All Saints Parish Homilies and News

My father was a Greek Catholic. In other words, his faith is recognized by Rome as one of the Eastern Rite Catholics. Russian is the official language for the Greek Catholic liturgies, although most who practice the faith are Ukrainians or Polish. They teach their faith through the sacred images preserved on beautiful religious icons.  These works of art are passed down through hundreds of years of worship. One of the most widely recognized icon is Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  My mother always had this icon in our house in Baltimore, Maryland. Our Lady of Perpetual Help feast day is celebrated on June 27, and novenas to honor her are often scheduled for the public during the weeks leading up to that date.  Recently, in a dream, I recall seeing this icon speaking to me. Of course, I recognized the familiar image. When I saw the icon, I called out, "Mary?", as though we were having a conversation.  She said, "Yes. But they do not recognize me. They do not know who I am...

April 15, 2019 I have a personal photo taken when we were in Paris but this one is copied from the Internet. Thank God this statue survived and I finally have confirmation about its condition. Notre Dame Cathedral is home to priceless relics saved from the flames Ever since the devastating Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris, I have repeatedly asked if the statue of Saint Joan of Arc had survived.  I have a personal photo taken of this statue, taken when we visited the Cathedral during one of our memorable visits to Paris.  Finally, I gave up and asked "AI", on Google.  I am very happy to learn this information. No other source has given me such a succinct and accurate reply. Yes, the marble statue of Saint Joan of Arc inside the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral survived the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.  While the historic wooden roof and central spire collapsed during the blaze, the interior stonework, vaulted arches, and major artworks—including the Joan of Arc ...

The intriguing date of Pope Leo’s surgery At 71years old, Pope Leo XIV certainly gave the impression of having boundless energy during his recent visit to France.  Echo report published in Aleteia by Cerith Gardiner Over four packed days, he celebrated Mass before enormous crowds, delivered speeches, met countless faithful, and somehow found the strength to keep smiling and greeting people who had waited hours for a glimpse of him -- and let's not forget, blessing something like a billion babies among the way! At Lourdes, he prayed at the grotto, spent time with sick pilgrims, celebrated Mass before some 150,000 people, and joined the torchlight procession. It was an exhausting schedule for anyone, let alone a man in his 70s. Yet barely two weeks later, on October 13, the Holy Father was undergoing surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove a suspicious nodule from his lung, subsequently confirmed to be cancerous. The Vatican has not revealed exactly when Leo learned of his ...

By Colleen Dulle published in America, the Jesuit magazine. A Skeptic Visits Lourdes with Pope Leo Find today’s readings here “Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Mt 11:25) I sat in the back of the plane during the pope’s return flight from France, listening to the (as it sounds to me) homey midwestern voice of the pope reflect, through crackling airline speakers, that he had experienced “almost miracles” at Lourdes. I felt my eyebrows raise. There is not much to see in Lourdes. The nature is breathtaking, sure—as we rolled into town past a smattering of people along the countryside highways, I marveled at the rolling Pyrenees growing deep blue and green against the orange sunset. A Missourian never gets used to mountains, I don’t think. At least I haven’t.  Lourdes, the town, though, is something else: Neon signs affixed to run-down grey buildings advertise shops where fluorescent lights glare against the p...

New York Times report by Ephrat Livni Political and religious leaders responded with prayers and messages of support after the Vatican’s announcement on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV had undergone surgery for lung cancer . The U.N. secretary general, António Guterres, wished the pope a speedy recovery and said on social media that his thoughts and prayers were with him and “the Catholic community worldwide.” The Vatican said the 90-minute procedure had successfully removed part of the pope’s right lung. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, a Catholic, said his thoughts and prayers were with the spiritual leader as he recovers. “Pope Leo XIV is a source of inspiration to Catholics right around the world,” Mr. Albanese wrote on social media. “He is a voice for peace, humanity and reason in our modern world.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic, said that he and his wife were praying for the pope. “May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medi...

HOMILY OF POPE LEO XIV Prairie of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday, 27 September 2026 In Lourdes, Pope Leo speaks of doing penance Tens of thousands of people filled the streets around the sanctuary, giving an exuberant welcome. The Pope entered Lourdes via the "Léon XIV Bridge," which he officially opened, unveiling a statue to the strains of the Gloria, sung by a male choir. Then, as night fell, against the backdrop of the illuminated sanctuary and a full moon, he spent another quarter of an hour greeting the crowds from an open-top popemobile. Brothers and sisters, pilgrims from France and from throughout the world, in seeing you gathered here this morning in our Mother’s home, I see the universal face of the Church.  Some of you have crossed continents, traveled far, and brought your joys and burdens to this sacred grotto. What a joy it is to be together, as one heart and one family. I would especially like to greet the pilgrims who have come from every provin...