Fr. Francis Belanger

“Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.” vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” - Acts 5:29 #pontifex

“Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” said the Pope. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

JUST IN: Israeli Police prevented Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today, as he went to say Mass. @LPJerusalem calls it a “grave precedent” which “constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.” Full statement from @LPJerusalem below —— Joint Press Release The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land Holy City of Jerusalem Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026 This morning, the Israeli Police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, together with the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, the official Guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as they made their way to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass. The two were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back. As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This incident is a grave precedent,and disregard the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem. The Heads of the Churches have acted with full responsibility and, since the outset of the war, have complied with all imposed restrictions: public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was prohibited, and arrangements were made to broadcast the celebrations to hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide, who, during these days of Easter, turn their eyes to Jerusalem and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure. This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land express their profound sorrow to the Christian faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world that prayer on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar has thus been prevented.

Sunset in the #Catskills

A hidden cloister in the center of Rome has a turbulent past etched on its walls cruxnow.com/church-in-euro… Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, one of the Dominican churches in Rome

A visit to St. Patrick's grave — and two Irishmen on the road to sainthood - osvnews.com/a-visit-to-st-…

At the convent of Leonardo’s ‘Last Supper,’ Dominican friars still live, pray and welcome visitors cruxnow.com/church-in-euro…

Cardinal Cupich issues “A Call to Conscience” on portrayal of war - Vatican News vaticannews.va/en/church/news…

“The path of the upright is like the light of dawn. its brightness growing to the fullness of day…” Proverbs 4:18

AFC CHAMPIONS‼️

My heart is heavy tonight as we mourn our dear Friend, John. John was a force of nature - he was a man of deep friendship, kind, loyal and great fun to be around. He was a giant in journalism, and gave so freely and generously of himself - particularly helping younger colleagues. His faith was profound, may he find rest now with the God he served day and daily. cruxnow.com/church/2026/01…

PLAYOFF DUBBBBBBBB

FRIARS WIN!!! Providence - 77 St. John’s - 71 Key Players ⬇️ Jamier Jones 👑 15 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL Stefan Vaaks 🎯 16 PTS, 6 REB, 4-6 3PT Jaylin Sellers 😤 15 PTS, 3 REB Oswin Erhunmwunse 💪 10 PTS, 9 REB, 1 BLK, 4-4 FT #PCBB | #Friars

The Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, USA, grants a dispensation to members of the faithful "who reasonably fear being detained" due to increased immigration enforcement activities in the area. vaticannews.va/en/church/news…

The Son of God, through whom all things were created, was not welcomed, and a poor manger for animals was his crib. The eternal Word of the Father whom the heavens cannot contain chose to come into the world in this way. Out of love, he accepted poverty and rejection, identifying himself with those who are discarded and excluded. #Christmas

Check out the Advent playlist on Amazon Music. music.amazon.com/user-playlists…

What Trump Is Really Doing With His Boat Strikes nytimes.com/2025/12/05/opi… "I often think of a story St. Augustine told in his 'Confessions.'"

Dominican Sr. María Lucía Caram Padilla was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, III class, by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for her efforts in providing humanitarian aid and support since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. bit.ly/4pNGnL4

Pope Leo issues Apostolic Letter 'In unitate fidei' on Nicaea Anniversary - Vatican News vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…