Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Regina Caeli from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 11. Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., who formerly taught at Providence College, was in St. Peter’s Square to witness the address.

Pope Leo XIV energizes crowd in delivering first Regina Caeli prayer

VATICAN CITY —Three days after stepping out as the newly elected successor to Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV again emerged from behind the red curtains to thunderous applause onto the central … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/15/25

Sister Mary Therese O’Malley, OP

WISCONSIN — Sister Mary Therese O’Malley, OP, died May 7, 2025, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Sister Mary Therese was born April 19, 1928, to Nora and Patrick O’Malley in … more

5/15/25

Diocese of Providence announces new Superintendent of Catholic Schools

PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence announces that, with the support of Bishop-Designate Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Reverend Monsignor Albert Kenney, Diocesan Administrator, has … more

5/15/25

Catholic Communications: How the Good News Gets Around in the Diocese

PROVIDENCE — The Catholic Communication Campaign is an annual national collection to support evangelization through the internet, television, radio, and print. In the Diocese of Providence, the … more

5/15/25

Pope Leo XIV held a papal audience for members of the media at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Monday, May 12. The pontiff told the media to promote peace in their work and to be careful of the words they use, saying, “We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images,” and to “reject the paradigm of war.”

Pope grants audience to media professionals, urges them to serve truth, promote peace

VATICAN CITY — In an audience on Monday, May 12, with media professionals gathered in Rome to cover the papal conclave, Pope Leo XIV thanked journalists for their tireless efforts, especially … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/15/25

Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as he leads, for the first time, the midday recitation of the "Regina Coeli" prayer May 11, 2025.

Quietly, without flashiness, a disarming Pope Leo strives toward unity

Following the April 21 death of Pope Francis, a great curiosity hovered across the world as the College of Cardinals entered into mourning and prepared to elect a new pope. On May 8, the curiosity … more

By Michael R. Heinlein, OSV News | 5/15/25

St. Alphonsus’ great contributions to the church

When the 10th Bishop of Providence assumes his title next week, not only the traditional letters “D.D.” will follow his name but also the letters “CSsR” will be observed as … more

5/15/25

Pope Leo XIV offers message of peace as faithful in attendance for conclave feel blessed to be part of history

VATICAN CITY — The appearance of white smoke at 6:08 p.m. Thursday from the makeshift chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, followed by the tolling of church bells — signaling that a successor … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/15/25

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, smiles as he appears at the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican following his election as pope May 8, 2025. The new pope was born in Chicago.

10 things to know about Pope Leo XIV

As the Catholic Church welcomes its first American pope, here are 10 things to know about Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert F. Prevost. 1. Chicagoan. Pope Leo was born Sept. 14, 1955, and grew … more

By Maria Wiering, OSV News | 5/15/25

Diocese of Providence group of seminarians, with Most Rev. James T. Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, Maine. Pictured from left, Nicholas Jones, Father Ryan W. Connors, Seminary of Our Lady of Providence rector; Bishop Ruggieri; Adam Habershaw, and David Bardales.

Mass for Admittance into Candidacy for Sacred Orders

BRIGHTON — On Sunday, April 27, the Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland, celebrated the Mass for Admittance into Candidacy for Sacred Orders at St. John’s Seminary, … more

5/15/25

Special Event Listings for 05.25.25

Variety Show at St. Barnabas PORTSMOUTH — The St. Barnabas Festival Committee will host a variety show at the church, 1697 E Main Road, on May 16 at 6:30 p.m. There will be singing, dancing, … more

5/15/25

Sister Ellen McCarthy

LONDON — Sister Ellen McCarthy (Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus) passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2025, in London, England. She had ministered there in the FCJ school and … more

5/15/25

Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, waves to the crowds in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after his election as pope May 8, 2025. The new pope was born in Chicago.

Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 5/8/25

Ranking officers of the Vatican police and the Pontifical Swiss Guard place a beaded rope and seal on a Vatican office in the Apostolic Palace May 6, 2025. Buildings along the path cardinals may take from their residence to the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope have been sealed off.

As conclave begins, it's business as usual at the Vatican … sort of

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In Rome, the conclave is the talk of the town: from speculation over a morning espresso about who will be the next pope to taxi drivers complaining about how roadblocks have … more

By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service | 5/8/25

Keep the Heat On wraps up 20th season of cold winter weather assistance

PROVIDENCE — The all-time coldest temperature recorded in Rhode Island was -28° F in the Wood River Junction section of Richmond on January 11, 1942. Rhode Islanders might have felt like … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/8/25

Assignments 05.08.25

RETIRING FROM ACTIVE MINISTRY Reverend Peter J. D’Ambrosia, from Pastor, St. Clare Parish, Misquamicut, and Administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Bradford, to Pastor Emeritus, St. Clare … more

5/8/25

Honoring jubilarian priests for their service to God, the Church

MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES: On Monday, April 28, the Diocese of Providence held its annual Priest Study Day, which also included honoring priests who are celebrating significant anniversaries of … more

5/8/25

Two seminarians from the Diocese of Providence receive Ministry of Lector

On the morning of March 30, during Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark O’Connell at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts, seminarians Nick Jones and David Bardales were installed as … more

5/8/25

The new statue of Blessed Carlo Acutis stood close to the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Divine Mercy Sunday.

Bristol parish honors Carlo Acutis in special event

BRISTOL — Blessed Carlo Acutis, as beloved as he is, isn’t a saint quite yet. But in the eyes of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Bristol, he most certainly is. On the afternoon of … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 5/8/25

A Catholic Mom’s Tips to Avoid Mom ‘Burnout’

I saw a t-shirt that read “Moms are Superheroes” and it made me laugh. Regular day-to-day responsibilities, obligations and obstacles, plus the relentless demands of parenthood typically … more

5/8/25