July 2026
This month in Philadelphia the historic 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage comes to a grand conclusion.
Prior to the solemn closing Mass, at 11:00 a.m., Pope Leo XIV will deliver a video message to Catholics in the United States to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tune in to the live-streamed message here.
Walking with Jesus and praying for the nation, pilgrims will then journey the two miles between the sites of two Philadelphia saints: Bishop John Neumann and Katherine Drexel. (Approximate time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) An indoor and outdoor social will follow the conclusion of the Eucharistic Procession.
From the bookshelf ...
FROM THE BOOKSHELF (July)
the English translation of a collection of homilies by Pope Benedict XVI … “all delivered off the public record in small chapels, during his years as pope and pope emeritus.”
Here are excerpts for feasts this month:
“Let us ask the Lord to grant that we may touch Him externally like Thomas, like the many people who can touch Jesus in the Gospel, but especially that we may learn to touch Him with our heart, so that in this way He may cure us and give us salvation.” (Feast of St. Thomas the Apostles, July 3, 2009)
“(the one, central point of the Rule” is the point of being open, having a heart open to the voice of the Lord, listening in silence, letting oneself be formed, finally … knowing and loving Jesus as the nucleus of truth” (Memorial of St. Benedict, March 21, 2006)
the English translation of a collection of homilies by Pope Benedict XVI … “all delivered off the public record in small chapels, during his years as pope and pope emeritus.”
Here are excerpts for feasts this month:
“Let us ask the Lord to grant that we may touch Him externally like Thomas, like the many people who can touch Jesus in the Gospel, but especially that we may learn to touch Him with our heart, so that in this way He may cure us and give us salvation.” (Feast of St. Thomas the Apostles, July 3, 2009)
“(the one, central point of the Rule” is the point of being open, having a heart open to the voice of the Lord, listening in silence, letting oneself be formed, finally … knowing and loving Jesus as the nucleus of truth” (Memorial of St. Benedict, March 21, 2006)
Holy Angels
November 10
Throughout this our inaugural year, we have celebrated each month the feast days of remarkable preachers who helped shape a fledgling Church, and who still influence how we celebrate our Catholic faith today. You will find curated reads about each in our Bookshelf Archive.
As 2024 ebbs to its end, this Advent we remember the CHOIRS OF ANGELS, those celestial beings created by God for his kingdom. Especially during this season, we remember those heavenly hosts – named and unnamed – whom God selected to break into human history to announce the coming of the Saviour!
The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent explores the four angelic visits to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. May we never forget these first “preachers” of the Good News.
A blessed and transformational Advent and Christmas to you and yours!
