Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Sacred Heart of Jesus: Prayers, Crafts & Devotions

The month of June is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque on December 27, 1673, and revealed to her His Sacred Heart. When explaining facts and … more

6/12/25

The Holy Trinity reveals God’s internal, external life

About halfway through the Mass, the congregation offers a prayer asking God to accept the sacrifice about to be offered at the altar. Often labelled the “Sucipiat” after its first Latin … more

6/12/25

For an authentic Middle Eastern meal, Abu Hassan, which has been called the most famous hummus restaurant in Tel Aviv-Yafo, is located on Ha-Dolfin St 1. The eatery is famous for its made-to-order hummus, foul and masabacha.

Jaffa is definitely worth a visit when in the Holy Land

JAFFA, Israel — In the land of the Bible, the Jaffa port is one of the oldest in the entire world, in near continuous operation for more than 4,000 years. Calcareous sandstone (kurkar) reefs … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 6/12/25

Students at DEC Primary School in Falaba, Sierra Leone, are seen in a 2017 photo with their daily meal of rice and lentils. The school program is part of the “Food For Education” Project funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture where each student receives a meal of fortified rice and lentils five days a week.

Cuts to Catholic Relief Services food aid projects could impact hundreds of thousands of children, group says

WASHINGTON — Catholic Relief Services said May 21 that most of its projects under a federal international food aid program were terminated, leaving hundreds of thousands of children more … more

By Kate Scanlon, OSV News | 6/5/25

New Bishop Inspires Men at 'Change Me Lord' Retreat

Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski C.Ss.R. surprised the participants of the “Cámbiame a Mi Señor” (Change Me to My Lord) diocesan mens retreat on Sunday, June 1 by visiting and … more

6/5/25

Pope to Christian Brothers: Inspire joyful and fruitful paths of holiness

“I hope that vocations to Lasallian religious consecration may grow, that they be encouraged and promoted—within your schools and beyond—and that, in synergy with all the other … more

By Deborah Castellano Lubov | 6/5/25

Pope Leo XIV smiles after giving his blessing at the conclusion of Mass marking the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 1, 2025.

What’s in a Name

Two days after his election as Successor of St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV delivered an enlightening address to the College of Cardinals. The newly elected Supreme Pontiff shed light on his choice of a … more

By Father Ryan W. Connors, S.T.D. | 6/5/25

The eternal life of the Trinity is shared love

Certainly among the basic prayers of the Christian life, along with the Our Father and Hail Mary, is the Apostles’ Creed. Possibly going right back to the Apostolic Age when Christ’s … more

6/5/25

Pope Leo XIV greets members of the world press during a special papal audience for members of the media at the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican on Monday, May 12, the same day the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave to elect him was held, reopened to the public for the first time. B

Editor’s return to Italy is one of jubilation covering Papal conclave

Journalists, by their very nature, always want to chase the big stories. And especially for Catholic journalists, there is no bigger story than the transition from a pope who has died to the next … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 6/5/25

Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B., was ordained to the priesthood Friday, May 2, in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, Portsmouth Abbey.

From India to R.I.: Monk ordained at Portsmouth Abbey

PORTSMOUTH — Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B., was ordained to the sacred priesthood Friday, May 2, 2025, in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, Portsmouth Abbey. His ordination was … more

6/5/25

The school community of St. Mary’s in Cranston celebrates their annual Olympic Day. For principal Lisa Lepore the event was a grand finale as she will soon retire from a decades-long career in Catholic education.

Joyful send-off: Olympic fun celebrates St. Mary’s school spirit as beloved principal retires after 39 years

CRANSTON — Summer is nearly in full swing for schools around the diocese as many begin their end-of-year outdoor activities. For St. Mary School in Cranston, that day is known as “Olympic … more

By Allison Shinskey, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 6/5/25

Special Event Listings for 06.05.25

Ministry offers support and Masses for Recovery PORTSMOUTH — If you or a loved one(s) struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health distress, the Diocese of Providence’s St. Matthias … more

6/5/25

The opening slide of "The Pope Video" for June is seen with Pope Leo XIV's prayer intention for the month: "That the world might grow in compassion." The video was released at the Vatican June 3, 2025.

Pope’s prayer intention for June: That the world grow in compassion

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for June, a month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is “that the world might grow in compassion.” “Let us pray that … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 6/5/25

Local author named finalist as the International Impact Book Awards Author of the Year

HOLLYWOOD — Nim Stant, founder of the International Impact Book Awards, has announced that local author, Paul F. Caranci, of North Providence, was named a finalist as the 2025 Author of the … more

5/29/25

Division in the Catholic Church should be seen as scandalous

In the early 1960s a new Lutheran church was dedicated in the North End of Woonsocket. Ecumenical events on the local level were rare in those days so my curiosity about the affair had to be subtly … more

5/29/25

A woman with a child evacuates from a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 16, 2022.

Europe and America

In 2005, I published a small book entitled “The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God.” It had a fair sale in the U.S. and was translated into French, Spanish, … more

5/29/25

Remembering Alasdair MacIntyre

If you were to ask Catholics of a certain generation to explain why a particular act (take adultery as just one representative example) should be classified as a sin, you would likely hear that it … more

By Father Ryan Connors | 5/29/25

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski offers a blessing over one of the more than a dozen pairs of Catholics from the Hispanic community bringing forth spiritual bouquets of prayer during a Mass he offered amid a roaring nor’easter on Thursday, May 22, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. The participants were pleased that ‘Bishop Bruce’ is fluent in their language and cultural practices.

Hundreds brave nor'easter as the new Bishop of Providence offers Mass for Hispanic community

PROVIDENCE — Even a strong nor’easter with flooding rains was not enough to prevent more than 750 Catholics from pouring into the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul on Thursday, May 22, to … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 5/29/25

Pope Leo XIV visits the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, May 25, 2025.

Communion requires prayer, listening, conversion, pope says

ROME (CNS) — Celebrating his first Mass in Rome’s diocesan cathedral, Pope Leo XIV said communion is built primarily “on our knees,” through prayer and a constant commitment … more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service | 5/29/25

Special Event Listing for 05.29.25

Ministry offers support and Masses for Recovery PORTSMOUTH — If you or a loved one(s) struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health distress, the Diocese of Providence’s St. Matthias … more

5/29/25