stephen's in Paterson.

Speaking to Univision, María Rodríguez said that Ciro "was a very good priest. He was very well-loved; he had many people who loved him, even though he is no longer with us. We miss him."

A priest ‘is not exempt from illness’

In his statement, the bishop pointed out that “A priest is a human being, and none of us is immune to illness. Though most of us realize that physical illness can be fatal, we may not always realize that the same is true of other illnesses.”

“Father Rafael fought the good fight in his struggles with mental illness with the support and care of friends, counselors, and brother priests,” he emphasized.

Sweeney also noted that "profound desperation that insidiously led a person of deep faith to this earthly conclusion is impossible to comprehend. Therefore, we lift Father Rafael and his grieving loved ones and colleagues up in prayer for the consolation that only God gives.”

A call to hope

“Shaken to the core by this tragedy, our faith in eternal life through Christ is our light in darkness,” the bishop affirmed.

“No one of us can – nor will we ever – have complete understanding of Father Rafael’s fears and struggles. We do know that he fought with courage to find equilibrium and tranquility that would allow him to live with the peaceful heart for which he longed. The long shadow of this moment does not diminish the bright light of his spirit,” he pointed out.

“Grant him, Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace,” the prelate prayed.

Funeral services for Father Rafael Ciro

The wake for the priest was scheduled for Sept. 2 at St. Stephen's Parish. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, located at 387-389 Grand Street, Paterson. The Eucharist can be followed at this link.

A private funeral service will be held for the family in Colombia.

In the announcement regarding the funeral service, the Diocese of Paterson asked for continued prayers for Ciro, "his mother, Doña Elena Guarín, his siblings, the priests of Paterson, and his many friends."

Condolences may be sent to the Clergy Personnel Office, St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Avenue, Madison, New Jersey 07940.

What does the Catholic Church say about suicide?

The Church's teaching on suicide is found in Nos. 2280-2283 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In his statement, the bishop quoted 2283 which says: "We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.”

Furthermore, although suicide "is contrary to love for the living God," the catechism also establishes in No. 2282 that "Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide."

"With this certainty, we entrust Father Raphael to the infinite mercy of God, rich in compassion," the bishop of Paterson added.

Seek help

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional crisis or suicidal thoughts, remember that the Catholic Church offers spiritual guidance, prayer, and someone to talk to and encourages seeking professional help.

You can contact helplines, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 in the U.S.) for your country, or go to your parish, where you will find pastoral support and resources.

The Catholic Church teaches that life is a gift from God. The Church accompanies those who suffer with compassion and without judgment, offering hope, prayer, and consolation to the affected families.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

A new Bishop of Camden New Jersey

 

Bishop Joseph A. Williams, Ninth Bishop of Camden

(USCCB) Washington- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, 80, from the Office of Bishop of Camden. Bishop Joseph A. Williams, up until now coadjutor bishop of the same diocese, will assume pastoral governance of the diocese.

The announcement was publicized in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Williams’ biography may be found here.

The Diocese of Camden is comprised of 2,691 square miles in the State of New Jersey and has a total population of 1,417,548 of which 304,999, are Catholic.

The mother and first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis in New Jersey at dedication of the American Shrine in his honor

 

Carlo Acutis’ mother places his first-class relic in new diocesan shrine in New Jersey

Father Brian Woodrow of St. Dominic Parish in Brick, New Jersey, speaks at the Mass celebrating the shrine of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Oct. 1, 2023. Credit: Thomas P. Costello II

By Sharon Delaney

Trenton, N.J., Oct 4, 2023 / 11:25 am

The faith community of St. Dominic Parish in Brick, New Jersey, celebrated the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis on Oct. 1 with a very special guest among them — Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano. After the jubilant Mass concluded, Salzano took the relic of her son from the hands of Bishop David O’Connell of the Diocese of Trenton, and together they processed to the narthex, where a new shrine to Acutis was blessed. 

In her remarks to the faithful gathered for the celebration, Salzano declared: “Sainthood is for everyone. Carlo became a saint by practicing the seven theological and cardinal virtues.” She emphasized: “This is what makes us all saints.”

“Carlo prayed the rosary and read sacred Scripture every day,” Salzano shared. “He went to confession each week. Since his holy Communion at 7 years old, he never missed daily Mass. Before Mass or after, he would also spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Carlo believed the Eucharist was his ‘highway to heaven.’”

Carlo’s life

Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, and then moved with his family to Milan, Italy. There, he grew up to be a “normal” teenager — a gamer, a brilliant computer programmer, and a website developer. He liked to travel, enjoyed his PlayStation, and took great care of his pets. He loved St. Francis of Assisi and the poor. He was also deeply in love with this Catholic faith and practiced it with all his heart. 

At just 14 years old, Acutis turned his devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament into a website. He cataloged more than 100 Eucharistic miracles around the world that have been approved by the Catholic Church. The website inspired the Eucharistic Miracle Exhibit, which has been viewed more than 10,000 times across the globe and counting.

On Oct. 4, 2006, after just a few days of illness, Acutis was diagnosed with promyelocytic leukemia. He offered his sufferings for the conversion of sinners. His mother offered her suffering as well. She prayed there would be greater love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and for those who did not yet know Christ. After slipping into a coma, Carlo Acutis’ heart stopped beating on Oct. 12, 2006. 

Because of his love for the poor and his desire to emulate St. Francis of Assisi, Acutis requested to be buried in Assisi, Italy. The cause for his canonization opened officially in 2013. Pope Francis declared him Venerable in 2019 and Blessed in 2020. He is one step away from being canonized a saint. 

Just a regular teenager

“Carlo was a regular teenager like me,” said Anthony Ricardo, a 15-year-old sophomore at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, New Jersey, who came to the event. “I really wanted to see Carlo’s mom, and I wanted to see his relics. Carlo was totally devoted to the Eucharist, which I think is the most important part of our faith.”

Traveling from Allentown, New Jersey, the Schuster family brought six of their eight children to see the dedication of the new shrine. Eight-year-old Brian Schuster said: “I came to see Carlo’s relics. He reminds me to be holy.”

Brian’s 10-year-old brother, Paul, added: “I wanted to meet Carlo’s mom. Carlo is a role model for all kids. He teaches us how to get closer to Jesus by going to Mass as often as we can and by praying the rosary every day.”

One of their own 

Blessed Carlo’s journey to the Diocese of Trenton began several years ago when Father Marian Kokorzycki, parochial vicar of St. Dominic Parish, brought a relic of Blessed Carlo back from a pilgrimage to Assisi for the diocese. Bishop O’Connell supported the idea of a shrine at the parish devoted to the new Blessed.

“I love his story,” O’Connell told CNA. “I’ve read everything I could get my hands on about Blessed Carlo Acutis. He was a normal boy, but his devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and love for his Catholic faith created a collective orientation toward God in all that he did.”

Sometime later, at the annual Catholic school Mass for the diocese, a video was shown to the students before Mass about Blessed Carlo Acutis. “I watched the young people in the church,” O’Connell recalled. “They were riveted. You could hear a pin drop. That’s when the idea came to me.”

 In April 2022, O’Connell declared Blessed Carlo Acutis the patron of students in his diocese. “Since then, I’ve noticed Blessed Carlo Acutis’ picture is in all of our schools,” O’Connell said. “There is an awareness of him. Young people talk about him. He was a computer geek. He went to school. He even defended kids from bullies —­ all the things the young people of our diocese do. Carlo is one of their own. I’m counting on him to help me evangelize the young people of the Diocese of Trenton.”

‘A higher project’

During the ceremony, the reliquary containing Blessed Carlo’s relic stood prominently before his portrait in the shrine. Salzano looked on as O’Connell blessed the shrine in honor of her son. The room was packed to capacity. Many held their phones over their heads to capture the historic moment. Even though it was a Sunday, the students of St. Dominic Catholic School proudly wore their school uniforms.