Fr. Michael Salvagna, CP

Vietnam: Honouring legacy of Christian martyrs - Vatican News The Roman Martyrology celebrates fallen Vietnamese Christian martyrs of the 19th century who gave their lives for Christ, offering a strong symbol of ...

Study on priest, religious student debt finds it can be a barrier The researchers found that a discerning person’s student debt can be a barrier, as some choose on their own not to continue with a vocation because of their debt.

Our SPECTACULAR Annual CAR SHOW and CHICKEN BBQ is slated for Sunday, August 4, on the Basilica grounds. Join us for a classic day of fun, food, and friendship. Hope to see you there!
Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at the Rectory Office or Shrine Gift Shop. Help is needed to set up and take down next weekend.

Ignatius of Loyola: a saint for difficult times The famous sickbed conversion of the founder of the Jesuits was only the beginning of his story of patience, perseverance, and trust.

Blessed Nicéforo Diez Tejerina, the Provincial Superior of his Spanish Province, and his twenty-five Passionist brothers confirmed their fidelity to the Lord and to their Passionist vocation with the sacrifice of their lives during the Spanish Civil War.

These men were the innocent victims of mob violence. During the night of July 21-22, 1936, they were driven from their monastery in Daimiel (Ciudad Real, Spain).

Father Nicéforo, the Provincial Superior, gathered his young community (many were still studying for ordination), and with the Blessed Sacrament in his hands, he addressed them with moving words of encouragement and hope. He said:

"Citizens of Calvary, this is our Gethsemane. At the prospect of painful death, our human nature is terrified and distressed; but Jesus is with us. I am going to give you the One who is the strength of the weak. Jesus at the beginning of his Passion was comforted by an angel; we are comforted and supported by Jesus himself. Soon we will be with Him. Citizens of Calvary let us die for Him. I have the task of encouraging you, yet I feel encouraged by your example."

All the religious received sacramental absolution and the Eucharist with devotion. Once driven from their home, in the following days and weeks, they were pursued, denounced and killed out of “hatred for the faith,” thus earning the title of “martyrs.” The first of their group suffered martyrdom on July 23 and the last of the killings was on October 23.

Of special interest to Holy Cross Province is that while still studying for ordination, Nicéforo had been assigned to the Passionist parish in Toluca, Mexico State, in Mexico. The anti-clerical religious persecution in Mexico expelled the foreign religious from the country, so in 1914, the seminarian Nicéforo was sent to Chicago, where he lived at our former Immaculate Conception Monastery while he completed his studies for ordination. He was ordained in Chicago on June 17, 1916.

Muslim leaders condemn ‘disgraceful’ Olympics scene The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the “insults” against Jesus Christ, noting that Jesus is a respected figure in Islam.

Pope tells altar servers Jesus is with them in the Eucharist Following the Gospel reading from Matthew, the Holy Father reflected on how, with Jesus, they too can overcome fears and doubts amid life’s difficulties.

Talitha K*m calls for urgent action to protect victims of human trafficking - Vatican News July 30 each year marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with this year's theme "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human ...

Texas sues Biden admin over rule for minor contraceptive access According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the new HHS policy undermines Texas law and current legal precedent.

Chaplains offer spiritual support to athletes during Paris Olympics Among the chaplains, 40 Catholic priests, nuns, and laypeople are catering to the spiritual needs of the Olympic athletes in the Multifaith Center.

'Words cannot describe it': Bishop urges 'renewed zeal' in face of 'heinous' Last Supper mockery at Olympics The ceremony drew criticism around the world for its profane depiction of the Last Supper.

https://www.thesundaymass.org/watch-the-sunday-mass/1551-17th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-mass-2024-07-28
Watch the Sunday Mass for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time produced by the Passionists. Fr. Paul Fagan, CP, is the celebrant.

They wouldn't have done that to any other major religion.
One has to wonder why. Why not Islam?
Judaism? Why only Christianity?
Whatever the answer, I'm not watching the Olympics this time around if organizers feel the need to mock my Lord.

Seed on Tough Ground: Matthew 13:1-9 Teaching by the Sea. James Tissot “A sower went out to sow. some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once becau…

The enduring faith of St. Charbel: Thousands celebrate in Lebanon Celebrating St. Charbel’s feast day has been a beacon of hope for generations.