All Saints Parish Homilies and News

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...

In a move that observers call unprecedented, Pope Leo XIV will venerate one of France's most precious relics when he gathers with young people in Paris on September 25.  The Holy Tunic exposed for veneration at the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Argenteuil, France. The Latin reads "This is the seamless tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ." Simon de l'Ouest I CC BY-SA 4.0 Published in Aleteia  Source: Courtesy of Charles Edouard Baudouin / saintetunique.com Believed to be the garment Jesus wore during his Passion, The Holy Tunic will be brought under strictest security from Argenteuil, where it has been kept for more than 1,200 years. The National Catholic Register reports that Pope Leo will be the first pope in history to venerate the relic, which is usually viewable only through a small glass window and is only rarely exposed for public veneration. The Pope will be joined by more than 80,000 young people who have registered for the Youth Vigil to be held at Paris' Stade ...

Venerable Alfred Pampalon (1867-1896): Montreal & Quebec Canada  Published in Columbia Magazine , by the Knights of Columbus.  In the final hours of his life, 28-year-old Father Alfred Pampalon lay in the Redemptorist infirmary. His caretakers were astonished to hear the Québécois priest sing the Magnificat — a final expression of the Marian devotion that had marked his life. Born in Lévis, near Québec City, Alfred Pampalon was one of 12 children. His father was a stonemason who helped build churches, including the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Alfred’s mother, who died when he was 6, taught him to love virtue, and his first words were said to be the names of Jesus and Mary. At age 9, Alfred entered the Collège de Lévis, where classmates called him “a saint” and often chose him to settle disputes during recess. After two serious illnesses, Alfred discerned God’s call to religious life. Known for his devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, he lat...

Giotto’s famed fresco cycle depicting St. Francis of Assisi restored in Florence. Reported in the Associated Press by Francesco Sportelli FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — A cycle of frescoes by Italian 14th-century master Giotto , depicting key moments in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, has been unveiled after a four-year restoration. The newly vibrant “Stories of St. Francis” were shown to the public last week in the Basilica of Santa Croce, just in time for the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death on October 4. Giotto, who died in Florence in 1337, is considered by many to be the greatest Italian painter of his time and is considered the father of European painting. His artistic innovations informed the Renaissance style that developed after he died. Painted between 1317-1325 and adorning a side chapel in the basilica, the St. Francis frescos have regained their richness following the restoration and offer new insights into Giotto’s revolutionary techniques and style, restorers said. Em...