Diocesan News | Rhode Island Catholic

Sister Agnes Bonville, RSM (whose religious name was Mary Bonaventure John) a Sister of Mercy for 76 years, died on February 19, 2025 at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Agnes was … more

3/6/25

In this file photo, Sister Elizabeth Castro, H.M.S.P., director of the Office for Religious for the Diocese of Providence and a member of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Word, distributes communion on Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence.

This Lenten season, let us live as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’

A couple of weeks ago, I went food shopping at Stop & Shop. Per usual, I started in my favorite aisle, the one all the way to the right of the store, particularly known as the ice cream aisle. As … more

By Msgr. Albert A. Kenney | 3/6/25

Special Event Listings for 03.06.25

Sunday Holy Hour for the Jubilee Year of Hope PROVIDENCE — Adoration is a quiet time spent in prayer before Jesus present in the Eucharist. Join us Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cathedral … more

3/6/25

Don’t Believe Dictators

On September 30, 1938, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany signed the “Munich Agreement,” which annexed to Germany the Sudetenland, territory belonging to then-Czechoslovakia. … more

3/6/25

Father Albert P. Marcello III, J.C.D./Ph.D, at right, is joined by, from far left, Father Wojciech Kowal, OMI; Msgr. John Renken; and Saint-Paul University Dean Chad Glendinning, during Father Marcello’s doctoral thesis defense on November 25, 2024.

A fascination with the annual timing of Easter becomes subject of priest’s doctoral thesis

PROVIDENCE — Growing up, seeing the tables in front of the church missals for calculating the date of Easter captivated a young, curious and inquisitive future priest, so much so that it would … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 3/6/25

People cheer during the 52nd annual March for Life rally in Washington Jan. 24, 2025.

The pro-life movement is not merely an opposition to specific laws or legal decisions

PROVIDENCE — It was a cold, cloudy day in the nation’s capital during this year’s March for Life. But despite the dreary conditions, tens of thousands of pro-life demonstrators … more

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 3/6/25

Fidelity and Fulfillment in the Resurrection

St. John makes no mention of the post-baptismal temptations of Christ. St. Mark offers a brief mention of the event: “At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the … more

3/6/25

Repentance, reconciliation and renewal will make all the difference this Lent

PROVIDENCE — Repentance, reconciliation and renewal — those three “R’s” are going to make all the difference in our spiritual journeys this Lent, Bishop Emeritus Thomas … more

By Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor | 3/5/25

A priest holds a vessel of ashes as Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 5, 2025.

Ash Wednesday teaches human fragility, Gospel hope

ROME (CNS) -- The journey of Lent "unfolds amid the remembrance of our fragility and the hope that, at the end of the road, the Risen Lord is waiting for us," Pope Francis wrote in his homily for Ash … more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service | 3/5/25

Young people and members of the House of Mary, groups associated with the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception, pray at the base of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 2, 2025. Pope Francis is receiving treatment there for double pneumonia.

Pope no longer on mechanical ventilation after respiratory crises

VATICAN CITY — The morning after suffering two acute episodes of respiratory crisis, Pope Francis no longer needed oxygen through a breathing mask, the Vatican said. The crises March 3 led … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 3/5/25

A statue of St. John Paul II is seen in front of the Gemelli hospital sign in Rome March 2, 2025. Pope Francis is receiving treatment there for double pneumonia.

Pope suffers episodes of respiratory crisis, remains alert

VATICAN CITY (CNS) —Pope Francis suffered "two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" March 3 but remained alert, the Vatican said, giving cause for concern after two days in which his … more

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service | 3/3/25

Famed author and Catholic Theologian George Weigel spoke to a group of seminarians at Our Lady of Providence Seminary about his years of working with Saint Pope John Paul II on volumes he wrote about his long and storied papacy.

Famed Catholic theologian, papal biographer, speaks to seminarians at OLP

PROVIDENCE — Catholic theologian, leading public intellectual and author George Weigel, renowned as an author or editor on more than 30 books, including the New York Times bestseller … more

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor | 2/27/25

What will the Ashes I Wear This Year be a Sign of?

In a column he wrote for the Rhode Island Catholic a couple of years ago, our Bishop at the time, Thomas J. Tobin, offered a reflection on the subject of what we wear, and how what we wear often … more

2/27/25

Cathedrals and us

The Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the nation’s capital is a magnificent Neo-Gothic structure, based on 14th-century English models, that calls itself “Washington National … more

2/27/25

Death is a tough hurdle even for the devout believer, but there is redemption in dying

They were an ideal parish family. The husband served on the parish council and coached the school basketball team. The wife helped count the Sunday donations on Monday morning and helped with … more

2/27/25

Compassion is often lacking in the debate over immigration

Recently, Pope Francis wrote to the United States bishops about the issue of immigration. His letter garnered both support and criticism among Catholics. Without a doubt, immigration is a politically … more

By Father Michael J. Najim | 2/27/25

Ukraine deserves advocates who desire it to be a free and whole nation

TO THE EDITOR: The people of Ukraine have suffered at the brutal hands of Putin’s Russia during the past several years. I am saddened and nonplussed by those who insist or in the past have … more

2/27/25

“Woman at the Well” a painting by Sharon Clossick.

Sacred art draw us into contemplation with God, offers glimpse of eternal reality

NARRAGANSETT — Metaphysics teaches that the properties of being — truth, oneness, goodness, and beauty — are inseparable.Where one exists, the others do as well. Beauty is found … more

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent | 2/27/25

Providence College's Our Lady of Lourdes Oratory blessed

Providence College recently celebrated the blessing of the Our Lady of Lourdes Oratory in the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences on campus. In his homily, Father Thomas More Garrett, … more

2/27/25

Special Event Listings for 02.27.25

Shrine to serve up Fish ‘n Chips NASONVILLE — On the Fridays of Lent, March 7,14, 21,18, April 4, 11, from 4 – 7 p.m., St. Theresa Church 35 Dion Drive, will be serving fried and … more

2/27/25