Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

Most Americans know they’re on their phone too much

D. R. Esparza — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:23:13 +0000

More than half of American adults believe they spend too much time on their smartphone, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center published September 1. The findings, drawn from a nationally representative sample of 9,750 U.S. adults surveyed between May 26 and June 1, 2026, paint a picture of a population increasingly Read More…

Most Americans know they’re on their phone too much

Jesus in Hollywood: Streets fill for Eucharistic procession

Theresa Civantos Barber — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:19:28 +0000

Hollywood, California, the heart of the American film industry, is a high-energy town whose streets have seen all kinds of stars on the Walk of Fame. But a different scene filled its streets — a scene of quiet prayer and worship, and peaceful singing — on September 9, when Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Read More…

Jesus in Hollywood: Streets fill for Eucharistic procession

Pope John Paul II’s words the day after 9/11

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:56:01 +0000

September 11, 2021, was a Tuesday. The next day, Pope John Paul II gave his condolences to the USA and the world and voiced his prayer to God. The Holy Father had been giving catechesis on the Psalms during the Wednesday audiences, but on September 12, he delivered this text speaking directly to the United Read More…

Pope John Paul II’s words the day after 9/11

The quiet truth at the heart of King Harald’s funeral

Cerith Gardiner — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:39:35 +0000

There are few occasions when the trappings of royalty are more visible than the funeral of a monarch. And on Wednesday, as Norway said goodbye to King Harald V, they were everywhere. His coffin, draped in the red Norwegian royal standard, was carried through Oslo on a gun carriage as a 21-gun salute rang out. Read More…

The quiet truth at the heart of King Harald’s funeral

3 Popes and their words to youth in YOUCAT series

Philip Kosloski — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:41:39 +0000

When St. John Paul II published the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992, the faithful were given an incredible gift: Delving into the history and teaching of the Church suddenly became much easier. Since then, the Catechism, of the CCC as it’s commonly referred to, has been the source book for a variety of Read More…

3 Popes and their words to youth in YOUCAT series

Pope grants Guadalupan jubilee ahead of 500th anniversary

Matthew Green — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:34:58 +0000

Pope Leo XIV has granted a Guadalupan Jubilee year to mark the 50th anniversary of the October 12, 1976, dedication of the current Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Tepeyac, Mexico. Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the archbishop of Mexico, announced the news on September 9 “with profound joy and gratitude.” The jubilee will be Read More…

Pope grants Guadalupan jubilee ahead of 500th anniversary

A priest remembers his day at Ground Zero on 9/11

Fr. Vincent Euk — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:15:27 +0000

It seems ironic that as I approached the rectory near the hospital where I worked on September 11, 2001, there was a beautiful, clear blue sky — something I had never seen before in New York City. As I entered the rectory, the secretary alerted me that a plane had just hit a World Trade Read More…

A priest remembers his day at Ground Zero on 9/11

Why we’re feeling less able to be ourselves: Pope’s thoughts

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:18:09 +0000

In 1943, an Italian laywoman named Chiara Lubich founded a group that is known today worldwide as the “Focolare Movement.” One of many ecclesial movements, the particular aim of Focolare is to foster unity — across religions or in other areas of culture. Individuals affiliated with Focolare “engage in various forms of dialogue and are committed to building Read More…

Why we’re feeling less able to be ourselves: Pope’s thoughts

Beloved Catholic women’s conference is back after 6 years

Theresa Civantos Barber — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:27:29 +0000

Women are so often “doing for others” as caregivers, and it’s less frequent that they get a chance to be truly cared for and nurtured in their turn. But one Catholic woman is on a mission to change that. Liv Harrison, a Catholic speaker and host of “The LIVing Room” best known for sharing her Read More…

Beloved Catholic women’s conference is back after 6 years

Don’t say “God”: New rule for Canada military chaplains

Theresa Civantos Barber — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:21:10 +0000

Since 2019, Canada’s Quebec province has banned public sector employees in positions of authority — including teachers, police officers, judges, and crown prosecutors — from wearing visible religious symbols, which includes hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, and Christian crosses. Now, Canada has gone a step farther. Members of the military, particularly chaplains, throughout all of Canada are Read More…

Don’t say “God”: New rule for Canada military chaplains

A-E-I-O-U: Simple 5-step Bible study for Sunday’s readings

Father Dave Mercer — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:05:33 +0000

Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. [Luke 24:27] At Saint Patrick Church, in Carlsbad, California, my friend Sean leads a men’s Bible study that prepares for Sunday by studying the scheduled readings. I like how Sean puts it: “Studying the Sunday readings Read More…

A-E-I-O-U: Simple 5-step Bible study for Sunday’s readings

How Pope Leo XIV’s popemobiles are getting to France

Cyriac Zeller — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:28:30 +0000

During his visit to France from September 25 to 28, Pope Leo XIV is expected to make two major tours in the popemobile: on September 25 along the streets of Paris, and on September 28 in Metz. It’s also likely that the Pontiff will greet the crowds from the famous white vehicle during Masses at Read More…

How Pope Leo XIV’s popemobiles are getting to France

Don’t miss it! Gibson’s “Passion” back in theaters now

Theresa Civantos Barber — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:12:34 +0000

Originally released in 2004, The Passion of the Christ is a dramatic portrayal of the last hours of the life of Jesus. Mel Gibson directed the film and Jim Caviezel starred as Jesus of Nazareth in this depiction of Christ’s trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. Watching The Passion of the Christ is an unforgettable experience, and Read More…

Don’t miss it! Gibson’s “Passion” back in theaters now

This Augustinian friar is patron saint of souls in purgatory

Philip Kosloski — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:08:14 +0000

Few know that an Augustinian friar (the same religious order as Pope Leo XIV), was named the patron saint of all suffering souls in purgatory. It is a unique patronage, as it deals with souls who have died, but have to be purified before they can enter the eternal gates of Heaven. The previous Pope Read More…

This Augustinian friar is patron saint of souls in purgatory

Leo XIV sends condolences to Cardinal Tagle for father’s death

Matthew Green — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:58:00 +0000

After learning that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s father had died last Sunday, September 6, Pope Leo XIV sent a message of closeness and condolences to the Philippine cardinal. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines made the message public on September 8 on its news agency’s website (CBCPNEWS). The Pope told Cardinal Tagle that he Read More…

Leo XIV sends condolences to Cardinal Tagle for father’s death

Pope celebrated Mary’s birthday with “Good Counsel” devotion

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:36:00 +0000

“Imagine peace.” That was the invitation extended by Pope Leo XIV as he celebrated Mass on September 7, 2026, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. From this place, which is home to a community of Augustinian friars — his spiritual family — the Pope invited the faithful to envision peace Read More…

Pope celebrated Mary’s birthday with “Good Counsel” devotion

History, meaning, and 3 expressions of “human dignity”

Kathleen N. Hattrup — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:09:05 +0000

Pope Leo continued with his analysis of the Vatican II document on the Church’s interaction with the world, by considering how the document begins with a lot at “the dignity of the human person.” This concept is fundamental to the Church’s dealings with the world: She believes that every human being, regardless of any factor, Read More…

History, meaning, and 3 expressions of “human dignity”

After mosque attack, Nigeria’s bishops say enough is enough

D. R. Esparza — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:37:38 +0000

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria issued an urgent statement on August 27 condemning two separate attacks that have left dozens dead and over 60 people kidnapped — and calling on the Nigerian government, security forces, and the attackers themselves to stop the bloodshed. The statement, titled “Stop The Slaughter In Borgu And Ukum, Stop Read More…

After mosque attack, Nigeria’s bishops say enough is enough

How Fulton Sheen mastered “influencing” before social media

Cerith Gardiner — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:31:26 +0000

Long before Catholic influencers had to worry about algorithms, follower counts, or whether anybody was actually watching the reel they spent three hours making, Fulton Sheen had rather cracked the problem. At the height of his fame, an estimated 30 million people were tuning in each week to watch a Catholic bishop talk about faith Read More…

How Fulton Sheen mastered “influencing” before social media

Why JPII saw Blessed Frédéric Ozanam as a guide for youth

Philip Kosloski — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:53:14 +0000

While many young people today are familiar with St. Pier Giorgio Frassati or St. Carlo Acutis, a few decades ago, St. John Paul II pointed youth toward Blessed Frédéric Ozanam for inspiration. His unique example of holiness was highlighted during the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris, France, where St. John Paul II presided at Read More…

Why JPII saw Blessed Frédéric Ozanam as a guide for youth