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Crux
Fulton J. Sheen declared ‘Blessed’ in St. Louis
By Crux Now Staff, September 25, 2026
Archbishop Fulton John Sheen is a Blessed of the Church, declared such on Thursday in St. Louis, Missouri, during a gorgeous liturgy with nearly 90 bishops and a thousand priests concelebrant, as well as 50 thousand pilgrims in the St. Louis Dome at America’s Center. Sheen is the first U.S.-born bishop to be “Beatified,” or declared Blessed — a formal act one step short of canonization — which means a deceased person lived a holy life, is in heaven, and may be publicly venerated at least in certain places. The celebration was for Catholicism in the United States as much as it was for Sheen, a titan of Catholic evangelism in the 20th century. Born Peter John Sheen in Peoria, Illinois, in 1895, Sheen came to be known by his mother’s maiden name, “Fulton,” early in life. Pope Leo XIV established Blessed Fulton Sheen’s feast day as December 9, the day he died in 1979, while at prayer in his private chapel before the Blessed Sacrament.
Related: 10 books by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to add to your reading list - by Megan Marley, OSV News, February 9, 2026
Related: Lost homily of Fulton Sheen resurfaces in Newark - 09/24/26 by John Touhey, Aleteia
Zeale News
Court allows Ohio to enforce citizenship proof for voter registration
By David Uebbing, September 24, 2026
A divided panel of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a lower court injunction Sept. 23, allowing Ohio to continue enforcing a law requiring documentary proof of citizenship before Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) workers offer voter registration forms to driver’s license applicants. The underlying dispute turns on the National Voter Registration Act’s “motor-voter” provision, which requires states to offer people the opportunity to register to vote when they apply for or renew a driver’s license. Ohio fulfills this by first guiding an applicant through the driver’s license process before offering a separate voter registration process. Ohio argues its citizenship-proof requirement doesn’t conflict with that law, while the plaintiffs and Judge Ritz argue it does. That question remains before the 6th Circuit on the merits of Ohio’s appeal. The Ohio case is one of several nationwide over documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a related challenge, Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, over a similar Arizona law, with oral arguments scheduled for Dec. 8.
Related: States may have registered more than 30,000 self-identified noncitizens since 2000, Reuters reports - Elise Winland, Zeale News, September 24, 2026
OSV News
Catholics navigate new Illinois physician-assisted suicide law
By Simone Orendain, September 25, 2026
On May 10, 2022, Jozef Zalot’s father died. That morning, as his father received a morphine drip of 1 mg in a hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, a floor nurse said to him, “Joe, if you want, I can up the dose to get him over the hump.” “I turned, and I glared at her, and I said, ‘What did you just say to me?’ … and she backed up, just like that,” said Zalot. “I experienced this. And this is what people experience. It’s misplaced compassion.” Zalot, a bioethicist and director of education with the National Catholic Bioethics Center in the Philadelphia suburb of Broomall, said Massachusetts has not legalized physician-assisted suicide. Yet, even if only 13 states and the District of Columbia have legalized assisted suicide, the mindset he described is prevalent everywhere. “Many faithful Catholics don’t really know or don’t really understand what the Church teaches, or if they understand … they don’t understand why. That’s the first thing. … The second thing is to start to demonstrate to people, well, what happens when you legalize physician-assisted death?”
Aleteia
Blood drive grows with creative twist: They have a miraculous patron
By Jenny Lark Snarski, September 22, 2026
At 10:04 am on September 19, just before Mass for the Feast of St. Januarius began, the Cathedral of Naples, Italy, announced that the blood of their city’s principal patron had, indeed, liquefied once again. In anticipation of this recurring miracle, the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, said in a press release that, on September 19, it would begin its third annual diocese-wide blood drive. Beginning on the feast of St. Januarius, patron saint of blood banks, the collection will continue through December 16. That date of the recurring miracle marks the 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. According to legendary accounts, the lava flow was stopped by the 3rd-century martyr’s encapsulated blood. In very Catholic fashion, it's natural that this saint would now be the patron of blood banks. In 2025, 821 units of blood were collected, a 40% increase over the previous year, with 63 parishes and schools throughout the Diocese participating.
National Catholic Register
Ratzinger prize winner hailed by bishops, fellow theologians
By Jonah McKeown, September 24, 2026
Bishops and fellow theologians this week praised the life and legacy of John Cavadini, a University of Notre Dame theologian announced Tuesday as the recipient of the 2026 Ratzinger Prize, a prestigious award named for the late Pope Benedict XVI and commonly referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Theology.” Cavadini led the McGrath Institute for Church Life (MICL) at Notre Dame from 2000 until earlier this year, establishing the institute as a leading center for Catholic thought in the United States. Cavadini is also credited with transforming Notre Dame’s theology department, which he led from 1997 to 2010, revitalizing the program’s Catholic identity while also elevating its academic standing. “His scholarship, teaching, and faithful service have enriched the life of the Church at Notre Dame, in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, and beyond,” said Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana.
Zeale News
Benedictine wisdom to chart a path on migration
By David Uebbing, September 24, 2026
As much of the world grapples with multiple uncertainties ranging from technological advances to migration surges, Bishop Erik Varden, president of the Nordic Bishops’ Conference, drew upon his Benedictine spirituality to suggest a way that countries and individuals can build “a true society, where, in God’s name, all can build a life together.” Bishop Varden explained that the Rule of St. Benedict distinguishes between guests and those seeking to join the community. All “guests … must be received as if they were Christ himself. … A guest, however, will stay for a while, then leave, once he has been comforted and fortified,” he noted. But when it comes to “those who wish to enter and remain, those who would become citizens of the monastic microcosm, St. Benedict’s approach is different,” Bishop Varden explained. In this case, St. Benedict “urges that postulants’ motives be tested” by keeping them waiting for a while and telling them “all the ‘difficult and hard things’ community life entails” before they could commit to a “covenant of coexistence.”
The Pillar
Inadequate record-keeping, action to abuse complaints in Panama
By Michelle La Rosa, September 22, 2026
The Archdiocese of Panama is in need of significant new procedures to both prevent and respond to incidents of abuse, said an international research group in a new assessment. The assessment recommends improved procedures for listening to abuse victims, better record-keeping, reparation measures for victims, and clear codes of conduct. The evaluation was a pilot project for the Transparency Commission, an international group of experts on clerical abuse, which hopes to carry out similar assessments in other dioceses. The commission said there were 37 complaints of sexual abuse received by the Archdiocese of Panama from 2001 to 2025. The commission examined 24 of those complaints. The other complaints involved incidents outside of the archdiocese’s jurisdiction or the time period being considered, or did not involve the abuse of minors or vulnerable persons. The commission noted that there were likely more instances of ecclesial abuse that took place in the archdiocese during this time, but were not reported.
Zenit
Catholic sex education dispute: Parents and Hamburg bishop
By Joachin Meisner Hertz, September 24, 2026
A dispute over sex education in Catholic schools has escalated in Hamburg, where the archdiocese is continuing to implement its framework despite parents’ appeals to Rome. Internal emails advising staff not to engage with the critics have added a new layer to the conflict. The program, titled “Male, Female, Diverse,” was presented in June 2025 and began taking effect in August 2026 across the archdiocese’s 15 Catholic schools. It describes itself as contemporary, value-oriented, and scientifically grounded, and includes the acceptance of different sexual orientations and gender identities. A group calling itself the Parents’ Network for Child Protection and Prevention argues that aspects of the framework conflict with Christian anthropology and the Church’s teaching on sexuality, marriage, biological sex, and identity.
Keep informed - 9/25/26 news for Catholics
Snippets from Big Pulpit, EWTN, & the Loop
Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic site: September 25, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is a news aggregator that gathers quality insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide.
Leo’s Paris University Stop Blends Baptism Boom & Leo’s Favorite Spiritual Writing – OSV News
Leo’s Paris University Stop Blends Baptism Boom & Leo’s Favorite Spiritual Writing – OSV News
St. Francis of Assisi – A New Rule – David Torkington at Catholic Stand Magazine
St. Jerome on Christ Fulfilling the Priesthood of Melchizedek – J. Charles at Eternal Christendom
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — September 25, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the Holy Father's words and the Holy See.
Churchgoing Catholic couples trend the happiest, report finds - By Kate Quiñones - A report published by the Institute for Family Studies on Sept. 25 found that churchgoing Catholic couples are happier than other couples. In fact, happiness more than doubled among spouses who attend church compared with their peers.
Catholic Relief Services aid convoy comes under attack in Ethiopia - By Zoe Romanowsky - Catholic relief convoy attacked in Ethiopia, Kazakhstan abolishes death penalty, South African archbishop condemns killing of nine women, and more in this week’s Catholic world news roundup.
Financial professionals focus on aligning investment with Catholic social teaching at summit - By Amira Abuzeid - More than 100 financial professionals and clergy from various faiths gathered in New York City Sept. 16-17 to attend the second annual Catholic Faith Investor Summit organized around the theme “Empowering Catholic Leaders to Align Their Investments with Their Faith and Create Impact.”
The Loop
Zeale is CatholicVote, hosting the LOOP
Over half a million people receive the LOOP news rundown six days a week. Zeale is the new home of the LOOP. Zeale is a project of CatholicVote, America’s top Catholic advocacy organization leading the fight for faith, family, and freedom.
THE ROAD TO SAINTHOOD FOR FULTON SHEEN - Shortly before the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Bishop Louis Tylka, Monsignor Jason Gray, and Bonnie Engstrom of Peoria, Illinois, reflected on Sheen’s path to being called “Blessed” and looked ahead to his potential future canonization.
TRUMP ADMIN SEEKS SUPREME COURT RELIEF ON THIRD-COUNTRY DEPORTATION POLICY - The Trump administration will immediately seek Supreme Court relief after a federal appeals court blocked its current process for deporting illegal immigrants to third countries, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced yesterday. The dispute centers on whether people facing removal must first have a “meaningful opportunity” to raise fears of persecution or torture in their destination country.
WEDDING GUEST ETIQUETTE - As fall weddings kick into high gear, bridezillas aren’t the only people who can ruin a beautiful day. Be prepared to be a thoughtful, welcome guest with these tips for adding to, not detracting from, the joyous occasion.
September 25, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings
You can listen HERE — or read HERE:
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Catholic commentary:
Catholic365
Preview of Mel Gibson’s Fall of the Angels Scene
By Gary Sullivan, September 24, 2024
Mel Gibson’s long-expected The Resurrection of the Christ will open in theaters on May 6, 2027 (Part One) and May 25, 2028 (Part Two). Both dates fall on the traditional Thursday observance of the Ascension. Gibson has said that his story reaches back to the fall of the angels. That raises an irresistible question: how does a filmmaker show a rebellion among beings without bodies? Will it resemble a battle, a sudden plunge from heaven, or something stranger? For this scene, as with many in The Passion of the Christ, Gibson will most likely rely on three primary sources: Scripture, Sacred Art, and the Writings of a 19th-century mystic named Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich. No one has ever seriously tried to portray this angelic clash on film. Mel Gibson has spent the last 20 years meditating on this sequel to The Passion of the Christ and mulling over this opening scene in particular. It was said that crafting the sequence was so intense and disturbing on an IMAX screen that it caused Gibson to pause and rewrite it multiple times.
Catholic World Report
Astounding power of Padre Pio’s ministry, gifts, and trials
By Dawn Beutner, September 23, 2026
Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary defines a miracle as a “sensibly perceptible effect, surpassing at least the powers of visible nature, produced by God to witness to some truth or to testify to someone’s sanctity.” Why did God apparently choose to witness to this Italian priest's holiness through perceptible signs and wonders? Although he had zealously tried to avoid publicity, Padre Pio’s stigmata had made him famous. It would be nice to say that pilgrims to San Giovanni Rotondo were always polite and respectful when they came to the Capuchin church for Confession or Mass. But that would be a lie. Large crowds mobbed Padre Pio daily, loudly begging for his help. Witnesses admitted that it was like a circus. The many examples of apparent miracles help us understand why God granted Padre Pio gifts in the first place. It was not unreasonable to place restrictions on Padre Pio’s activities as he became famous.
The Catholic Gentleman
What wives don’t understand about husbands
By Devin Schadt, September 18, 2026
Instead of communicating when their needs aren't met, many husbands assume their wives will read their minds and “get it” eventually. We review Devin Schadt’s new book The Marriage Gap. However, many wives don’t know the needs of their husbands, but it is not their fault, husbands struggle to them too. Today we discuss the 4 core needs of every husband and give husbands the tools to communicate them effectively. We dig into how these affect men and how they can ultimately save your marriage.
The First Core Need: Respect
The Second Core Need: Beauty
The Third Core Need: Physical Intimacy
The Fourth Core Need: Partnership in Mission
Bishop Barron
Mystical faith stands at the heart of Christianity
By Bishop Robert Barron, September 25, 2026
Friends, today's Gospel is incomparably rich and mysterious. First, we notice that peculiar question, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” No other religious figure or founder would ask it. This is the primordial and peculiar question of the Christian faith. It concerns Jesus and who he is. The first group that “responds” is the general public: “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” A range of opinions—and all of them wrong. Then that devastating question: “But who do you say that I am?” You who are closest to me, you whom I have chosen. But the disciples don’t speak. Are they afraid? Perhaps. Are they ignorant? Probably. Simon Peter speaks: “The Christ of God.” You are the Messiah, the anointed, the long-awaited Savior; but more to it, you are the Son of God, not just a human hero. This mystical faith stands at the heart of Christianity. This is the point of standing or falling. To hold this Petrine faith is to be a Christian; to deny it is not to be a Christian.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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